Shloka 82

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

Devanagari script

यथा वायुर्घनाटोपं परिवार्य दिशो मुखे शक्रो ऽथ क्रोधसंरम्भान् न विशेषयते यदा //

Transliteration

yathā vāyurghanāṭopaṃ parivārya diśo mukhe śakro 'tha krodhasaṃrambhān na viśeṣayate yadā //

Translation

Just as the wind, driving a mass of clouds, sweeps across the faces of all directions, so too Indra—when seized by the surge of anger—fails to discriminate between what should and should not be done.

Word by Word

• yathā: just as

• vāyuḥ: wind

• ghana-āṭopam: a dense mass/array of clouds

• parivārya: enveloping, sweeping around

• diśaḥ: the directions

• mukhe: at the face/front (i.e., across the expanse)

• śakraḥ: Śakra (Indra)

• atha: then/indeed

• krodha-saṃrambhān: violent agitation arising from anger

• na: not

• viśeṣayate: distinguishes, discriminates

• yadā: when

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic Rajadharma context; likely framed via Sūta’s narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Vayu
• Shakra (Indra)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Krodha (anger)
• Viveka (discernment)
• Niti
• Self-control

FAQs

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

It does not teach Pralaya directly; it uses a natural image (wind driving clouds) as a moral analogy for how anger can overwhelm discernment.

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

It warns that anger destroys viveka (discrimination). For a king, this means rash punishment and unjust policy; for a householder, it means harmful speech and actions—so restraint and deliberation are essential.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is an ethical illustration (dṛṣṭānta) emphasizing self-mastery rather than temple-building or rites.