Shloka 95

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

Devanagari script

यन्त्राणि तिलशः कृत्वा शैलास्त्रं परमूर्धसु निपपातातिवेगेना-दारयत्पृथिवीं ततः //

Transliteration

yantrāṇi tilaśaḥ kṛtvā śailāstraṃ paramūrdhasu nipapātātivegenā-dārayatpṛthivīṃ tataḥ //

Translation

After smashing the machines into fragments as fine as sesame, the rock-missile (śailāstra) struck the loftiest peaks; then, falling with tremendous speed, it split the earth apart.

Word by Word

• यन्त्राणि (yantrāṇi): machines/contrivances

• तिलशः (tilaśaḥ): into sesame-like bits, into tiny fragments

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made, having reduced

• शैलास्त्रम् (śailāstram): the rock-weapon/stone missile

• परम् (param): highest, supreme

• मूर्धसु (mūrdhasu): on the summits/heads (of mountains)

• निपपात (nipapāta): fell, descended

• अतिवेगेन (ativegena): with great speed/force

• दारयत् (dārayat): split, rent asunder

• पृथिवीम् (pṛthivīm): the earth

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Purana’s account (speaker attribution within this adhyaya is not explicit in the given single verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Yantra
• Śailāstra
• Pṛthivī

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Yantra
• Astra
• Destruction
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

It uses apocalyptic imagery—an earth-splitting impact—to depict overwhelming force, a style often used in Puranas to evoke dissolution-like devastation, though this verse itself describes weaponic destruction rather than the flood-pralaya narrative.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the ethical warning that engineered power (yantra/ashtra) can devastate the world if misused—aligning with Rajadharma themes about restraint, protection of the realm, and avoiding reckless violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The technical terms yantra (mechanism) and astra (projectile/weapon) reflect the Matsya Purana’s wider shilpa–vastu milieu where precise knowledge of devices, materials, and forces is discussed alongside construction and ritual technology.