Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

दैत्येन्द्राः स्वैर्वधोपायैः शक्या हन्तुं हि नान्यतः दुर्जयस्तारको दैत्यो मुक्त्वा सप्तदिनं शिशुम् //

Transliteration

daityendrāḥ svairvadhopāyaiḥ śakyā hantuṃ hi nānyataḥ durjayastārako daityo muktvā saptadinaṃ śiśum //

Translation

The lords of the Dānavas can indeed be slain only by the very means ordained for their death—by no other way. And the hard-to-conquer demon Tāraka, too, could be overcome only after the child had been left unharmed for seven days.

Word by Word

• दैत्येन्द्राः: lords of the Daityas/demons

• स्वैः: by their own (appointed)

• वधोपायैः: means/methods of slaying

• शक्याः: are possible/are able (to be)

• हन्तुम्: to kill

• हि: indeed

• न अन्यतः: not otherwise/by no other means

• दुर्जयः: difficult to conquer

• तारकः: Tāraka (proper name)

• दैत्यः: demon/Daitya

• मुक्त्वा: having released/letting go/leaving aside

• सप्तदिनम्: for seven days

• शिशुम्: the child (infant).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame (narration about the Tāraka episode).

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas (Daitya-indras)
• Tāraka
• Śiśu (the child—contextually Skanda/Kumāra)

Tags

• Daitya
• Tāraka
• Skanda
• Divine-strategy
• Mythic-warfare

FAQs

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

It does not speak directly about Pralaya; it emphasizes cosmic law (niyati) that certain beings can be overcome only through specifically ordained conditions and means.

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

It implies a dharmic principle relevant to governance: success against powerful adversaries depends on right method and timing, not mere force—one must act according to appropriate upāya (strategy aligned with law and circumstance).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; the focus is on mythic conditions for slaying a daitya (Tāraka) and the seven-day condition involving the child.