Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

जग्राह शक्तिमुग्राग्राम् अष्टघण्टोत्कटस्वनाम् जम्भाय तां समुद्दिश्य प्राहिणोद्रणभीषणः //

Transliteration

jagrāha śaktimugrāgrām aṣṭaghaṇṭotkaṭasvanām jambhāya tāṃ samuddiśya prāhiṇodraṇabhīṣaṇaḥ //

Translation

Terrible in battle, he seized a fierce śakti whose harsh clang was like eight bells striking; aiming it at Jambha, he hurled it forth.

Word by Word

• jagrāha: seized/took up

• śaktim: a spear, lance (śakti-weapon)

• ugrāgrām: exceedingly fierce, formidable

• aṣṭa: eight

• ghaṇṭā: bell

• utkaṭa-svanām: having a loud/violent sound

• jambhāya: for/against Jambha (name of an asura/daitya)

• tāṃ: that (spear)

• samuddiśya: having aimed/targeted, directing towards

• prāhiṇot: hurled/sent forth

• raṇa-bhīṣaṇaḥ: dreadful/terrifying in battle

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode (third-person narration within the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambha
• Śakti (spear weapon)

Tags

• Battle
• Daitya
• Weaponry
• Puranic warfare
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on a battlefield moment—weapon selection, aiming, and the dramatic sound imagery used to convey martial intensity.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya ethic praised in Purāṇic literature: courage, readiness, and decisive action against destructive forces (often symbolized by daityas). It is more about heroic conduct than household dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the key technical element is the śakti weapon and the poetic detail of its bell-like clang, typical of Purāṇic battle aesthetics rather than architectural instruction.