Shloka 91

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

Devanagari script

संध्यमाने ततस्त्वाष्ट्रे निश्चेरुः पावकार्चिषः ततो यन्त्रमयान् दिव्यान् आयुधान्दुष्प्रधर्षिणः //

Transliteration

saṃdhyamāne tatastvāṣṭre niśceruḥ pāvakārciṣaḥ tato yantramayān divyān āyudhānduṣpradharṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

Then, as the work of Tvāṣṭṛ was being set in motion at that critical juncture, tongues of fire burst forth; and from it emerged divine weapons, fashioned as marvels of mechanism, irresistible to assail.

Word by Word

• saṃdhyamāne: while it was being joined/at the juncture/while it was being set in operation

• tataḥ: then/from thereupon

• tvāṣṭre: in the work/artifice of Tvaṣṭṛ (the divine craftsman) / belonging to Tvaṣṭṛ

• niśceruḥ: came forth, issued out

• pāvaka-arciṣaḥ: flames/sparks of fire

• tataḥ: then/from that

• yantra-mayān: made of yantras (mechanical/engineered devices), mechanism-formed

• divyān: divine, celestial

• āyudhān: weapons/arms

• duṣpradharṣiṇaḥ: hard to overcome, irresistible, difficult to be assailed.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice reporting the episode within the Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Tvaṣṭṛ
• Pāvaka (Agni)
• Divine weapons (Āyudha)

Tags

• Yantra
• Divine weapons
• Agni
• Iconography
• Puranic technology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights creative manifestation—fiery energy (Agni) issuing from Tvaṣṭṛ’s craft and producing divine, engineered weapons.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that righteous power and protection rely on divinely sanctioned means—tools and arms should serve dharma, not mere aggression.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term is yantra-maya—suggesting specialized engineered devices used for sacred or royal purposes, aligning with Matsya Purāṇa themes of Vāstu/technical knowledge applied to divine implements.