Shloka 194

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

Devanagari script

यमं च पातयामास भूमौ दैत्यो भुशुण्डिना वह्निं च भिन्दिपालेन ताडयामास मूर्धनि //

Transliteration

yamaṃ ca pātayāmāsa bhūmau daityo bhuśuṇḍinā vahniṃ ca bhindipālena tāḍayāmāsa mūrdhani //

Translation

And the Daitya struck Yama down to the earth with a bhuśuṇḍī (a heavy mace), and he also smote Agni upon the head with a bhindipāla (a throwing spear).

Word by Word

• yamam: Yama (lord of death)

• ca: and

• pātayāmāsa: caused to fall, felled

• bhūmau: on the ground

• daityaḥ: the Daitya (demon)

• bhuśuṇḍinā: with a bhuśuṇḍī (club/mace-like weapon)

• vahnim: Agni (fire-god)

• ca: and

• bhindipālena: with a bhindipāla (javelin/throwing spear)

• tāḍayāmāsa: struck, smote

• mūrdhani: on the head

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle (likely within the Matsya Purana’s ongoing dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama
• Agni (Vahni)
• Daitya

Tags

• Deva-Asura battle
• Puranic warfare
• Divine beings
• Weapons

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it depicts a martial episode where a Daitya overpowers the deities Yama and Agni using specific weapons.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal that even powerful authorities (like Yama) can be challenged in adharmic conflict—supporting the broader ethic that rulers must uphold dharma, preparedness, and protection against disruptive forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; its technical significance is lexical—preserving traditional weapon terminology (bhuśuṇḍī, bhindipāla) used in Purāṇic battle descriptions.