Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Tāraka: Skanda’s Śakti and the Victory of the Devas

Devanagari script

ततश्चिक्षेप दैत्येन्द्रो भिन्दिपालमयोमयम् करेण तच्च जग्राह कार्तिकेयो ऽमरारिहा //

Transliteration

tataścikṣepa daityendro bhindipālamayomayam kareṇa tacca jagrāha kārtikeyo 'marārihā //

Translation

Then the lord of the Daityas hurled an iron bhindipāla (a javelin-like spear). But Kārtikeya—the slayer of the enemies of the gods—seized it with his hand.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• cikṣepa: hurled, threw

• daitya-indraḥ: the chief/lord of the Daityas (demon-king)

• bhindipālam: a bhindipāla (javelin/spear-like missile weapon)

• ayomayam: made of iron

• kareṇa: with (his) hand

• tat: that (weapon)

• ca: and

• jagrāha: grasped, seized

• kārtikeyaḥ: Kārtikeya (Skanda)

• amara-arihā: slayer of the foes of the immortals (gods).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the combat

Entities Mentioned

• Daityendra (chief of the Daityas)
• Kartikeya (Skanda)
• Amaras (Devas)

Tags

• Deva-Asura battle
• Kartikeya
• Divine valor
• Weapons
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it depicts a martial episode highlighting divine prowess in a Deva–Asura conflict.

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

Indirectly, it models kṣātra-dharma (the ethic of protection and courage): the ideal defender remains steady under attack and neutralizes threats decisively.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the technical focus is on weaponry (bhindipāla) and heroic combat.