Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

तस्यारक्षत्पदं सव्यं मारुतो ऽमितविक्रमः जुगोपापरमग्निस्तु ज्वालापूरितदिङ्मुखः //

Transliteration

tasyārakṣatpadaṃ savyaṃ māruto 'mitavikramaḥ jugopāparamagnistu jvālāpūritadiṅmukhaḥ //

Translation

Maruta, of immeasurable prowess, guarded his left foot; and Agni, filling the faces of the directions with flames, protected the other side.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him/for him

• ārakṣat: protected/guarded

• padam: foot/step/position

• savyam: left

• mārutaḥ: Maruta (Wind-god/Vāyu)

• amita-vikramaḥ: of boundless valor/might

• jugopa: protected/kept safe

• aparam: the other (side/direction)

• agniḥ tu: and Agni (Fire) indeed

• jvālā: flames

• pūrita: filled

• diṅ-mukhaḥ: the faces of the directions (all quarters).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic account in third-person)

Entities Mentioned

• Māruta (Vāyu/Wind-god)
• Agni (Fire-god)
• Dik (the directions/quarters)

Tags

• Devas
• Protection
• Vyūha
• Mythic Battle
• Directional Guardianship

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a protective formation where cosmic forces (Wind and Fire) act as guardians, a motif often used to show divine order being upheld against chaos.

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

By analogy, it models rakṣā (protection) as a primary duty: just as the gods guard the vulnerable points (like “the left foot/side”), a king or householder must arrange layered protection—placing capable defenders at critical positions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse uses directional imagery (diṅmukha) and guarded “sides,” echoing Vāstu and ritual concepts where quarters are protected by specific powers; it supports the idea of establishing protective guardianship around a sacred center.