Shloka 127

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

Devanagari script

ततो नारायणास्त्रं तत् पपातासुरवक्षसि महास्त्रभिन्नहृदयः सुस्राव रुधिरं च सः //

Transliteration

tato nārāyaṇāstraṃ tat papātāsuravakṣasi mahāstrabhinnahṛdayaḥ susrāva rudhiraṃ ca saḥ //

Translation

Then that Nārāyaṇa-missile fell upon the demon’s chest; his heart, split by the mighty weapon, he poured forth blood.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• nārāyaṇa-astraṃ: the Nārāyaṇa weapon/missile

• tat: that

• papāta: fell/struck

• asura-vakṣasi: on the demon’s chest

• mahā-astra: a great weapon

• bhinna-hṛdayaḥ: with heart split/cleft

• susrāva: flowed out/poured forth

• rudhiram: blood

• ca: and

• saḥ: he (the demon)

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu, implied by Nārāyaṇāstra)
• Asura (demon, unnamed)

Tags

• Astravidya
• Battle narrative
• Vishnu weapons
• Dharma victory
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it highlights divine intervention through the Nārāyaṇāstra, a motif often used in Purāṇas to show cosmic order (dharma) reasserting itself when threatened by asuric forces.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical frame: rulers must protect society by restraining violent, destructive forces (symbolized by the asura), using proportionate power and righteous intent—mirroring the ideal of danda (just punishment) guided by dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; its ritual takeaway is symbolic—invoking Nārāyaṇa and his astras in stotra/recitation traditions as emblems of protection and the removal of obstructive, hostile forces.