Shloka 75

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

Devanagari script

शतक्रतुरदीनात्मा दृढमाधत्त कार्मुकम् बाणं च तैलधौताग्रम् अर्धचन्द्रमजिह्मगम् //

Transliteration

śatakraturadīnātmā dṛḍhamādhatta kārmukam bāṇaṃ ca tailadhautāgram ardhacandramajihmagam //

Translation

Śatakratu (Indra), unshaken in spirit, firmly took up his bow, and also a straight-flying arrow with an oil-polished tip, shaped like a half-moon.

Word by Word

• śatakratuḥ: Śatakratu/Indra

• adīnātmā: undepressed, unshaken in spirit

• dṛḍham: firmly, resolutely

• ādatta: took up, seized

• kārmukam: bow

• bāṇam: arrow

• ca: and

• taila-dhauta-agram: whose tip is polished/cleansed with oil (oil-smeared point)

• ardha-candram: half-moon shaped (crescent-headed)

• a-jihmagam: not crooked in flight, straight-going

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing Indra’s action within the episode

Entities Mentioned

• Śatakratu (Indra)

Tags

• Indra
• Battle
• Weapons
• Puranic warfare
• Archery

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on a martial moment where Indra arms himself with bow and a crescent-headed arrow.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra ideal of steadiness and readiness: remaining undismayed (adīnātmā) and acting decisively—qualities praised for rulers and protectors in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual detail appears here; the technical vocabulary is martial—describing weapon features like an oil-polished tip and a crescent-shaped arrowhead.