Shloka 169

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

Devanagari script

अथाभिमुखम् आयान्तं नवभिर्नतपर्वभिः बाणैरनलकल्पाग्रैर् बिभिदुस्तारकं हृदि //

Transliteration

athābhimukham āyāntaṃ navabhirnataparvabhiḥ bāṇairanalakalpāgrair bibhidustārakaṃ hṛdi //

Translation

Then, as Tāraka advanced straight toward them, they pierced him in the heart with nine arrows, each with bent joints and blazing, fire-like tips.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• ābhimukham: facing, directly toward (them)

• āyāntam: coming, advancing

• navabhiḥ: with nine

• nata-parvabhiḥ: having bent joints/segments (of the shaft)

• bāṇaiḥ: with arrows

• anala-kalpa-agraiḥ: whose points were like fire (blazing, burning)

• bibhiduḥ: they split/pierced

• tārakam: Tāraka (the demon)

• hṛdi: in the heart

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Tāraka-vadha
• Battle narrative
• Martial imagery
• Puranic heroes

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a combat description emphasizing decisive, fiery force used against Tāraka.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that protecting order (dharma) may require firm action against destructive forces—an ideal often extended to righteous kingship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified here; the imagery is martial, focusing on arrows with “fire-like tips” and the piercing of the heart.