Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

ततो ऽस्त्रैर्वारयामास दानवानामनीकिनीम् ततस्तैर् निष्प्रतीकरैस् ताडिताः सुरकण्टकाः //

Transliteration

tato 'strairvārayāmāsa dānavānāmanīkinīm tatastair niṣpratīkarais tāḍitāḥ surakaṇṭakāḥ //

Translation

Then he checked the army of the Dānavas with missiles; and thereafter those thorn-like foes of the gods were struck down, left without any effective countermeasure.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• astraiḥ: with weapons/missiles

• vārayāmāsa: he held back/checked/warded off

• dānavānām: of the Dānavas (demons)

• anīkinīm: the army/host

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• taiḥ: by those (missiles/weapons)

• niṣpratīkaraiḥ: with no counter-defense/without remedy, rendered helpless

• tāḍitāḥ: struck/smitten

• sura-kaṇṭakāḥ: 'thorns to the gods' (vexing enemies of the devas).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode (likely within the overarching Matsya Purana dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Deva-Dānava war
• Astras
• Puranic battles
• Dharma protection
• Matsya Purana war narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it depicts a conflict where divine order is protected by restraining demonic forces through astras (missiles/weapons).

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

By portraying the checking of aggressors and neutralizing threats to the devas, the verse aligns with the dharmic ideal that rulers must restrain harmful forces and protect social/cosmic order using proportionate means.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is on astras (martial/divine weaponry) and the idea of rendering an enemy 'niṣpratīkāra'—without an effective countermeasure.