Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

संतते मायया सैन्ये हन्यमाने च दानवैः चोदितो देवराजेन वरुणो वाक्यमब्रवीत् //

Transliteration

saṃtate māyayā sainye hanyamāne ca dānavaiḥ codito devarājena varuṇo vākyamabravīt //

Translation

When the army had been thrown into confusion by illusion and was being cut down by the Dānavas, Varuṇa—urged on by the king of the gods—spoke these words.

Word by Word

• संतते: when spread out/extended, when it had ensued

• मायया: by illusion, by magical delusion

• सैन्ये: in the army

• हन्यमाने: being slain, being struck down

• च: and

• दानवैः: by the Dānavas (demonic clans)

• चोदितो: prompted, urged

• देवराजेन: by the king of the gods (Indra)

• वरुणो: Varuṇa (lord of waters, Āditya)

• वाक्यम्: speech, statement

• अब्रवीत्: said, spoke.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting Varuṇa’s intervention; Varuṇa is about to speak (next verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa
• Devarāja (Indra)
• Dānavas

Tags

• Devāsura War
• Māyā (Illusion)
• Indra
• Varuṇa
• Protection

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic creation or pralaya; it depicts battlefield māyā (illusion) causing confusion and destruction, a common Purāṇic motif distinct from universal dissolution.

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

It indirectly reflects rājanīti: when a force is overwhelmed (even by deception), the leader seeks timely counsel from capable allies—here Indra prompts Varuṇa—showing the duty to respond decisively to protect one’s people.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is the recognition of māyā as a destabilizing force that, in Purāṇic contexts, is countered by divine counsel, mantras, or protective measures described in adjacent passages.