Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

कश्चित्स्त्रीवध्यतां प्राप्तो वधे ऽन्यस्य कुमारिका जम्भस्तु वध्यतां प्राप्तो दानवः क्रूरविक्रमः //

Transliteration

kaścitstrīvadhyatāṃ prāpto vadhe 'nyasya kumārikā jambhastu vadhyatāṃ prāpto dānavaḥ krūravikramaḥ //

Translation

In one case, a person condemned to death for killing a woman is, in the execution, replaced by the maiden (daughter) of another. And Jambha too—the Dānava of fierce prowess—is sentenced to death.

Word by Word

• kaścit: someone/a certain person

• strī-vadhyatām: to the state of being punishable for killing a woman (liable to death)

• prāptaḥ: has come to/has incurred

• vadhe: in the execution/in the act of killing

• anyasya: of another (person)

• kumārikā: a maiden/young girl

• jambhaḥ: Jambha (a named demon)

• tu: and/indeed

• vadhyatām: to be slain/to be executed

• prāptaḥ: has incurred

• dānavaḥ: a Dānava (demon, descendant of Danu)

• krūra-vikramaḥ: of cruel/fierce valor

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting a dharma/karma discourse within Matsya Purana (likely framed as instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambha

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Karmaphala
• Punishment
• Ethics
• Naraka

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on karmic-legal consequences and the notion of execution/punishment, including the named demon Jambha.

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

It aligns with Rajadharma themes: wrongdoing (especially violence against women) is treated as a grave offense warranting severe penalty; it also hints at the complexity of judgment—warning rulers to apply dharma carefully and not allow unjust substitution in punishment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical-judicial rather than architectural.