Shloka 178

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

Devanagari script

दशभिर्मारुतं मूर्ध्नि यमं दशभिरेव च धनदं चैव सप्तत्या वरुणं च तथाष्टभिः //

Transliteration

daśabhirmārutaṃ mūrdhni yamaṃ daśabhireva ca dhanadaṃ caiva saptatyā varuṇaṃ ca tathāṣṭabhiḥ //

Translation

With ten arrows he struck Maruta (Vāyu) upon the head; with ten likewise Yama; with seventy, Dhanada (Kubera); and with eight, Varuṇa as well.

Word by Word

• daśabhiḥ: with ten (units/measures)

• mārutam: Maruta/Vāyu (wind-deity)

• mūrdhni: on the head (top portion)

• yamam: Yama (lord of restraint/death, guardian of the south)

• daśabhiḥ eva ca: with ten indeed also

• dhanadam: Dhanada, the giver of wealth (Kubera)

• ca eva: and indeed

• saptatyā: with seventy (units/measures)

• varuṇam: Varuṇa (lord of waters, guardian of the west)

• ca tathā: and likewise

• aṣṭabhiḥ: with eight (units/measures)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Maruta (Vayu)
• Yama
• Dhanada (Kubera)
• Varuna

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Deva-sthapana
• Iconography
• Ritual measurements

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it preserves technical Vastu/Iconography instruction—how specific deities are assigned to locations and numerical measures within a sacred layout.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of patrons (kings/householders) to commission temples and images correctly—following prescribed placements and measures so worship is ritually valid and auspicious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives measurement-based placement (a kind of nyāsa) for installing/assigning Maruta at the head region and allocating Yama, Kubera (Dhanada), and Varuṇa by stated numerical units—guidance used in temple planning and icon installation.