Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

तदा मृतैर्गजैरश्वैर् जनार्दनमयोधयन् समन्तात्कोटिशो दैत्याः सर्वतः प्रत्ययोधयन् //

Transliteration

tadā mṛtairgajairaśvair janārdanamayodhayan samantātkoṭiśo daityāḥ sarvataḥ pratyayodhayan //

Translation

Then the Daityas, in their millions, attacked Janārdana from every side, assailing Him all around with elephants and horses—even with those that were already dead.

Word by Word

• tadā: then

• mṛtaiḥ: with dead (ones), with carcasses

• gajaiḥ: with elephants

• aśvaiḥ: with horses

• janārdanam: Janārdana (Viṣṇu, the Slayer of the foes of men)

• ayodhayan: they fought/assailed (him)

• samantāt: on all sides, all around

• koṭiśaḥ: by crores, in vast multitudes

• daityāḥ: Daityas (demons, sons of Diti)

• sarvataḥ: from every direction

• pratyayodhayan: they counter-attacked/pressed the fight against (him).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle (narrative voice within the Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Janardana
• Daityas

Tags

• Daitya-war
• Vishnu
• Battle-narrative
• Puranic-epic-style
• Divine-protection

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it depicts a battlefield scene where cosmic disorder is symbolized by Daityas surrounding Janārdana, highlighting divine intervention rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that adharma can become overwhelming “from all sides,” and righteous leadership must remain steadfast—mirroring Janārdana’s unshaken stance amid massed opposition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse functions as martial narration, useful mainly for contextualizing later dharmic or devotional themes rather than temple-architecture rules.