Shloka 96

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

Devanagari script

ततो वज्रास्त्रम् अकरोत् सहस्राक्षः पुरंदरः तदोपलमहावर्षं व्यशीर्यत समन्ततः //

Transliteration

tato vajrāstram akarot sahasrākṣaḥ puraṃdaraḥ tadopalamahāvarṣaṃ vyaśīryata samantataḥ //

Translation

Then Sahasrākṣa (Indra), Purandara the city-destroyer, discharged the Vajra-weapon; and that great shower of hailstones was shattered and dispersed on every side.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• vajra-astram: the Vajra weapon (thunderbolt missile)

• akarot: he made/let loose, discharged

• sahasra-akṣaḥ: the thousand-eyed one (Indra)

• puraṃdaraḥ: Purandara, destroyer of strongholds (Indra)

• tat: that

• opala: hailstone/stone (as hail)

• mahā-varṣam: great downpour/shower

• vyaśīryata: was broken to pieces, shattered, scattered

• samantataḥ: on all sides, everywhere

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) describing the battle events

Entities Mentioned

• Indra (Sahasrākṣa, Purandara)
• Vajra (thunderbolt weapon)

Tags

• Deva-Asura battle
• Astras
• Indra
• Vajra
• Divine weapons

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it depicts localized cosmic-scale warfare imagery where Indra’s Vajra-astra neutralizes a destructive hail/stone downpour, showing divine control over violent natural forces.

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

By analogy, it models the ruler’s dharma of protection: just as Indra counters a calamity-like assault threatening all directions, a king is expected to deploy rightful force and strategy to remove widespread danger and restore order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the key takeaway is the Purāṇic concept of astras as empowered ‘missiles’ whose correct deployment (like a consecrated act) can counter mass destruction—useful for interpreting later ritualized weapon-invocation motifs.