Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with the Daityas: Astra-Combat

Devanagari script

असम्भ्रान्तो रणे विष्णुर् अथ जग्राह कार्मुकम् शरांश्चाशीविषाकारांस् तैलधौतानजिह्मगान् //

Transliteration

asambhrānto raṇe viṣṇur atha jagrāha kārmukam śarāṃścāśīviṣākārāṃs tailadhautānajihmagān //

Translation

Unperturbed in the battle, Viṣṇu then took up his bow, and also took arrows like venomous serpents—oil-polished and perfectly straight, without any bend.

Word by Word

• asambhrāntaḥ: unconfused, unagitated

• raṇe: in battle

• viṣṇuḥ: Lord Viṣṇu

• atha: then

• jagrāha: seized, took up

• kārmukam: bow

• śarān: arrows

• ca: and

• āśīviṣa-ākārān: having the form/likeness of poisonous serpents

• taila-dhautān: washed/polished with oil

• ajihmagān: not crooked, straight (lit. not going crooked).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing the scene

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu

Tags

• Battle
• Vishnu
• Weapons
• Dharma-yuddha
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on Viṣṇu’s calm readiness in battle, emphasizing divine composure and martial preparedness.

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

It models the kṣatriya ideal of steadiness under pressure: one should act without panic, using well-prepared means (straight, well-kept weapons) when protecting dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the practical detail of oil-polished, straight arrows reflects disciplined preparation, a value echoed in ritual and technical disciplines elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa.