Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

ततक्षुर्विविधैः शस्त्रैः शरीरममरद्विषः निर्भया बलिनो युद्धे रणभूमौ व्यवस्थिताः //

Transliteration

tatakṣurvividhaiḥ śastraiḥ śarīramamaradviṣaḥ nirbhayā balino yuddhe raṇabhūmau vyavasthitāḥ //

Translation

Then, standing firm upon the battlefield, the mighty and fearless foes of the gods struck at their bodies with weapons of many kinds.

Word by Word

• ततक्षुः: they struck/they hewed

• विविधैः: with various

• शस्त्रैः: weapons

• शरीरम्: the body (bodily form)

• अमरद्विषः: haters/enemies of the immortals (gods)

• निर्भयाः: fearless

• बलिनः: strong, powerful

• युद्धे: in battle

• रणभूमौ: on the battlefield

• व्यवस्थिताः: stationed, standing firm

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing events (narrative voice; not direct dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Amaras (Devas)
• Amaradviṣaḥ (enemies of the gods, typically Asuras)

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Battle Narrative
• Heroic Combat
• Puranic Warfare
• Dynasties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a battlefield scene in a Deva–Asura style conflict, emphasizing fearlessness and force in combat.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kshatriya ideal of standing one’s ground in battle (vyavasthitāḥ) and acting with courage (nirbhayā), themes often used in the Purana to frame righteous protection and valor.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical vocabulary is martial (śastra, raṇabhūmi) rather than architectural.