Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

तारकस्याभवत्केतू रौद्रः कनकभूषणः केतुना मकरेणापि सेनानीर् ग्रसनो ऽरिहा //

Transliteration

tārakasyābhavatketū raudraḥ kanakabhūṣaṇaḥ ketunā makareṇāpi senānīr grasano 'rihā //

Translation

Tāraka had a standard-bearer named Ketu—fierce by nature and adorned with golden ornaments. And with Ketu there was also Makara, a commander of the army—Grasana, the slayer of foes.

Word by Word

• तारकस्य (tārakasya): of Tāraka

• अभवत् (abhavat): there was/there arose

• केतुः (ketuḥ): Ketu (also: banner/standard)

• रौद्रः (raudraḥ): fierce, terrible

• कनक-भूषणः (kanaka-bhūṣaṇaḥ): adorned with gold ornaments

• केतुना (ketunā): with Ketu

• मकरেণ (makareṇa): with Makara (name

• अपि (api): also

• सेनानीः (senānīḥ): army-commander/general

• ग्रसनः (grasanaḥ): Grasana (name

• अरिहा (arihā): slayer of enemies.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing the adversarial host

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Ketu
• Makara
• Grasana

Tags

• Asura genealogy
• War-epithets
• Puranic narrative
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Martial titles

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a genealogical/military catalogue describing Tāraka’s associates and their titles.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic emphasis on organized polity and warfare—identifying commanders (senānī) and roles (standard-bearer), which parallels a king’s duty to maintain a structured army and leadership hierarchy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/ritual procedure is stated; the verse focuses on names, ranks, and epithets within a martial narrative.