Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

कुमारं सामरं जघ्नुर् बलिनो देवकण्टकाः कुमारस्य व्यथा नाभूद् दैत्यास्त्रनिहतस्य तु //

Transliteration

kumāraṃ sāmaraṃ jaghnur balino devakaṇṭakāḥ kumārasya vyathā nābhūd daityāstranihatasya tu //

Translation

The mighty Daityas—thorn-like enemies of the gods—struck Kumāra (Skanda) in the midst of battle. Yet Kumāra felt no pain at all, though he had been hit by the Daityas’ weapons.

Word by Word

• kumāram: Kumāra (Skanda)

• sāmaraṃ: in battle, in the combat-field

• jaghnuḥ: struck, smote

• balinaḥ: powerful, mighty

• deva-kaṇṭakāḥ: thorns to the gods (tormentors/enemies of the devas)

• kumārasya: of Kumāra

• vyathā: pain, distress

• na abhūt: did not arise, did not occur

• daitya-astra: weapons of the Daityas

• nihatasyāpi/nihatasya: of one who has been struck/afflicted

• tu: however, indeed

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode (within the Matsya Purana’s continuous narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Daityas
• Devas

Tags

• Daitya-vadha
• Skanda
• Deva-Asura war
• Divine invulnerability
• Puranic battle narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it highlights a battle motif where a divine being (Kumāra) remains unaffected by hostile weapons.

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

Indirectly, it models kṣānti (steadfastness) and fearlessness under attack—qualities praised in dharma literature for rulers and protectors—though the verse itself is primarily martial narration.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the focus is on the Daityas’ assault and Kumāra’s unshaken, pain-free state.