Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

इत्युक्त्वा च ततः शक्तिं मुमोच दितिजं प्रति सा कुमारभुजोत्सृष्टा तत्केयूररवानुगा बिभेद दैत्यहृदयं वज्रशैलेन्द्रकर्कशम् //

Transliteration

ityuktvā ca tataḥ śaktiṃ mumoca ditijaṃ prati sā kumārabhujotsṛṣṭā tatkeyūraravānugā bibheda daityahṛdayaṃ vajraśailendrakarkaśam //

Translation

Having spoken thus, he then hurled the śakti (spear) toward the son of Diti. Released from Kumāra’s arm, accompanied by the clang of his armlet, it pierced the demon’s heart—hard as a thunderbolt and as rugged as a mountain peak.

Word by Word

• इत्युक्त्वा (ityuktvā): having said thus

• च (ca): and

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• शक्तिम् (śaktim): the śakti, spear/weapon

• मुमोच (mumoca): released, hurled

• दितिजम् (ditijam): the son of Diti, a demon

• प्रति (prati): toward

• सा (sā): that (weapon)

• कुमारभुजोत्सृष्टा (kumāra-bhujotsṛṣṭā): discharged from Kumāra’s arm

• तत्केयूररवानुगा (tat-keyūra-ravānugā): followed by/attended with the sound of his keyūra (armlet)

• बिभेद (bibheda): split, pierced

• दैत्यहृदयम् (daitya-hṛdayam): the demon’s heart

• वज्र (vajra): thunderbolt/diamond

• शैलेन्द्र (śailendra): mountain-lord, great mountain

• कर्कशम् (karkaśam): hard, harsh, tough

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration, traditionally Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Diti (as 'ditija')
• Daitya (demon)
• Śakti (spear weapon)

Tags

• Daitya-vadha
• Divine weapon
• Skanda
• Battle narrative
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it depicts a combat episode where a divine spear pierces a demon’s heart, using cosmic-strength similes (vajra, mountain) to convey irresistible force.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that adharma must be checked decisively: the righteous protector (like a king) should act with clarity and strength against destructive forces symbolized by the daitya.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified; the key technical term is śakti (a spear/weapon), relevant mainly to iconography where deities like Skanda are depicted holding the śakti.