Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

त्वया न दानवा दृष्टा यत्सङ्गरविभीषकाः बालत्वादथ ते बुद्धिर् एवं स्वल्पार्थदर्शिनी //

Transliteration

tvayā na dānavā dṛṣṭā yatsaṅgaravibhīṣakāḥ bālatvādatha te buddhir evaṃ svalpārthadarśinī //

Translation

You have not yet seen the Dānavas—those who are terrifying in the clash of battle. Because of your youth, your understanding is thus narrow, seeing only a small part of the matter.

Word by Word

• tvayā: by you

• na: not

• dānavāḥ: the Dānavas (a class of powerful anti-gods/demons)

• dṛṣṭāḥ: seen/encountered

• yat: who/which

• saṅgara: battle/war

• vibhīṣakāḥ: frightful/terror-inspiring

• bālatvāt: due to boyhood/youth

• atha: therefore/then

• te: your

• buddhiḥ: intellect/judgement

• evaṁ: thus/in this way

• svalpa-artha: small meaning/limited point

• darśinī: seeing/considering (feminine agreeing with buddhiḥ as “faculty”).

Speaker

• Likely a senior advisor/teacher figure addressing a younger interlocutor within the Rajadharma discourse (traditional frame: Sūta narrating; primary didactic voice within the chapter admonishes youthful overconfidence).

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas
• Saṅgara (battle)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Nīti
• Discernment
• Courage

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to practical counsel on warfare and judgement, warning that lack of experience leads to underestimating formidable forces.

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

It teaches prudence central to a king’s duty: assess threats realistically, avoid rash decisions born of inexperience, and cultivate mature judgement before entering conflict.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the focus is political-ethical instruction (nīti) concerning war and discernment.