Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Asuras; Birth of Aurva Fire; Countering Tamasī Māyā through ...

Devanagari script

दैत्यचापच्युतान् घोरांश् छित्त्वा वज्रेण ताञ्छरान् शक्रो दैत्यबलं घोरं विवेश बहुलोचनः //

Transliteration

daityacāpacyutān ghorāṃś chittvā vajreṇa tāñcharān śakro daityabalaṃ ghoraṃ viveśa bahulocanaḥ //

Translation

Having hewn down with his thunderbolt those dreadful arrows discharged from the Daityas’ bows, Śakra (Indra), the many‑eyed one, pressed into the fearsome army of the Daityas.

Word by Word

• दैत्य (daitya): Daitya, demon (sons/tribe of Diti)

• चाप (cāpa): bow

• च्युतान् (cyutān): released, shot forth

• घोरान् (ghorān): terrible, dreadful

• छित्त्वा (chittvā): having cut, having shattered

• वज्रेण (vajreṇa): with the Vajra, thunderbolt weapon

• तान् (tān): those

• शरान् (śarān): arrows

• शक्रः (śakraḥ): Indra

• दैत्यबलम् (daityabalam): the Daitya force/army

• घोरम् (ghoram): formidable, fearsome

• विवेश (viveśa): entered, penetrated, advanced into

• बहुलोचनः (bahulocanaḥ): the many‑eyed one (epithet of Indra).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Indra (Śakra)
• Daityas
• Vajra

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Indra
• Vajra
• Battle Narrative
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a Deva–Daitya battle, emphasizing divine protection and the triumph of dharmic order through Indra’s Vajra.

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

By portraying Indra breaking the enemy’s assault and advancing into danger, it models kṣātra-dharma ideals—courage, protection of order, and decisive action against forces that threaten stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the key takeaway is symbolic—Vajra as a dharmic instrument that ‘cuts through’ obstacles, a motif sometimes echoed in protective rites and martial iconography.