Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

अस्त्रे प्रतिहते तस्मिन् विष्णुर्दानवसूदनः कालदण्डास्त्रमकरोत् सर्वलोकभयंकरम् //

Transliteration

astre pratihate tasmin viṣṇurdānavasūdanaḥ kāladaṇḍāstramakarot sarvalokabhayaṃkaram //

Translation

When that weapon had been countered, Viṣṇu—the slayer of the Dānavas—then deployed the Kāla-daṇḍa missile, terrifying to all the worlds.

Word by Word

• अस्त्रे: by/that weapon

• प्रतिहते: being repelled, countered, rendered ineffective

• तस्मिन्: when that (weapon) / in that circumstance

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu

• दानवसूदनः: slayer of the Dānavas (demons)

• कालदण्डास्त्रम्: the Kāla-daṇḍa weapon (the ‘Rod of Time/Death’ missile)

• अकरोत्: made, set in motion, unleashed

• सर्वलोकभयंकरम्: fearsome/terrifying to all worlds

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu
• Dānava

Tags

• DivineWeapons
• DaityaDānavaWar
• Vishnu
• Astras
• PuranicMythology

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes cosmic protection—Viṣṇu escalates to a ‘Time/Death’ weapon when earlier force is neutralized, underscoring divine control over destructive power.

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

By analogy, it models rājadharma: when ordinary measures fail against threats, the protector must act decisively to restore order—yet with authority aligned to dharma, not personal rage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the technical focus is astravidyā (weapon-lore) and the notion of Kāla (Time) as a sanctioned instrument of divine justice.