Shloka 138

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

Devanagari script

गात्राण्यसुरसैन्यानाम् अदह्यन्त समन्ततः महिषो निष्प्रयत्नस्तु शीतेनाकम्पिताननः //

Transliteration

gātrāṇyasurasainyānām adahyanta samantataḥ mahiṣo niṣprayatnastu śītenākampitānanaḥ //

Translation

On every side the limbs of the Asura host were scorched; yet the buffalo Mahīṣa, without any exertion, stood with his face unmoved, benumbed by the cold.

Word by Word

• गात्राणि (gātrāṇi): limbs, bodies

• असुर-सैन्यानाम् (asura-sainyānām): of the armies of the Asuras

• अदह्यन्त (adahyanta): were being burned/scorched

• समन्ततः (samantataḥ): on all sides, everywhere

• महिषः (mahiṣaḥ): the buffalo (Mahīṣa/ Mahiṣāsura)

• निष्प्रयत्नः (niṣprayatnaḥ): without effort, inactive

• तु (tu): but, however

• शीतेन (śītena): by cold, by chill

• अकम्पित-आननः (akampita-ānanaḥ): with an unmoving face, unshaken countenance.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battlefield events

Entities Mentioned

• Asuras
• Mahīṣa (buffalo-demon/leader figure)

Tags

• Devasura-yuddha
• Mythic warfare
• Asura host
• Battle imagery
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching; it uses elemental imagery—burning heat versus numbing cold—to depict battlefield conditions and the differing effects on the Asura host.

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

Indirectly, it reflects a common Purāṇic ethic: leaders are tested under extremes. The Asura army collapses under pressure, while the leader’s composure (even if demonic here) highlights the ideal of steadiness expected of rulers in crisis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is primarily a martial description employing elemental effects (heat/cold) rather than temple-building or rite-specific terminology.