Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

ततो ऽभिसंध्य दैत्यांस्तान् आकर्णाकृष्टकार्मुकः अभ्यद्रवद्रणे क्रुद्धो दैत्यानीके तु पौरुषात् //

Transliteration

tato 'bhisaṃdhya daityāṃstān ākarṇākṛṣṭakārmukaḥ abhyadravadraṇe kruddho daityānīke tu pauruṣāt //

Translation

Then, taking aim at those Daityas and drawing his bow back to the ear, he rushed into the battle in wrath, charging straight into the Daitya host through sheer valor.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• abhisaṃdhya: having aimed at, having targeted

• daityān: the Daityas (demons)

• tān: those

• ākarṇa-ākṛṣṭa: drawn back up to the ear (fully drawn)

• kārmukaḥ: (he) with the bow / the bowman

• abhyadravat: rushed forward, charged

• raṇe: in battle

• kruddhaḥ: enraged

• daitya-anīke: into the Daitya army/host

• tu: indeed, and

• pauruṣāt: from manly strength, valor, heroism.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing the battle scene

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas

Tags

• Battle
• Daityas
• Valor
• Archery
• Heroic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is a battlefield description emphasizing decisive action and martial prowess against the Daityas.

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

By portraying disciplined courage and purposeful action (aiming, then charging), the verse aligns with kṣātra-dharma ideals—steadfastness and protection through valor when confronting forces that threaten order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is referenced here; the technical focus is martial—archery readiness (ākarṇākṛṣṭa) and the dynamics of entering an enemy formation (anīka).