Shloka 102

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

Devanagari script

ततः प्रतिहतः सो ऽथ दैत्येन्द्रः प्रतिभानवान् वारुणास्त्रं मुमोचाथ शमनं पावकार्चिषाम् //

Transliteration

tataḥ pratihataḥ so 'tha daityendraḥ pratibhānavān vāruṇāstraṃ mumocātha śamanaṃ pāvakārciṣām //

Translation

Then, being repelled, that brilliant lord of the Dānavas released the Varuṇa weapon, a countermeasure meant to quell the blazing flames of fire.

Word by Word

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• प्रतिहतः (pratihataḥ): repulsed, checked

• सः (saḥ): he

• अथ (atha): then

• दैत्येन्द्रः (daityendraḥ): lord of the Daityas/demons

• प्रतिभानवान् (pratibhānavān): brilliant, resourceful

• वारुणास्त्रम् (vāruṇāstram): the Varuṇa missile/weapon (water, rain, oceanic force)

• मुमोच (mumoca): released, discharged

• अथ (atha): then

• शमनम् (śamanam): pacification, quelling

• पावकार्चिषाम् (pāvakārciṣām): of the flames/sparks of fire (Agni’s blaze).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battle events (narrative voice within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityendra (lord of the Daityas)
• Varuṇa (implied by Vāruṇāstra)
• Agni / Pāvaka (implied by pāvakārciṣ)

Tags

• Astras
• Puranic battle
• Varuṇāstra
• Agni
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it uses the elemental logic of water countering fire through the Vāruṇāstra, echoing Purāṇic ideas of balancing elemental forces.

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

Indirectly, it models prudent strategy: when opposed, one should apply an appropriate countermeasure (upāya) rather than brute force—an ethic echoed in Purāṇic counsel on governance and self-control.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual subtext is astravidyā—invoked divine forces where Varuṇa’s watery power is employed to pacify Agni’s flames.