Shloka 83

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

Devanagari script

दानवेन्द्रं तदा चक्रे गन्धर्वास्त्रं महाद्भुतम् तदुत्थतेजसा व्याप्तम् अभूद्गमनगोचरम् //

Transliteration

dānavendraṃ tadā cakre gandharvāstraṃ mahādbhutam tadutthatejasā vyāptam abhūdgamanagocaram //

Translation

Then the lord of the Dānavas unleashed the wondrous Gandharva-weapon; pervaded by the radiance it generated, the entire field became a realm fit only for movement—an impassable, inescapable zone.

Word by Word

• दानवेन्द्रम्: the lord of the Dānavas (demon-king)

• तदा: then

• चक्रे: he performed/used/unleashed

• गन्धर्वास्त्रम्: the Gandharva astra (a celestial weapon associated with Gandharvas, often producing illusion/enchantment)

• महाद्भुतम्: greatly wondrous, astonishing

• तदुत्थ-तेजसा: by the radiance/fiery energy arisen from it

• व्याप्तम्: pervaded, filled

• अभूत्: became

• गमन-गोचरम्: within the range of movement / a domain of passage (i.e., a zone one is forced into or cannot easily cross)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle events (contextual narration within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavendra (lord of the Dānavas)
• Gandharvāstra (Gandharva weapon)
• Dānavas

Tags

• Astras
• Mythic warfare
• Puranic battle
• Illusion/enchantment
• Matsya Purana narratives

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes a battlefield effect of a celestial weapon whose radiance envelops the area, emphasizing astric power rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic idea that power (especially weaponry) must be governed by restraint and dharma—unchecked force can render a whole region perilous and unapproachable.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the technical focus is on astra-prayoga (deployment of a divine weapon) and its radiance-based, area-pervading effect.