Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

गतासुः स पपातोर्व्यां प्रलये भूधरो यथा विकीर्णमुकुटोष्णीषो विस्रस्ताखिलभूषणः //

Transliteration

gatāsuḥ sa papātorvyāṃ pralaye bhūdharo yathā vikīrṇamukuṭoṣṇīṣo visrastākhilabhūṣaṇaḥ //

Translation

Bereft of life, he fell upon the earth—like a mountain collapsing at the time of cosmic dissolution (pralaya)—his crown and diadem scattered, and all his ornaments loosened and cast down.

Word by Word

• गतासुः (gatāsuḥ): lifeless, having departed life-breath

• स (sa): he

• पपात (papāta): fell

• उर्व्याम् (urvyām): upon the earth/ground

• प्रलये (pralaye): at the time of dissolution, in pralaya

• भूधरः (bhūdharaḥ): a mountain, earth-bearer

• यथा (yathā): as, like

• विकीर्ण (vikīrṇa): scattered, strewn about

• मुकुट (mukuṭa): crown

• उष्णीष (uṣṇīṣa): turban/diadem/head-ornament

• विस्रस्त (visrasta): slipped down, loosened, fallen away

• अखिल (akhila): all, entire

• भूषणः (bhūṣaṇaḥ): ornaments, jewelry

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial description within the Matsya Purāṇa’s pralaya/war-style episode context)

Entities Mentioned

• Pralaya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Death
• Kingship
• Impermanence
• Puranic Simile

FAQs

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

It uses pralaya as the supreme metaphor for collapse: even the mightiest fall suddenly and completely, like a mountain giving way during cosmic dissolution.

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

By showing royal insignia (crown, ornaments) scattered at death, it underscores that status is temporary; a king or householder should prioritize dharma and right conduct over pride in power or display.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual instruction appears; the verse is primarily a poetic simile (mountain in pralaya) used to convey the totality of downfall and impermanence.