Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

दैत्यांश्च मुदितान्दृष्ट्वा कर्तव्यं नाध्यगच्छत अथायान्निकटे विष्णोः सुरेशः पाकशासनः //

Transliteration

daityāṃśca muditāndṛṣṭvā kartavyaṃ nādhyagacchata athāyānnikaṭe viṣṇoḥ sureśaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ //

Translation

Seeing the Daityas exultant, Indra—lord of the gods, the chastiser of Pāka—could not discern what ought to be done; then he went near to Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• दैत्यान् (daityān): the Daityas/demons

• च (ca): and

• मुदितान् (muditān): delighted, jubilant

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• कर्तव्यम् (kartavyam): what should be done, the proper course of action

• न (na): not

• अध्यगच्छत (adhyagacchata): he understood/arrived at (a conclusion)

• अथ (atha): then

• आयान् (āyān): he went/approached

• निकटे (nikaṭe): near, in the presence

• विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ): of Viṣṇu

• सुरेशः (sureśaḥ): lord of the gods (Indra)

• पाकशासनः (pākaśāsanaḥ): the chastiser of Pāka (epithet of Indra).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Indra’s action)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Indra (Sureśa, Pākaśāsana)
• Vishnu

Tags

• Devāsura
• Indra
• Vishnu
• Dharma
• Counsel

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it highlights a crisis in the deva–asura struggle and the need to seek Viṣṇu’s guidance when order (dharma) is threatened.

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

It models responsible leadership: when one cannot determine the right course (kartavya), one should consult a higher authority—scripture, wise counsel, or the divine—rather than act impulsively.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its takeaway is ethical and strategic—seeking Viṣṇu’s proximity/support as the proper response to uncertainty.