Shloka 148
Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations
तदवस्थान्हरिर्दृष्ट्वा देवाञ्छक्रमुवाच ह ब्रह्मास्त्रं स्मर देवेन्द्र यस्यावध्यो न विद्यते विष्णुना चोदितः शक्रः सस्मारास्त्रं महौजसम् //
tadavasthānharirdṛṣṭvā devāñchakramuvāca ha brahmāstraṃ smara devendra yasyāvadhyo na vidyate viṣṇunā coditaḥ śakraḥ sasmārāstraṃ mahaujasam //
Seeing the gods in that predicament, Hari (Viṣṇu) spoke to Śakra (Indra): “O lord of the gods, remember and invoke the Brahmāstra; there is none who cannot be slain by it.” Thus urged by Viṣṇu, Śakra recalled and readied that exceedingly powerful weapon.
FAQs
This verse does not describe pralaya; it depicts a crisis in a divine conflict where Viṣṇu directs Indra to invoke the Brahmāstra, emphasizing divine protection rather than cosmic dissolution.
By analogy, it models dharmic leadership: when overwhelmed, a ruler should act decisively under wise counsel, using the strongest legitimate means available to restore order—power guided by higher righteousness (here, Viṣṇu’s direction).
Architectural rules are not discussed; the ritual takeaway is the concept of “smara” (remembrance/invocation) of an astra—suggesting mantric, authorized activation of sacred power rather than mere physical weaponry.