Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Burning of Tripura and Rudra’s Victory

Devanagari script

वज्राहताः पतन्त्यन्ये बाणैरन्ये विदारिताः अन्ये विदारिताश्चक्रैः पतन्ति ह्युदधेर्जले //

Transliteration

vajrāhatāḥ patantyanye bāṇairanye vidāritāḥ anye vidāritāścakraiḥ patanti hyudadherjale //

Translation

Some, struck down by the thunderbolt, fall; others are torn apart by arrows; and still others, rent by the discus, plunge indeed into the waters of the ocean.

Word by Word

• वज्र-आहताः (vajrāhatāḥ): struck by the thunderbolt

• पतन्ति (patanti): fall, plunge down

• अन्ये (anye): others

• बाणैः (bāṇaiḥ): by arrows

• विदारिताः (vidāritāḥ): split, torn, rent asunder

• चक्रैः (cakraiḥ): by discuses (cakra-weapons)

• हि (hi): indeed, surely

• उदधेः (udadheḥ): of the ocean

• जले (jale): into the water

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s account; battle description within the Adhyaya)

Entities Mentioned

• Vajra
• Bāṇa (arrows)
• Cakra (discus)
• Udadhi (ocean)

Tags

• Pralaya
• DivineWeapons
• OceanBattle
• PuranicWarfare
• VishnuIconography

FAQs

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

It presents pralaya-era imagery of overwhelming destruction: beings or warriors are struck by divine weapons and cast into the ocean, emphasizing the irresistible force that accompanies cosmic upheaval.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that power and violence are transient and subject to higher law (daiva/dharma); kings and householders are thus urged to act within dharma rather than pride in strength.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; however, the explicit mention of the cakra (discus) is relevant to Vaiṣṇava iconography used in temple imagery and consecration contexts.