Shloka 32

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

कुमारिवध्यो ऽसि रणं विमुञ्च शुम्भासुर स्वल्पतरैरहोभिः वधं न मत्तो ऽर्हसि चेह मूढ वृथैव किं युद्धसमुत्सुको ऽसि //

Transliteration

kumārivadhyo 'si raṇaṃ vimuñca śumbhāsura svalpatarairahobhiḥ vadhaṃ na matto 'rhasi ceha mūḍha vṛthaiva kiṃ yuddhasamutsuko 'si //

Translation

You are destined to be slain by a maiden—abandon this battle, O Shumbha-asura, for your days are but few. You do not deserve death at my hands here, fool; why are you vainly so eager for war?

Word by Word

• kumārī: a maiden/young goddess

• vadhyaḥ asi: you are to be slain/destined for killing

• raṇam: battle

• vimuñca: abandon/leave

• śumbha-asura: O demon Shumbha

• svalpataraiḥ: by very few/with a small number (of)

• ahobhiḥ: days

• vadham: killing/death

• na … arhasi: you do not deserve/are not fit (for)

• mattaḥ: from me/by me

• iha: here

• mūḍha: deluded one/fool

• vṛthā eva: merely in vain

• kim: why?

• yuddha-samutsukaḥ asi: you are eager/ardent for battle

Speaker

• The Goddess (Kumari/Devi, speaking as the maiden-warrior)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumari (the Maiden-Goddess)
• Shumbha (Asura)

Tags

• Devi
• Shumbha
• Battle
• Prophecy
• Dharma-yuddha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Devi’s martial narrative, emphasizing fate (destiny of Shumbha’s death) and the moral downfall of demonic pride rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It warns against needless aggression and ego-driven conflict; ethically, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that war should be restrained by discernment (viveka) and humility, not pursued out of vanity or craving for dominance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its ritual takeaway is devotional—reciting such Devi-verses is traditionally linked with cultivating courage and removing arrogance (mada) and delusion (moha).