Shloka 157

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

Devanagari script

स जैत्रं रथमास्थाय सहस्रेण गरुत्मताम् संरम्भाद्दानवेन्द्रस्तु सुरै रणमुखे गतः //

Transliteration

sa jaitraṃ rathamāsthāya sahasreṇa garutmatām saṃrambhāddānavendrastu surai raṇamukhe gataḥ //

Translation

Mounting his victory-chariot, and accompanied by a thousand Garuḍa-bearers, the lord of the Dānavas—fired with battle-fury—advanced to the very front of the battlefield against the gods.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• जैत्रम् (jaitram): victory-bringing, triumphant

• रथम् (ratham): chariot

• आस्थाय (āsthāya): having mounted, having taken to

• सहस्रेण (sahasreṇa): with a thousand

• गरुत्मताम् (garutmatām): of Garuḍa-like (winged) ones / Garuḍa-bearers

• संरम्भात् (saṃrambhāt): from impetuosity, from battle-rage

• दानवेन्द्रः (dānavendraḥ): the king/lord of the Dānavas

• तु (tu): indeed

• सुरैः (suraiḥ): with/against the gods

• रणमुखे (raṇamukhe): at the battle-front, at the forefront of combat

• गतः (gataḥ): went, advanced.

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice describing the battle episode within the Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavendra (lord of the Dānavas)
• Suras (the gods)
• Garutmat (Garuḍa-like/winged beings)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Puranic warfare
• Mythic chariot
• Daitya-Dānava
• Battle narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a Deva–Dānava battle scene, emphasizing martial momentum and the advance to the battle-front (raṇamukha).

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of decisive leadership in conflict: the leader (here, the Dānava king) takes the front line, illustrating the theme of command, courage, and readiness—qualities often contrasted with dhārmic kingship elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the technical focus is on war imagery—victory-chariot (jaitra ratha) and the battle-front (raṇamukha).