Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

स चित्रयोधी दृढमुष्टिपातस् ततस्तु विष्णुं गरुडं च दैत्यः बाणैर्ज्वलद्वह्निशिखानिकाशैः क्षिप्तैरसंख्यैः परिघातहीनैः //

Transliteration

sa citrayodhī dṛḍhamuṣṭipātas tatastu viṣṇuṃ garuḍaṃ ca daityaḥ bāṇairjvaladvahniśikhānikāśaiḥ kṣiptairasaṃkhyaiḥ parighātahīnaiḥ //

Translation

Then that Daitya—an astonishing warrior, hard-fisted in his blows—assailed both Viṣṇu and Garuḍa, hurling countless arrows like blazing tongues of fire, striking without any pause.

Word by Word

• sa: he

• citra-yodhī: a wondrous/remarkable fighter

• dṛḍha-muṣṭi-pātaḥ: whose fist-blows are firm/forceful

• tataḥ tu: then indeed

• viṣṇum: Viṣṇu

• garuḍam ca: and Garuḍa

• daityaḥ: the demon (Daitya)

• bāṇaiḥ: with arrows

• jvalat: blazing

• vahni-śikhā: flame-tongues of fire

• nikāśaiḥ: resembling/appearing like

• kṣiptaiḥ: hurled/shot

• asaṃkhyaiḥ: innumerable

• parighāta-hīnaiḥ: without cessation in striking / not lacking repeated blows

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the battle narrative (likely within Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu
• Garuḍa
• Daitya

Tags

• Divine warfare
• Daitya battle
• Viṣṇu
• Garuḍa
• Puranic combat imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights Puranic divine warfare imagery—Viṣṇu and Garuḍa being attacked by a Daitya with fire-like arrows—showing the Purāṇic theme of cosmic order defended through battle.

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

Indirectly, it models kṣātra ideals: relentless effort, courage, and steadfast defense of dharma. While not a direct rule for kings or householders, the scene reinforces the ethic of protecting order against destructive forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its technical focus is martial (arrows, fire-like brilliance, unceasing assault), useful mainly for understanding Purāṇic battle-poetics rather than temple architecture rules.