Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

मुमुचुः संहताः सर्वे चित्रशस्त्रास्त्रसंहतिम् पाशान् परश्वधांश्चक्रान् भिन्दिपालान् समुद्गरान् //

Transliteration

mumucuḥ saṃhatāḥ sarve citraśastrāstrasaṃhatim pāśān paraśvadhāṃścakrān bhindipālān samudgarān //

Translation

All of them, formed up together, hurled a dazzling array of weapons—nooses, battle-axes, discus-weapons, bhindipāla javelins, and heavy maces.

Word by Word

• मुमुचुः (mumucuḥ): they released / hurled

• संहताः (saṃhatāḥ): assembled, in close formation

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• चित्र (citra): varied, wondrous, dazzling

• शस्त्र (śastra): hand-weapons

• अस्त्र (astra): projectile weapons

• संहतिम् (saṃhatim): mass, collection, volley

• पाशान् (pāśān): nooses, snares

• परश्वधान् (paraśvadhān): axes / battle-axes

• चक्रान् (cakrān): discus-weapons / wheel-like weapons

• भिन्दिपालान् (bhindipālān): bhindipāla spears/javelins (a heavy dart)

• समुद्गरान् (samudgarān): maces / cudgels (heavy bludgeons)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / the Purana’s narrative voice describing the battle scene

Tags

• Battle
• Weapons
• Martial-episode
• Rajavamsha
• Shastra-Astra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a battlefield narration emphasizing coordinated attack and the variety of classical weapons (śastra/astra) in a royal-war context.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya sphere—organized warfare, discipline, and the royal obligation to protect or contest rule; it illustrates martial preparedness rather than household ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical focus is martial vocabulary—named weapons such as pāśa (noose), paraśvadha (axe), cakra (discus), bhindipāla (javelin), and samudgara (mace).