Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

स तैः प्रहारैरस्पृष्टो वृथाक्लेशैर्महाद्युतिः रणशौण्डास्तु दैत्येन्द्राः पुनः प्रासैः शिलीमुखैः //

Transliteration

sa taiḥ prahārairaspṛṣṭo vṛthākleśairmahādyutiḥ raṇaśauṇḍāstu daityendrāḥ punaḥ prāsaiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ //

Translation

Untouched by those blows—making the attackers’ exertions futile—the greatly radiant one remained unshaken. But the battle-hardened lords of the Daityas once again assailed him with spears and sharp arrows.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he/that hero

• तैः (taiḥ): by those

• प्रहारैः (prahāraiḥ): blows/strikes

• अस्पृष्टः (aspṛṣṭaḥ): untouched, not reached

• वृथा (vṛthā): in vain, fruitless

• क्लेशैः (kleśaiḥ): efforts, strain, hardship

• महाद्युतिः (mahādyutiḥ): the greatly radiant one (mighty, resplendent hero)

• रणशौण्डाः (raṇaśauṇḍāḥ): battle-expert, war-hardened

• तु (tu): however/but

• दैत्येन्द्राः (daityendrāḥ): chiefs/lords of the Daityas (demons)

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• प्रासैः (prāsaiḥ): with spears/javelins

• शिलीमुखैः (śilīmukhaiḥ): with arrows (lit. “stone-faced/stone-tipped,” a poetic term for arrows).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Daitya-lords (Daityendras)

Tags

• Battle narrative
• Daityas
• Heroic resilience
• Weapons
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on a combat scene, emphasizing the futility of hostile efforts against a divinely empowered, radiant figure.

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

Indirectly, it models kṣātra ideals valued in Purāṇic ethics—steadfastness under attack and the ability to withstand adversity without wavering—qualities expected of protectors and rulers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is martial vocabulary (prāsa, śilīmukha) and the depiction of relentless assault in battle.