Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — The Battle at Tripura: Shiva’s Strategy

Devanagari script

तथा वृक्षशिलावज्रशूलपट्टिपरश्वधैः चूर्ण्यन्ते ऽभिहता दैत्याः काचाष्टङ्कहता इव //

Transliteration

tathā vṛkṣaśilāvajraśūlapaṭṭiparaśvadhaiḥ cūrṇyante 'bhihatā daityāḥ kācāṣṭaṅkahatā iva //

Translation

So too, the Daityas—struck down—were pulverized by trees, rocks, thunderbolts, spears, clubs, and axes, like glass shattered by a stone-cutter’s tool.

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/so too

• vṛkṣa: trees

• śilā: rocks/stones

• vajra: thunderbolt/adamant weapon

• śūla: spear/pike

• paṭṭi: club/bludgeon

• paraśvadha(iḥ): axes (instrumental plural)

• cūrṇyante: are crushed/pounded into powder

• abhihatāḥ: struck/smitten

• daityāḥ: Daityas/demons

• kāca: glass

• aṣṭaṅka: stone-cutter’s chisel/pick (tool for striking)

• hatāḥ: struck

• iva: as if/like

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) describing the battle episode (likely within a narrated dialogue chain)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas

Tags

• Daitya-vadha
• Battle imagery
• Weapons
• Puranic warfare
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses violent, crushing imagery to depict the destruction of Daityas in battle, emphasizing irresistible force rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s ethic that adharmic forces (symbolized by Daityas) must be restrained; for kings, it reinforces the kshatriya duty to protect society and uphold dharma through decisive action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is taught here; the only technical note is the simile of glass shattered by a craftsman’s striking tool, reflecting material-craft imagery rather than temple architecture rules.