Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

भूर्दिशो विदिशश्चैव बाणजालमया बभुः दृष्ट्वा तदस्त्रमाहात्म्यं सेननीर् ग्रसनो ऽसुरः //

Transliteration

bhūrdiśo vidiśaścaiva bāṇajālamayā babhuḥ dṛṣṭvā tadastramāhātmyaṃ senanīr grasano 'suraḥ //

Translation

The earth—and the quarters and intermediate directions as well—became as though woven into a net of arrows. Seeing the might of that missile, the Asura commander, Grasana, was seized with dread.

Word by Word

• bhūḥ: the earth

• diśaḥ: the (cardinal) directions/quarters

• vidiśaḥ: the intermediate directions

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• bāṇa-jāla-mayā: consisting of a net of arrows

• babhūḥ: became/turned into

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• tad-astra-māhātmyam: the greatness/power of that weapon (astra)

• senanīḥ: commander/leader of the army

• grasanaḥ: Grasana (proper name)

• asuraḥ: the Asura (demon).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battle scene (likely framed as a Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Grasana
• Asura
• Astra
• Bāṇajāla (net of arrows)

Tags

• Astra
• Battle
• Asura
• Divine weapons
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya; it uses cosmic geography (earth, directions) to convey the overwhelming spread of an astra’s arrow-net across all space.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya sphere of protection and warfare: the proper use (and fear) of astras underscores disciplined martial power rather than domestic or royal administrative duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the technical focus is on astra-lakṣaṇa (the manifested effect of a weapon), portrayed as an all-encompassing ‘net of arrows’ filling the directions.