Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

अथास्त्रं मौसलं नाम मुमोच दितिनन्दनः ततो ऽयोमुसलैः सर्वम् अभवत्पूरितं जगत् //

Transliteration

athāstraṃ mausalaṃ nāma mumoca ditinandanaḥ tato 'yomusalaiḥ sarvam abhavatpūritaṃ jagat //

Translation

Then Diti’s son released the weapon known as the Mausala Astra; thereupon the entire world became filled on all sides with iron clubs.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• astram: a weapon, missile (astra)

• mausalam nāma: called ‘Mausala’

• mumoca: released, discharged

• ditinandanaḥ: Diti’s son (an Asura/Daitya)

• tataḥ: then, thereafter

• ayomusalaiḥ: with iron clubs (ayo = iron, musala = club/pestle)

• sarvam: all, the entire

• abhavat: became

• pūritam: filled, pervaded

• jagat: the world, the moving universe

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing events (astra-prayoga) within the Matsya Purana’s martial narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Diti
• Daitya/Asura (Diti’s son)
• Mausala Astra

Tags

• Astra
• Daityas
• War-episode
• Mythic weapons
• Cosmic peril

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya itself, but it uses cosmic-scale imagery—“the world filled”—to convey how astra-power can mimic world-ending devastation in battle narratives.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the danger of uncontrolled violence and the need for restraint and dharmic judgment in the use of force—an ethical backdrop often emphasized in Purāṇic kingship ideals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is focused on martial mythology, specifically the technical notion of an ‘astra’ whose manifested form is an all-pervading shower of iron clubs.