Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

ये चेन्द्ररथमुख्याश् च हरयो ऽपहृतासुरैः जाताश्च दानवानां ते रथयोग्यास्तुरंगमाः //

Transliteration

ye cendrarathamukhyāś ca harayo 'pahṛtāsuraiḥ jātāśca dānavānāṃ te rathayogyāsturaṃgamāḥ //

Translation

And those excellent steeds that once drew Indra’s foremost chariot—having been seized by the Asuras and then born among the Dānavas—became horses fit for the yoking of chariots.

Word by Word

• ये (ye): those who/which

• च (ca): and

• इन्द्र-रथ-मुख्याः (indra-ratha-mukhyāḥ): foremost (steeds) of Indra’s chariot

• हरयः (harayaḥ): bay steeds/horses

• अपहृताः (apahṛtāḥ): carried off, abducted

• असुरैः (asuraiḥ): by the Asuras

• जाताः (jātāḥ): born, arisen

• च (ca): and

• दानवानाम् (dānavānām): among/of the Dānavas

• ते (te): those

• रथ-योग्याः (ratha-yogyāḥ): fit to be yoked to a chariot

• तुरंगमाः (turaṃgamāḥ): horses, swift-goers.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting Purāṇic history within the Matsya Purana’s discourse framework

Entities Mentioned

• Indra
• Asuras
• Dānavas

Tags

• Deva-Asura
• Mythic Genealogy
• Indra
• Chariot Culture
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on mythic-historical transmission of divine resources (Indra’s chariot-horses) into Asura/Dānava lineages, emphasizing continuity of beings across factions rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic view that power (such as superior war-horses) can shift hands through conflict and fate; for kings, it underscores vigilance in protecting royal assets and the strategic importance of cavalry and chariotry.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified here; the technical point is martial—horses described as “ratha-yogya” (fit for chariot-yoking), relevant to royal warfare logistics rather than temple architecture.