Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

कुमारं तारको दृष्ट्वा बभाषे भीषणाकृतिः किं बाल योद्धुकामो ऽसि क्रीड कन्दुकलीलया //

Transliteration

kumāraṃ tārako dṛṣṭvā babhāṣe bhīṣaṇākṛtiḥ kiṃ bāla yoddhukāmo 'si krīḍa kandukalīlayā //

Translation

Seeing Kumāra, Tāraka—of terrifying form—spoke: “What is this, child? Do you wish to fight? Go on, play instead with ball-games and childish sport.”

Word by Word

• कुमारम् (kumāram): Kumāra/Skanda, the divine youth

• तारकः (tārakaḥ): Tāraka (the asura)

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• बभाषे (babhāṣe): spoke, addressed

• भीषण-आकृतिः (bhīṣaṇākṛtiḥ): of dreadful/terrifying appearance

• किम् (kim): what?/why?

• बाल (bāla): O child

• योद्धु-कामः (yoddhu-kāmaḥ): desirous of fighting

• असि (asi): are (you)

• क्रीड (krīḍa): play!

• कन्दुक-लीलया (kanduka-līlayā): with ball-play, as a pastime/child’s sport

Speaker

• Tāraka (Asura)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Tāraka

Tags

• Skanda
• Tāraka
• Asura
• Battle-taunt
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a martial mythic narrative where the asura Tāraka mocks the youthful Kumāra before combat.

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

Indirectly, it frames the ethic of rightful valor: a seemingly “young” or underestimated protector can still be the divinely appointed champion—supporting the Purāṇic ideal that dharma may require courageous action rather than mere age-based status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is a narrative taunt emphasizing Kumāra’s apparent youth and Tāraka’s arrogance.