Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

निष्पेषणे तयोर्भीमम् अभूद्गगनगोचरम् निहत्याथ गदां दण्डस् ततो ग्रसनमूर्धनि //

Transliteration

niṣpeṣaṇe tayorbhīmam abhūdgaganagocaram nihatyātha gadāṃ daṇḍas tato grasanamūrdhani //

Translation

As the two crushed and struck at one another, a dreadful clash arose, seeming to range through the sky. Then Daṇḍa struck down the mace (gadā) and thereafter delivered his blow upon Grasanamūrdhan’s head.

Word by Word

• निष्पेषणे: in the pounding/crushing fight

• तयोः: of the two

• भीमम्: terrifying, dreadful

• अभूत्: arose, came to be

• गगनगोचरम्: moving in/echoing through the sky (sky-ranging)

• निहत्य: having struck down, having felled

• अथ: then

• गदाम्: the mace

• दण्डः: (the warrior named) Daṇḍa

• ततः: thereafter

• ग्रसनमूर्धनि: on the head (mūrdhan) of Grasanamūrdhan (proper name)

Speaker

• Suta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Daṇḍa
• Grasanamūrdhan

Tags

• Dynasties
• Battle
• Itihasa
• Heroic episode
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it is a martial description emphasizing the intensity of a duel whose impact is portrayed as echoing up to the sky.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya ethic found across Purāṇic royal narratives: valor in combat, overcoming an opponent’s weapon, and decisive action in battle—qualities expected of rulers and protectors in dharma-based kingship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is purely on battlefield action and heroic imagery.