Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्ममस्त्रं चकारासौ सर्वास्त्रविनिवारणम् तेन तत्प्रशमं यातं रौद्रास्त्रं लोकघस्मरम् //

Transliteration

brāhmamastraṃ cakārāsau sarvāstravinivāraṇam tena tatpraśamaṃ yātaṃ raudrāstraṃ lokaghasmaram //

Translation

He then deployed the Brahma-weapon, the countermeasure that restrains all other weapons; by it, the world-devouring Raudra-weapon was brought to calm and cessation.

Word by Word

brāhmam astramthe Brahma-astra (Brahmā’s divine missile)

cakārahe employed/activated

asauthat one/he

sarva-astra-vinivāraṇamthe restrainer/neutralizer of all weapons

tenaby that (weapon)

tat-praśamamits pacification/quelling

yātamwas attained/was brought about

raudra-astramthe Raudra-astra (Rudra/Śiva’s fierce missile)

loka-ghasmaramworld-devouring, consuming the worlds

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing the event (likely within a dialogue framework of Matsya Purana narration)

Entities Mentioned

Brahma-astraRaudra-astraBrahmāRudra (Śiva)

FAQs

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

It highlights a pralaya-like threat—an unstoppable, world-consuming force (loka-ghasmaram)—and shows that cosmic order is preserved through a higher, restraining power that can pacify such destruction.

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

It implies dharmic restraint: even when powerful means exist, the righteous priority is to prevent harm to the world. A ruler’s duty is to neutralize destructive forces and protect subjects rather than escalate violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule detail appears directly; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic principle of śamana (pacification) and vinivāraṇa (restraint), where higher mantric/ritual authority is used to avert catastrophic outcomes.