Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

ततः क्षीणायुधप्राणा दानवा भ्रान्तचेतसः अस्त्राण्यादातुमभवन्न् असमर्था यदा रणे //

Transliteration

tataḥ kṣīṇāyudhaprāṇā dānavā bhrāntacetasaḥ astrāṇyādātumabhavann asamarthā yadā raṇe //

Translation

Then the Dānavas—spent of their weapons and strength, and bewildered in mind—became unable, in the midst of battle, to take up their missiles, being powerless on the battlefield.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• kṣīṇa: exhausted, diminished

• āyudha: weapons

• prāṇa: vitality, life-breath, strength

• dānavāḥ: the Dānavas (a class of asuras)

• bhrānta: confused, deluded

• cetasaḥ: in mind, mentally

• astrāṇi: missiles, weapons (esp. projectile/divine weapons)

• ādātum: to take, to seize, to pick up

• abhavan: became, came to be

• asamarthāḥ: incapable, powerless

• yadā: when

• raṇe: in battle, on the battlefield

Speaker

• Sūta/Narrator (epic-purāṇic narrative voice; specific interlocutors not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Battle Narrative
• Asuras
• Defeat
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it depicts a battlefield turning-point where the Dānavas become exhausted and mentally confused, unable to wield their astras.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a dharmic lesson valued in the Matsya Purana’s ethical frame: victory depends on steadiness of mind and maintained strength; confusion and depletion render even armed forces ineffective—an admonition relevant to royal leadership and disciplined conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is purely martial, focusing on exhaustion, loss of capability, and the failure to take up weapons in battle.