Shloka 124

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

Devanagari script

न सांप्रतं रणस्त्याज्यस् त्वया कातरभैरवः वर्धस्वाशु महामायां पुरंदर रिपुं प्रति //

Transliteration

na sāṃprataṃ raṇastyājyas tvayā kātarabhairavaḥ vardhasvāśu mahāmāyāṃ puraṃdara ripuṃ prati //

Translation

Now is not the time for you to abandon the battlefield, O timid and fearful one. Gather your strength at once and advance—bringing forth your great power of illusion—against the enemy of Purandara (Indra).

Word by Word

• na: not

• sāṃpratam: now, at this moment

• raṇaḥ: battle, warfare

• tyājyaḥ: to be abandoned, fit to be given up

• tvayā: by you

• kātara-bhairavaḥ: timid and fearful (one)

• vardhasva: grow strong, rouse yourself

• āśu: quickly, at once

• mahāmāyām: great māyā, mighty power of delusion/illusion

• puraṃdara: Purandara (Indra)

• ripum: enemy

• prati: towards, against

Speaker

• Unclear from single-verse excerpt (likely a commander/deity addressing an ally in a Deva–Asura conflict within Matsya Purana’s narrative sections).

Entities Mentioned

• Purandara (Indra)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• War
• Courage
• Deva-Asura
• Maya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is a direct martial exhortation emphasizing steadfastness and strategic force (including māyā) in conflict.

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

It aligns with rajadharma and kṣātra-dharma: one should not abandon a rightful duty out of fear, and leadership in conflict requires resolve, timely action, and effective strategy against threats.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the key takeaway is ethical and tactical—courage, urgency, and the deployment of power (mahāmāyā) against an adversary.