Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

मया गुप्तो रणे जम्भं जगत्कण्टकमुद्धर तद्वैकुण्ठवचः श्रुत्वा सहस्राक्षो ऽमरारिहा //

Transliteration

mayā gupto raṇe jambhaṃ jagatkaṇṭakamuddhara tadvaikuṇṭhavacaḥ śrutvā sahasrākṣo 'marārihā //

Translation

“Protected by me in battle, go and uproot Jambha—the thorn of the world.” Hearing these words of Vaikuṇṭha (Viṣṇu), Indra of the thousand eyes, slayer of the gods’ foes, set forth to act.

Word by Word

• mayā: by me

• guptaḥ: protected/guarded

• raṇe: in battle

• jambham: Jambha (a demon/Daitya)

• jagat-kaṇṭakam: the thorn/scourge of the world

• uddhara: uproot/remove/destroy

• tat: those

• vaikuṇṭha-vacaḥ: the words of Vaikuṇṭha (Viṣṇu)

• śrutvā: having heard

• sahasrākṣaḥ: the thousand-eyed one (Indra)

• amara-arihā: slayer of the enemies of the immortals (gods)

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing Viṣṇu’s command and Indra’s response

Entities Mentioned

• Vaikuṇṭha (Viṣṇu)
• Indra (Sahasrākṣa)
• Jambha

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Indra
• Vishnu command
• Protection
• World-protection (lokasaṃgraha)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it presents a protective, world-sustaining act (lokasaṃgraha), where Viṣṇu empowers Indra to remove a demonic threat described as the “thorn of the world.”

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

It mirrors the kṣatriya/kingly duty to protect society: like Indra acting under divine counsel, a ruler should remove sources of oppression and disorder while relying on righteous guidance and protection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its key takeaway is theological and ethical—divine sanction for removing adharma that harms the world.