Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

प्रमथाश्च महाशूरा दानवाश्च महाबलाः युयुधुर्निश्चला भूत्वा वज्रा इव महाचलैः //

Transliteration

pramathāśca mahāśūrā dānavāśca mahābalāḥ yuyudhurniścalā bhūtvā vajrā iva mahācalaiḥ //

Translation

The Pramathas—great heroes—and the Dānavas—mighty in strength—fought on, standing firm and unshaken, like the vajra striking against great mountains.

Word by Word

• प्रमथाः (pramathāḥ): the Pramathas (Śiva’s fierce attendants)

• च (ca): and

• महाशूराः (mahāśūrāḥ): very heroic, great warriors

• दानवाः (dānavāḥ): Danavas (a class of Asuras)

• च (ca): and

• महाबलाः (mahābalāḥ): very powerful, of great strength

• युयुधुः (yuyudhuḥ): they fought, battled

• निश्चलाः (niścalāḥ): unmoving, steadfast

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become, remaining

• वज्राः (vajrāḥ): thunderbolts, diamond-hard weapons

• इव (iva): like

• महाचलैः (mahācalaiḥ): with great mountains (i.e., against/among great mountains—image of immovability).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relating the battle episode within the Matsya Purana’s continuous narration

Entities Mentioned

• Pramathas
• Danavas

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Puranic Battles
• Shaiva Ganas
• Danavas
• Epic Imagery

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it uses cosmic-scale imagery (vajra and mountains) to portray unwavering combatants, reinforcing the Purana’s theme of maintaining order through decisive conflict.

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

By praising steadiness and resolve under pressure, the verse implicitly supports the dharmic ideal of firmness (dhṛti) in one’s duty—whether a king in protection and war, or a householder in disciplined perseverance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the only technical element is poetic comparison—‘vajra’ and ‘mountains’—used to communicate immovability and strength rather than temple-building guidance.