Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

दृढं भारसहं सारम् अन्यदादाय कार्मुकम् रौद्रास्त्रमभिसंधाय तस्मिन्बाणं मुमोच ह //

Transliteration

dṛḍhaṃ bhārasahaṃ sāram anyadādāya kārmukam raudrāstramabhisaṃdhāya tasminbāṇaṃ mumoca ha //

Translation

Then, taking up another bow—firm, weight-bearing, and well-tempered—he invoked the dreadful Raudrāstra and released an arrow at him.

Word by Word

• dṛḍham: firm, unyielding

• bhāra-saham: able to bear heavy strain/weight

• sāram: strong, well-made, excellent in substance

• anyat: another (different)

• ādāya: having taken up

• kārmukam: bow

• raudra-astram: the Raudra astra (Rudra/Shiva’s fierce divine missile)

• abhisaṃdhāya: having fixed upon/invoked/charged (the weapon with the astra)

• tasmin: at him/into that (target)

• bāṇam: arrow

• mumoca: released/shot

• ha: indeed/it is said (narrative particle).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the action within the episode (combat narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra (as Raudra-astra)
• Astra (divine weapon)

Tags

• Astras
• Puranic warfare
• Divine weapons
• Combat episode
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on martial action—selecting a powerful bow and invoking the Raudra-astra before releasing an arrow.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kshatriya ideal emphasized across Puranic literature: disciplined use of strength and sanctioned power (astras) in righteous conflict, not random violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual element is the invocation/charging of an astra (abhisaṃdhāya), indicating that divine weapons are activated through prescribed intent/mantra-like procedure rather than mere physical skill.