Shloka 101

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

तस्मिन्प्रतिहते चास्त्रे पावकास्त्रं व्यजृम्भत जज्वाल कायं जम्भस्य सरथं च ससारथिम् //

Transliteration

tasminpratihate cāstre pāvakāstraṃ vyajṛmbhata jajvāla kāyaṃ jambhasya sarathaṃ ca sasārathim //

Translation

When that weapon had been checked, the Fire-weapon, the Pāvakāstra, flared forth; it set Jambha’s body ablaze—together with his chariot and his charioteer.

Word by Word

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that (situation)

• प्रतिहते (pratihate): when repelled/warded off

• च (ca): and

• अस्त्रे (astre): the weapon/missile

• पावकास्त्रम् (pāvakāstram): the Fire-weapon (astra of Agni)

• व्यजृम्भत (vyajṛmbhata): burst forth, expanded, manifested powerfully

• जज्वाल (jajvāla): blazed, burned

• कायम् (kāyam): body

• जम्भस्य (jambhasya): of Jambha

• सरथम् (sa-ratham): along with the chariot

• च (ca): and

• ससारथिम् (sa-sārathim): along with the charioteer

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battle episode (within the Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Pāvakāstra
• Agni (implied by Pāvaka)
• Jambha

Tags

• Astra
• Battle
• Agni
• Mythic warfare
• Purāṇic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a combat sequence where a repelled weapon is followed by the deployment of the Fire-weapon (Pāvakāstra), emphasizing the Purāṇic theme of escalating astras rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra (royal/warrior) ethic found across the Matsya Purāṇa: when one means is neutralized, a protector must respond decisively with an appropriate countermeasure—here portrayed through the disciplined use of astras in battle.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its ritual subtext is the concept of mantra-empowered astras (divine missiles) associated with deities like Agni, illustrating how sacred power is invoked for specific effects.