Shloka 196

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

Devanagari script

ततो देवनिकायानाम् एकैकं समरे ततः जघानास्त्रैरसंख्येयैर् दैत्येन्द्रो ऽमितविक्रमः //

Transliteration

tato devanikāyānām ekaikaṃ samare tataḥ jaghānāstrairasaṃkhyeyair daityendro 'mitavikramaḥ //

Translation

Then, in that battle, the Daitya king of immeasurable prowess struck down the celestial battalions one by one, assailing them with countless missiles.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• deva-nikāyānām: of the groups/hosts of the gods

• eka-ekam: each one, one by one

• samare: in battle

• tataḥ: thereafter/then

• jaghāna: he struck down, slew

• astraiḥ: with weapons/missiles (astra)

• asaṃkhyeyaiḥ: innumerable, countless

• daitya-indraḥ: the lord/king of the Daityas

• amita-vikramaḥ: of immeasurable valor/stride, possessing boundless prowess

Speaker

• Suta (Puranic narrator) describing the battle episode (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Daitya king (daityendra)
• Devas (devanikāya)

Tags

• Devasura war
• Battle narrative
• Astra warfare
• Daitya king
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmogenesis; it focuses on a battlefield scene where a Daitya leader overwhelms the gods’ forces with innumerable astras.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal that power must be disciplined—“countless missiles” highlights martial capacity, but the Matsya Purana elsewhere frames true kingship as guided by dharma rather than mere conquest.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; the technical focus is on astras (projectile weapons) and battlefield progression.