Shloka 179

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

Devanagari script

विंशत्या निरृतिं दैत्यः पुनश्चाष्टाभिरेव च विव्याध पुनरेकैकं दशभिर्दशभिः शरैः //

Transliteration

viṃśatyā nirṛtiṃ daityaḥ punaścāṣṭābhireva ca vivyādha punarekaikaṃ daśabhirdaśabhiḥ śaraiḥ //

Translation

The Daitya pierced Nirṛti with twenty arrows, and again with eight more; then once more he struck each of the others individually with ten arrows apiece.

Word by Word

• viṃśatyā: with twenty

• nirṛtim: Nirṛti (a deity/personification)

• daityaḥ: the Daitya (demon)

• punaḥ ca: and again

• aṣṭābhiḥ eva ca: with eight indeed, also

• vivyādha: pierced, wounded

• punaḥ: again

• eka-ekam: each one individually

• daśabhiḥ daśabhiḥ: with ten each / ten apiece

• śaraiḥ: with arrows

Speaker

• Sūta (purāṇic narrator) / narrative voice (battle description)

Entities Mentioned

• Nirṛti
• Daitya

Tags

• Battle
• Daitya
• Archery
• Puranic warfare
• Divine beings

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a battlefield detail emphasizing the Daitya’s aggressive, methodical use of arrows against Nirṛti and others.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the purāṇic ideal of martial prowess and strategy—skills associated with kṣatriya duty—though the verse itself is a neutral narration of combat rather than a moral injunction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated here; the verse is purely martial (archery and wounding) and does not mention Vastu, temple rules, or ritual procedure.