Shloka 145

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

Devanagari script

आकाशे मुमुचुः सर्वे दानवानभिसंध्य ते अस्त्राणि व्यर्थतां जग्मुर् देवानां दानवान्प्रति //

Transliteration

ākāśe mumucuḥ sarve dānavānabhisaṃdhya te astrāṇi vyarthatāṃ jagmur devānāṃ dānavānprati //

Translation

Aiming at the Dānavas, they all discharged their missiles into the sky; yet those weapons, hurled by the Devas against the Dānavas, came to nothing and proved futile.

Word by Word

• ākāśe: in the sky

• mumucuḥ: released, discharged

• sarve: all

• dānavān: the Dānavas (demons)

• abhisaṃdhya: aiming at, taking aim against

• te: they

• astrāṇi: missiles, supernatural weapons

• vyarthatām: fruitlessness, ineffectiveness

• jagmuḥ: went, became

• devānām: of the Devas, by the Devas

• dānavān prati: against the Dānavas

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting the battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Dānavas
• Astras

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Astras
• Combat narrative
• Divine power
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it illustrates a cosmic battle motif where even divine weapons can become ineffective, implying that outcomes depend on higher destiny, boons, or divine ordinance rather than force alone.

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

Indirectly, it supports a key Purāṇic ethic for rulers: victory is not guaranteed by weapons alone; strategy, righteousness (dharma), and the legitimacy of one’s cause are decisive—warning kings against overreliance on mere force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is on astras in warfare, not temple-building or consecration rites.