Shloka 144

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

Devanagari script

तत शक्रो धनेशश्च वरुणः पवनो ऽनलः यमो ऽपि निरृतिश्चापि दिव्यास्त्राणि महाबलाः //

Transliteration

tata śakro dhaneśaśca varuṇaḥ pavano 'nalaḥ yamo 'pi nirṛtiścāpi divyāstrāṇi mahābalāḥ //

Translation

Then Indra, Kubera, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Agni, Yama, and Nirṛti also came forth; and the mighty divine weapons as well, endowed with great power.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• śakraḥ: Śakra (Indra)

• dhaneśaḥ: Dhaneśa (Kubera, lord of wealth)

• ca: and

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa (lord of waters)

• pavanaḥ: Pavana (Vāyu, wind-god)

• analaḥ: Anala (Agni, fire)

• yamaḥ: Yama (lord of death, dharma-judge)

• api: also

• nirṛtiḥ: Nirṛti (deity/direction of dissolution and adversity, southwest)

• ca api: and also

• divyāstrāṇi: divine missiles/weapons (astra)

• mahābalāḥ: very powerful/mighty.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana episode to the sages, describing the divine assembly around the Pralaya account)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Dhaneśa (Kubera)
• Varuṇa
• Pavana (Vāyu)
• Anala (Agni)
• Yama
• Nirṛti
• Divyāstras (divine weapons)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Divine Assembly
• Protection
• Devas
• Astra

FAQs

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

It depicts a Pralaya-context mobilization: major deities and even “divine weapons” are presented as assembling with great power, implying cosmic-level intervention and protection during dissolution.

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

By showing Yama (moral judge) and the guardians of directions/powers joining the divine effort, the verse reinforces that dharma and order are upheld even in crisis—an implicit model for rulers and householders to preserve discipline and righteous conduct under adversity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-construction rule is stated; ritually, the verse highlights the Purāṇic idea that devas and astras are invoked/acknowledged as protective forces—supporting protective rites (śānti, rakṣā) rather than architectural specifications.