Shloka 74

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

Devanagari script

विशान्तयामास यथा सदैव निशाकरः संचितशार्वरं तमः ततो ऽपकृष्टे च तमःप्रभावे अस्त्रप्रभावे च विवर्धमाने //

Transliteration

viśāntayāmāsa yathā sadaiva niśākaraḥ saṃcitaśārvaraṃ tamaḥ tato 'pakṛṣṭe ca tamaḥprabhāve astraprabhāve ca vivardhamāne //

Translation

As the moon ever soothes and dispels the darkness amassed through the night, so too—when the power of darkness was driven back—the radiance and potency of the weapons continually increased.

Word by Word

• विशान्तयामास: caused to subside, calmed, dispelled

• यथा: just as

• सदैव: always, ever

• निशाकरः: the moon (night-maker/holder of night)

• संचित: accumulated, gathered

• शार्वरम्: belonging to the night, nocturnal

• तमः: darkness

• ततः: then, thereafter

• अपकृष्टे: when drawn away, when repelled

• च: and

• तमःप्रभावे: the power/effect of darkness

• अस्त्रप्रभावे: the power/effect (radiance, efficacy) of weapons (astrās)

• च: and

• विवर्धमाने: increasing, growing, intensifying.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the scene (battle/narrative voice; not a direct Matsya–Manu instruction verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Niśākara (Moon)

Tags

• Astras
• Battle imagery
• Light vs darkness
• Puranic poetics
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

It does not directly teach Pralaya doctrine; it uses a cosmic image (the moon dispersing night-darkness) as a simile for darkness being repelled and a radiant power rising—symbolically echoing restoration of order rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports a dharmic ethic: when confusion and ‘darkness’ (adharma) are restrained, rightful power and clarity increase—an ideal for kingship (restoring order) and household discipline (removing inner tamas).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears; the verse is primarily poetic-narrative, using lunar imagery and the technical term astra-prabhāva (weapon potency) rather than temple-building or rite procedures.