Shloka 88

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

Devanagari script

एकप्रहारकरणैर् अप्रधृष्यैः समन्ततः गन्धर्वनगरं तेषु गन्धर्वास्त्रविनिर्मितम् //

Transliteration

ekaprahārakaraṇair apradhṛṣyaiḥ samantataḥ gandharvanagaraṃ teṣu gandharvāstravinirmitam //

Translation

All around, it was made unassailable by defensive contrivances that could repel with a single stroke; and within those defences stood a “Gandharva-city”, fashioned by Gandharva-weapons—superhuman, magically engineered armaments.

Word by Word

• eka: single

• prahāra: stroke/attack

• karaṇaiḥ: by means/contrivances/instruments

• apradhṛṣyaiḥ: irresistible, not to be overpowered, unassailable

• samantataḥ: on all sides, all around

• gandharva-nagaram: a Gandharva-city (a wondrous/illusive city)

• teṣu: in/among those (arrangements/defences)

• gandharva-astra: Gandharva weapon, celestial weaponry

• vinirmitam: constructed, fashioned, produced

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Gandharvas
• Gandharva-astra (celestial weaponry)
• Gandharva-nagara (wondrous city)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Nagara-nirmana
• Fortification
• Defensive engineering
• Puranic architecture

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes protective construction—how a city can be rendered “unassailable” through powerful defensive devices and astric (weapon-based) safeguards.

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

It supports the king’s rajadharma of protection: establishing secure settlements and fortifications so the populace remains safe from invasion and disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it points to a fortified-city concept (nagara-vinyasa) with perimeter defenses; ritually/technically, it alludes to astric protections (gandharvāstra) as a Puranic idiom for advanced, quasi-magical security measures.