Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

पट्टिशैर्मुशलैः पाशैर् गदाभिः कुणपैरपि तीक्ष्णाननैश्च नाराचैश् चक्रैः शक्तिभिरेव च //

Transliteration

paṭṭiśairmuśalaiḥ pāśair gadābhiḥ kuṇapairapi tīkṣṇānanaiśca nārācaiś cakraiḥ śaktibhireva ca //

Translation

They struck with battle-axes, clubs, nooses, and maces; also with barbed missiles; with sharp-pointed arrows, discus-weapons, and spears as well.

Word by Word

• पट्टिशैः (paṭṭiśaiḥ): with battle-axes

• मुशलैः (muśalaiḥ): with clubs/pestles

• पाशैः (pāśaiḥ): with nooses/lassos

• गदाभिः (gadābhiḥ): with maces

• कुणपैः (kuṇapaiḥ): with barbed/knobbed missiles or heavy striking weapons

• अपि (api): also

• तीक्ष्ण-आननैः (tīkṣṇa-ānanaiḥ): with sharp-pointed/sharp-faced (weapons)

• च (ca): and

• नाराचैः (nārācaiḥ): with iron arrows/steel-tipped shafts

• चक्रैः (cakraiḥ): with discus-weapons

• शक्तिभिः (śaktibhiḥ): with spears/javelins

• एव (eva): indeed/also

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Likely Suta (narrator) reporting the discourse; within the Matsya Purana’s dominant frame this is ultimately taught as Lord Matsya’s instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on governance and warfare

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Weapons
• Dhanurveda
• Kshatriya-Duty

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is not about pralaya; it is a martial catalogue describing the kinds of weapons used in battle.

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

It aligns with rājadharma: a king must maintain an equipped army and understand weaponry and battlefield methods to protect subjects and uphold order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is strictly focused on armaments (axes, clubs, nooses, maces, arrows, discus, spears).