Shloka 167

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

Devanagari script

तस्मिन्प्रतिहते ह्यस्त्रे भ्रष्टतेजा दिवाकरः महेन्द्रजालमाश्रित्य चक्रे स्वां कोटिशस्तनुम् //

Transliteration

tasminpratihate hyastre bhraṣṭatejā divākaraḥ mahendrajālamāśritya cakre svāṃ koṭiśastanum //

Translation

When that weapon had been checked, the Sun (Divākara), his radiance shaken, resorted to Mahendra’s illusory art and fashioned his own body into millions of forms.

Word by Word

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that (situation/when that)

• प्रतिहते (pratihate): being repelled/checked

• हि (hi): indeed

• अस्त्रे (astre): the weapon/missile

• भ्रष्टतेजाः (bhraṣṭa-tejāḥ): with diminished/shaken brilliance

• दिवाकरः (divākaraḥ): the Sun, the maker of day

• महेन्द्रजालम् (mahendra-jālam): Mahendra’s net—Indra’s illusion/magic art

• आश्रित्य (āśritya): having resorted to/taking refuge in

• चक्रे (cakre): made/produced

• स्वाम् (svām): his own

• कोटिशः (koṭiśaḥ): by crores, in tens of millions

• तनुम् (tanum): body/form

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) describing the event within the chapter’s battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Divākara (Sūrya, the Sun-god)
• Mahendra (Indra)

Tags

• Deva-Asura
• Divine Illusion
• Mahendrajāla
• Mythic Warfare
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it highlights divine māyā (illusion) as a tactical power in mythic combat, where a deity multiplies forms to counter a checked weapon.

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

Indirectly, it illustrates strategic adaptability: when direct force fails, one turns to skilful means (upāya). In ethical readings, it cautions that power must be guided by discernment rather than mere aggression.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the key technical term is “Mahendrajāla,” a Puranic concept of illusion/magical art rather than temple architecture.