Shloka 80

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

Devanagari script

चिछेद दशधाकाशे शरैरग्निशिखोपमैः ततस्तु शरजालेन देवेन्द्रो दानवेश्वरम् //

Transliteration

cicheda daśadhākāśe śarairagniśikhopamaiḥ tatastu śarajālena devendro dānaveśvaram //

Translation

With arrows blazing like tongues of fire, he cut (him) into ten parts in the open sky; then Devendra (Indra) further assailed the lord of the Dānavas with a net-like shower of arrows.

Word by Word

• चिछेद (ciccheda): cut, severed

• दशधा (daśadhā): into ten parts, tenfold

• आकाशे (ākāśe): in the sky, in mid-air

• शरैः (śaraiḥ): with arrows

• अग्निशिखोपमैः (agniśikhopamaiḥ): comparable to flames of fire

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• तु (tu): indeed, and

• शरजालेन (śarajālena): with a network/mesh of arrows, a volley like a net

• देवेन्द्रः (devendraḥ): Indra, lord of the gods

• दानवेश्वरम् (dānaveśvaram): the lord of the Dānavas (demon-king).

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Indra (Devendra)
• Danava-lord (Dānaveśvara)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Indra
• Martial imagery
• Divine weapons
• Puranic battle narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmic dissolution; it focuses on a deva–asura battle scene, emphasizing Indra’s fiery arrows and overwhelming force.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra ideal of protecting order (dharma) through disciplined strength—an archetype used in Purāṇas to model decisive action against disruptive forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is martial—imagery of arrow volleys (śarajāla) and divine weaponry.