Shloka 79

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

Devanagari script

शक्रो ऽपि दानवेन्द्राय बाणजालमपीदृशम् अप्राप्तान्दानवेन्द्रस्तु शराञ्छक्रभुजेरितान् //

Transliteration

śakro 'pi dānavendrāya bāṇajālamapīdṛśam aprāptāndānavendrastu śarāñchakrabhujeritān //

Translation

Śakra (Indra) too rained down such a net of arrows upon the lord of the Dānavas; but the Dānava-king, before the shafts released from Indra’s arm could even reach him, checked them.

Word by Word

• śakraḥ: Śakra/Indra

• api: also/indeed

• dānavendrāya: upon/against the lord of the Dānavas (Daitya king)

• bāṇajālam: a net/shower of arrows

• api īdṛśam: even such/so formidable

• aprāptān: not yet arrived/before reaching

• dānavendraḥ tu: but the Dānava king

• śarān: arrows

• śakra-bhujeritān: discharged from Indra’s arm (shot by Śakra)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battle (third-person epic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Dānava-indra (Daitya/Dānava king)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Indra
• Battle narrative
• Puranic warfare
• Heroic feats

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a martial episode, highlighting divine–demonic conflict rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It indirectly reflects kṣātra-dharma (royal valor): swift defense, preparedness, and the ability to neutralize threats before they mature—qualities praised in Puranic models of leadership.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is on battlefield imagery (bāṇajāla) and heroic interception of incoming weapons.