Shloka 159

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

Devanagari script

शिरांसि केषांचिदपातयच्च भुजान्रथान्सारथींश्चोग्रवेगः कांश्चित् पिपेषाथ रथस्य वेगात् कांश्चित्क्रुधा चोद्धतमुष्टिपातैः //

Transliteration

śirāṃsi keṣāṃcidapātayacca bhujānrathānsārathīṃścogravegaḥ kāṃścit pipeṣātha rathasya vegāt kāṃścitkrudhā coddhatamuṣṭipātaiḥ //

Translation

With terrifying speed, he struck down the heads of some, and cut off the arms of others; he toppled chariots and their charioteers as well. Some he crushed beneath the force of his chariot’s rush, and some—out of wrath—he felled with heavy blows of his upraised fists.

Word by Word

• śirāṃsi: heads

• keṣāṃcit: of some

• apātayat: caused to fall/struck down

• ca: and

• bhujān: arms

• rathān: chariots

• sārathīn: charioteers

• ca: and

• ugra-vegaḥ: (he) of fierce speed/impetuous force

• kāṃścit: some (others)

• pipeṣa: crushed/pulverized

• atha: then/indeed

• rathasya: of the chariot

• vegāt: from the speed/force

• kāṃścit: some

• krudhā: with anger/in wrath

• ca: and

• uddhata: raised/upraised

• muṣṭi-pātaiḥ: with blows of the fist.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode within the Matsya Purana’s royal-legend narrative

Tags

• Royal battle
• Kshatriya valor
• Epic combat
• Dynasties
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a vivid battlefield description emphasizing speed, force, and fury in combat.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kshatriya sphere of duty (rajadharma) through martial prowess and protection of order; the focus here is on the intensity of warfare rather than explicit ethical instruction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple-architecture rule, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the imagery centers on chariots, charioteers, and physical combat.