Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

त्वां प्राप्यापश्यदसुरो विषमं स्मृतिविभ्रमम् पूर्वे ऽप्यतिबला ये च दैत्येन्द्राः सुरविद्विषः //

Transliteration

tvāṃ prāpyāpaśyadasuro viṣamaṃ smṛtivibhramam pūrve 'pyatibalā ye ca daityendrāḥ suravidviṣaḥ //

Translation

Having encountered you, the Asura perceived a grievous confusion of memory; even in former times, those exceedingly mighty lords of the Daityas—haters of the gods—met the same fate.

Word by Word

• त्वाम् (tvām): you

• प्राप्य (prāpya): having reached/encountered

• अपश्यत् (apaśyat): saw/perceived

• असुरः (asuraḥ): the Asura/demon

• विषमम् (viṣamam): severe, dreadful, grievous

• स्मृतिविभ्रमम् (smṛti-vibhramam): delusion/confusion of memory

• पूर्वे अपि (pūrve 'pi): even formerly/in earlier times

• अतिबलाः (atibalāḥ): extremely powerful

• ये च (ye ca): and those who

• दैत्येन्द्राः (daityendrāḥ): chiefs/lords of the Daityas

• सुरविद्विषः (suravidviṣaḥ): haters/enemies of the gods (Devas).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), within the Matsya Purana’s running narration of Daitya–Deva episodes

Entities Mentioned

• Asura
• Daityas
• Devas (Suras)

Tags

• Daitya-Deva conflict
• Divine power
• Smriti-vibhrama
• Puranic warfare
• Protection of Devas

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights a recurring Puranic motif where hostile Daityas are overcome through divinely induced confusion (smṛti-vibhrama), showing how cosmic order is protected without needing a dissolution narrative.

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

It implies a practical dharmic warning: power without disciplined memory, counsel, and self-control collapses into error. For a king, loss of strategic discernment (smṛti/remembered wisdom) leads to ruin; for a householder, forgetfulness of dharma produces harmful decisions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the takeaway is ethical and theological—divine presence can neutralize adharma by disrupting the enemy’s mental clarity.