Shloka 132

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

Devanagari script

तैरस्त्रैर्दानवैर्मुक्तैर् देवानीकेषु भीषणैः बाहुभिर्धरणिः पूर्णा शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः //

Transliteration

tairastrairdānavairmuktair devānīkeṣu bhīṣaṇaiḥ bāhubhirdharaṇiḥ pūrṇā śirobhiśca sakuṇḍalaiḥ //

Translation

By those dreadful missiles released by the Dānavas against the hosts of the gods, the earth was filled with severed arms—and with heads still bearing their earrings.

Word by Word

• taiḥ: by those

• astraiḥ: weapons, missiles

• dānavaiḥ: by the Dānavas (demons)

• muktaiḥ: released, discharged

• deva-anīkeṣu: upon the armies/hosts of the gods

• bhīṣaṇaiḥ: terrible, fearsome

• bāhubhiḥ: with arms

• dharaṇī: the earth

• pūrṇā: filled

• śirobhiḥ: with heads

• ca: and

• sakuṇḍalaiḥ: with earrings (still on them)

Speaker

• Sūta (Paurāṇika narrator) describing the battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Dānava
• Deva
• Devānīka
• Astra

Tags

• Battle
• Daitya-Dānava
• Devas
• Astra
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it depicts battlefield devastation—an image of destruction caused by demonic weapons in war.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the horrors of adharma-driven violence and war, implying that rulers should restrain cruelty, protect armies and subjects, and avoid reckless conflict.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is strictly a martial description emphasizing the grim consequences of combat.