Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

कालनेमिमुखाः सर्वे रणादासन्पराङ्मुखाः विद्रुतेष्वथ दैत्येषु हतेषु च समन्ततः //

Transliteration

kālanemimukhāḥ sarve raṇādāsanparāṅmukhāḥ vidruteṣvatha daityeṣu hateṣu ca samantataḥ //

Translation

Led by Kālanemi, all of them turned their backs and fled from the battlefield; and as the Daityas were routed—many being slain on every side—the field was strewn with their fallen.

Word by Word

• कालनेमि-मुखाः: headed by Kālanemi

• सर्वे: all

• रणात्: from the battle/field of war

• आसन्: were

• पराङ्मुखाः: turned away, facing backward (in retreat)

• विद्रुतेषु: when (they were) fleeing/routed

• अथ: then

• दैत्येषु: among the Daityas (demons)

• हतेषु: among those slain

• च: and

• समन्ततः: on all sides, everywhere

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator (battle narration in third person)

Entities Mentioned

• Kālanemi
• Daityas

Tags

• Daitya-Vadha
• Battle
• Asura defeat
• Puranic warfare
• Dharma triumph

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it depicts a battlefield rout, emphasizing the collapse of adharma-aligned forces (Daityas) under pressure and slaughter.

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

By portraying panic and retreat after defeat, it indirectly reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethic that courage, discipline, and righteous leadership sustain order—while adharma and arrogance end in disarray.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is purely martial narration focused on the Daityas’ flight and deaths.