Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

प्राणान्तकरणो जातो देवानां दानवाहवः देवान्निपीडितान्दृष्ट्वा कुमारः कोपमाविशत् //

Transliteration

prāṇāntakaraṇo jāto devānāṃ dānavāhavaḥ devānnipīḍitāndṛṣṭvā kumāraḥ kopamāviśat //

Translation

A Dānava champion arose—one who brought death to the gods. Seeing the devas oppressed and tormented, Kumāra was seized by wrath.

Word by Word

• प्राण-अन्त-करणः: life-ending, death-dealing

• जातः: arose/was born

• देवानाम्: of the gods (devas)

• दानव-आहवः: Dānava in battle / Dānava combatant (lit. Dānava-fight)

• देवान्: the gods

• निपीडितान्: oppressed, crushed, harassed

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• कुमारः: Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

• कोपम्: anger, wrath

• आविशत्: entered, possessed (seized).

Speaker

• Purāṇic narrator (Sūta-style narration; descriptive narrative verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Dānava
• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Skanda
• Puranic battle
• Dharma protection
• Cosmic order

FAQs

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

This verse is not a pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching; it depicts a crisis of cosmic order where the devas are oppressed, prompting divine counter-action through Kumāra.

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

By analogy, it models the dharmic duty to protect the vulnerable and resist oppression: when righteous beings are “crushed,” legitimate authority (like a king) should respond decisively to restore order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is narrative-theological—Kumāra’s wrath signals imminent protective action rather than temple-building or rite instructions.