Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

आहुश्च युद्धे मा भैषीः क्व यास्यसि मृतो ह्यसि प्रहराशु स्थितो ऽस्म्यत्र एहि दर्शय पौरुषम् //

Transliteration

āhuśca yuddhe mā bhaiṣīḥ kva yāsyasi mṛto hyasi praharāśu sthito 'smyatra ehi darśaya pauruṣam //

Translation

And they said in battle: “Do not be afraid! Where will you go? You are as good as dead. Strike quickly—I am standing right here. Come, show your manly valor!”

Word by Word

• āhuḥ/āhuś: they said

• ca: and

• yuddhe: in battle

• mā: do not

• bhaiṣīḥ: fear (2nd sg.)

• kva: where

• yāsyasi: will you go

• mṛtaḥ: dead

• hi: indeed/for

• asi: you are

• prahara: strike!

• āśu: quickly

• sthitaḥ: standing

• asmi: I am

• atra: here

• ehi: come!

• darśaya: show/demonstrate

• pauruṣam: manliness, heroism, valor

Speaker

• Unspecified warriors/opponents (battle-taunt; speaker not explicitly identified in the given shloka)

Tags

• Yuddha
• Virya
• Dharma
• Heroic speech
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss creation or pralaya; it is a battlefield taunt urging immediate combat and the display of valor.

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

It reflects the kṣatriya-ideal emphasized in Purāṇic ethics: courage (abhaya), steadfastness, and readiness to face conflict without retreat when duty requires it.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the focus is purely martial—challenge, fearlessness, and pauruṣa (heroic prowess).