Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

विपरीतमुखो ऽयुध्यद् दानवेन्द्रबलं प्रति शतक्रतुस्तु वज्रेण निमिं वक्षस्यताडयत् //

Transliteration

viparītamukho 'yudhyad dānavendrabalaṃ prati śatakratustu vajreṇa nimiṃ vakṣasyatāḍayat //

Translation

Turning his face about, Śatakratu (Indra) fought against the army of the Dānava lord; and with his thunderbolt (vajra) he struck Nimi upon the chest.

Word by Word

• viparīta-mukhaḥ: with face turned around/turned about

• ayudhyat: fought

• dānava-indra-balam: the army of the Dānava-king (lord of the Dānavas)

• prati: against

• śatakratuḥ: Śatakratu (Indra)

• tu: and/indeed

• vajreṇa: with the Vajra (thunderbolt weapon)

• nimiṃ: Nimi (a named opponent here)

• vakṣasi: on the chest

• atāḍayat: struck/smote

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Śatakratu (Indra)
• Vajra
• Dānava-indra (Dānava lord)
• Nimi
• Dānavas

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Indra
• Vajra
• Purāṇic Battles
• Matsya Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a battlefield narration highlighting Indra’s martial action against the Dānavas, focusing on the use of the Vajra and the striking of Nimi.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of protecting order (dharma) through decisive action against disruptive forces; it models the theme that rulers and guardians must confront threats firmly, though no explicit rājadharma rule is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its significance is purely narrative and martial (Indra’s Vajra strike).