Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

शास्त्रैरर्था न दृश्यन्ते समरे निर्भयैर्भटैः शिशुत्वं मावमंस्था मे शिशुः कालभुजंगमः //

Transliteration

śāstrairarthā na dṛśyante samare nirbhayairbhaṭaiḥ śiśutvaṃ māvamaṃsthā me śiśuḥ kālabhujaṃgamaḥ //

Translation

In the clash of battle, the true import of the treatises is not ‘seen’ (i.e., cannot be applied as mere book-knowledge) by soldiers who stand fearless. Do not despise my ‘childhood’—this child of mine is a serpent with the jaws of Time (Death) itself.

Word by Word

śāstraiḥby treatises/scriptures

arthāḥmeanings/purposes/practical import

na dṛśyanteare not perceived/are not made evident

samarein battle

nirbhayaiḥby the fearless

bhaṭaiḥsoldiers/warriors

śiśutvamchildhood/being a child

mā avamaṃsthāḥdo not slight/do not disdain

memy

śiśuḥchild

kāla-bhujaṃgamaḥa Time-(Death)-serpent / serpent embodying Kāla

Speaker

A senior warrior/authority-figure addressing an opponent or listener (contextually within Matsya Purana’s rajadharma-style narrative; exact named speaker not explicit from this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

Kāla (Time/Death)

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it uses Kāla (Time/Death) as a metaphor for inevitable destruction, emphasizing existential urgency rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It teaches practical discernment: rulers and warriors must not rely on theory alone in crises, and they must not underestimate seemingly weak opponents—sound governance includes realistic assessment and courage under pressure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual rule appears; the verse is primarily niti/rajadharma in tone, using the ‘serpent of Time’ image to stress strategic seriousness.