Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult, Shloka 12

Devanagari script

पतितं सेनयोर्मध्ये निरीक्षन्ते परस्परम् ततो ध्वजैर्भुजैश्छत्त्रैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः //

Transliteration

patitaṃ senayormadhye nirīkṣante parasparam tato dhvajairbhujaiśchattraiḥ śirobhiśca sakuṇḍalaiḥ //

Translation

Fallen between the two armies, they looked upon one another. Then the ground was strewn with banners, severed arms, parasols of state, and heads still adorned with earrings.

Word by Word

• पतितम्: fallen, lying prostrate

• सेनयोः मध्ये: between the two armies

• निरीक्षन्ते: they behold, observe

• परस्परम्: each other, mutually

• ततः: then, thereafter

• ध्वजैः: with banners/standards

• भुजैः: with arms

• छत्त्रैः: with parasols (royal umbrellas)

• शिरोभिः: with heads

• च: and

• सकुण्डलैः: with earrings (still wearing ornaments)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing the scene

Tags

• Battlefield
• Dynasties
• War narrative
• Kshatriya dharma
• Itihasa-style description

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a graphic battlefield depiction emphasizing impermanence and the devastating cost of conflict rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By highlighting the carnage—fallen bodies, royal insignia like parasols, and severed limbs—it implicitly cautions rulers about the grave consequences of warfare, aligning with Kshatriya responsibility to wage war only when justified by dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the key markers are royal emblems (dhvaja, chattra) used to identify status on the battlefield, not ritual or construction procedure.