Shloka 171

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

Devanagari script

जगद्धरणसम्भूतैः शल्यैरिव पुरःसरैः ततो ऽच्छिन्नं शरव्रातं संग्रामे मुमुचुः सुराः //

Transliteration

jagaddharaṇasambhūtaiḥ śalyairiva puraḥsaraiḥ tato 'cchinnaṃ śaravrātaṃ saṃgrāme mumucuḥ surāḥ //

Translation

Then, in the thick of battle, the gods released an unbroken volley of arrows—like spear-like stakes born of the World-Bearer’s power—flying foremost in front.

Word by Word

• जगद्धरण-सम्भूतैः: born from the power/force of the world-bearer (Vishnu, or the sustaining cosmic power)

• शल्यैः: with stakes/spears, piercing missiles

• इव: like/as if

• पुरःसरैः: going in front, leading the charge

• ततः: then

• अच्छिन्नम्: unbroken, uninterrupted

• शर-व्रातम्: a multitude/stream of arrows

• संग्रामे: in battle

• मुमुचुः: they released/let fly

• सुराः: the gods (devas).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle (likely within the broader dialogue framework of the Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Suras (Devas)
• Jagaddhara (World-Bearer, commonly Vishnu as cosmic sustainer)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Battle narrative
• Divine weapons
• Puranic imagery
• Heroic poetry

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe pralaya; it uses cosmic language (“Jagaddhara,” the World-Bearer) to intensify a war-scene, implying divine, world-sustaining power behind the devas’ weapons.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of steadfast resolve in righteous conflict: an “unbroken” effort (acchinna śaravrāta) suggests disciplined, continuous action—an ethical motif often applied to kingship (protecting order) rather than household ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual procedure appears; the verse is martial-poetic, focusing on missile imagery (śalya, śara) rather than temple-building or rites.