Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

छिन्ने धनुषि गोविन्दो गदां जग्राह भीषणाम् तां प्राहिणोत्स वेगेन मथनाय महाहवे //

Transliteration

chinne dhanuṣi govindo gadāṃ jagrāha bhīṣaṇām tāṃ prāhiṇotsa vegena mathanāya mahāhave //

Translation

When his bow was cut, Govinda seized a fearsome mace; and in that great battle he hurled it with speed at Mathana.

Word by Word

• छिन्ने: when (it was) cut

• धनुषि: the bow

• गोविन्दः: Govinda (Krishna/Vishnu)

• गदाम्: a mace

• जग्राह: seized/took up

• भीषणाम्: terrible, fearsome

• ताम्: that (mace)

• प्राहिणोत्: hurled/sent forth

• वेगेन: with speed/force

• मथनाय: toward/at Mathana (proper name, dative)

• महाहवे: in the great battle

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice describing the battle)

Entities Mentioned

• Govinda (Krishna/Vishnu)
• Mathana

Tags

• Krishna
• Battle
• Weaponry
• Heroic narrative
• Vaishnava

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a battlefield vignette emphasizing divine valor—Govinda swiftly switching weapons after his bow is cut.

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

Indirectly, it models kṣātra-dharma (the warrior ethic): steadiness under reversal, readiness, and decisive action—qualities praised for rulers and protectors in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is on astras/śastras (weaponry) and the narrative portrayal of combat skill.