Shloka 152

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तु तस्यास्त्रवराभिमन्त्रितः शरो ऽर्धचन्द्रप्रतिमो महारणे पुरंदरस्यासनबन्धुतां गतो नवार्कबिम्बं वपुषा विडम्बयन् //

Transliteration

tatastu tasyāstravarābhimantritaḥ śaro 'rdhacandrapratimo mahāraṇe puraṃdarasyāsanabandhutāṃ gato navārkabimbaṃ vapuṣā viḍambayan //

Translation

Then, in that great battle, an arrow—consecrated with the finest weapon-mantras—shaped like a half-moon, struck Purandara (Indra) so that he fell into helpless bondage upon his seat; and by its splendor it seemed to mock the disc of the newly risen sun.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tu: indeed/and

• tasya: of him/of that (warrior)

• astra-vara-abhimantritaḥ: empowered/consecrated by excellent weapon-mantras

• śaraḥ: arrow

• ardha-candra-pratimaḥ: resembling a half-moon

• mahā-raṇe: in the great battle

• puraṃdarasya: of Purandara (Indra)

• āsana-bandhutām: the state of being bound/fastened to the seat (throne), helplessly fixed

• gataḥ: went/was brought (to that condition)

• nava-arka-bimbam: the orb/disk of the new (rising) sun

• vapuṣā: by (its) body/splendor/appearance

• viḍambayan: eclipsing/mocking/outshining.

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (epic-style narration within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic-battle account)

Entities Mentioned

• Purandara (Indra)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Battle
• Astras
• Indra
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a martial scene where a mantra-empowered arrow overwhelms Indra, emphasizing the Purana’s heroic-battle imagery rather than cosmology.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kshatriya ethic found in Puranic narratives: mastery of astras (consecrated weapons), disciplined warfare, and the idea that even divine kings like Indra can be checked by superior merit or mantra-power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual element is the abhimantṛaṇa (mantric consecration) of a weapon—showing how mantra-vidhi is applied to action—though no Vastu or temple-building rule is stated in this particular verse.