Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

परान्परशुना जघ्ने दैत्येन्द्रो रौद्रविक्रमः तस्य पातयतः सेनां यक्षगन्धर्वकिंनराः //

Transliteration

parānparaśunā jaghne daityendro raudravikramaḥ tasya pātayataḥ senāṃ yakṣagandharvakiṃnarāḥ //

Translation

With his battle-axe, the Daitya-lord—terrible in prowess—struck down the enemy. As he felled the army, the Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Kiṃnaras were brought down as well.

Word by Word

• परान् (parān): the foes/others, the enemy

• परशुना (paraśunā): with an axe/battle-axe

• जघ्ने (jaghne): struck, slew

• दैत्येन्द्रः (daityendraḥ): lord of the Daityas (demon-king)

• रौद्रविक्रमः (raudra-vikramaḥ): of fierce/terrible valor

• तस्य (tasya): by him/of him

• पातयतः (pātayataḥ): while causing to fall, felling

• सेनाम् (senām): the army/host

• यक्षगन्धर्वकिंनराः (yakṣa-gandharva-kiṃnarāḥ): Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Kiṃnaras (classes of semi-divine beings).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle events (narrative voice within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityendra
• Yakshas
• Gandharvas
• Kinnaras
• Parashu (battle-axe)

Tags

• Daitya
• Puranic battle
• Deva-Asura conflict
• Mythic warfare
• Epic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a wartime episode where a Daitya-lord violently defeats opposing forces, emphasizing cosmic conflict rather than creation or dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic view of kṣātra themes—strength, command over armies, and the consequences of unchecked ferocity—serving as a cautionary mirror for kings to wield power with dharma rather than sheer raudra (wrathful) force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its focus is martial imagery (the paraśu and the collapse of armies), not temple-building or rites.