Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

यत्र ते दानवा घोराः सर्वे सङ्ग्रामदुर्जयाः घ्नन्ति देवगणान्सर्वान् सयक्षोरगराक्षसान् //

Transliteration

yatra te dānavā ghorāḥ sarve saṅgrāmadurjayāḥ ghnanti devagaṇānsarvān sayakṣoragarākṣasān //

Translation

There, those dreadful Dānava demons—invincible in battle—slay all the hosts of the gods, along with the Yakṣas, Nāgas (serpentine beings), and Rākṣasas.

Word by Word

• yatra: where/there

• te: those

• dānavāḥ: Dānava demons (sons/line of Danu)

• ghorāḥ: terrible, fearsome

• sarve: all

• saṅgrāma-durjayāḥ: hard to conquer in battle, battle-invincible

• ghnanti: they strike down/kill

• deva-gaṇān: the groups/hosts of gods

• sarvān: all

• sa-yakṣa: together with Yakṣas

• uraga: serpents/Nāgas

• rākṣasān: Rākṣasas (demonic beings)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice recounting the conflict; framed within Matsya Purana discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānava
• Deva-gaṇa
• Yakṣa
• Uraga (Nāga)
• Rākṣasa

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Manvantara
• Cosmic Conflict
• Puranic Battles
• Matsya Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya directly; it highlights cyclical cosmic disorder where demonic forces overpower divine hosts—an imbalance that, in Purāṇic worldview, often precedes divine intervention and restoration of dharma.

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

By portraying the consequences of unchecked adharma and violent domination, it implicitly supports the king’s duty to protect social and cosmic order (dharma-rakṣaṇa), restrain destructive forces, and safeguard communities—mirroring the gods’ role on a human scale.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse; its ritual takeaway is indirect—such battle narratives commonly frame the need for protective rites and dharmic observances that uphold order when hostile forces threaten it.