Shloka 120

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A...

Devanagari script

चिछेदास्य शरव्रातान् स्वशरैर् अतिलाघवात् ध्वजं परमतीक्ष्णेन चित्रकर्मामरद्विषः //

Transliteration

cichedāsya śaravrātān svaśarair atilāghavāt dhvajaṃ paramatīkṣṇena citrakarmāmaradviṣaḥ //

Translation

With great swiftness, the foe of the gods—skilled in wondrous martial craft—cut down his volleys of arrows with his own arrows, and with an exceedingly sharp shaft he also severed the standard (dhvaja).

Word by Word

• ciccheda: cut off, severed

• āsya: of him, his

• śara-vrātān: multitudes/volleys of arrows

• sva-śaraiḥ: with his own arrows

• ati-lāghavāt: due to extraordinary speed/lightness (quickness of hand)

• dhvajam: the banner, standard

• parama-tīkṣṇena: with an extremely sharp (arrow)

• citra-karma: possessing marvelous skill/variegated workmanship (in warfare)

• amara-dviṣaḥ: enemy of the immortals (gods).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing the battle

Entities Mentioned

• Amaras (Devas)
• Amaradviṣ (enemy of the gods)
• Dhvaja (battle-standard)

Tags

• Battle
• Archery
• Daitya–Deva conflict
• Heroic narrative
• Martial skill

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmogony; it is a battlefield description emphasizing speed, precision, and the disabling of an opponent by cutting down his arrows and banner.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra ideal valued in Purāṇic ethics—discipline, alertness, and mastery of arms—where protecting order (dharma) includes the trained capacity to neutralize threats efficiently.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified; the only symbolic element is the dhvaja (standard), a common emblem of authority and morale in war, whose severing signifies tactical defeat and loss of prestige.