Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

मृधो बलिविमर्दाय सम्प्रवृद्धः सुदारुणः देवानामसुराणां च घोरः क्षयकरो महान् //

Transliteration

mṛdho balivimardāya sampravṛddhaḥ sudāruṇaḥ devānāmasurāṇāṃ ca ghoraḥ kṣayakaro mahān //

Translation

To crush the mighty Bali in battle, the War-Spirit (Mṛdha) swelled forth—most dreadful—terrifying both gods and demons alike, a great power bringing ruin and destruction.

Word by Word

• mṛdhaḥ: the war-spirit/personified battle (Mṛdha)

• bali-vimardāya: for the crushing/overthrow of Bali (or ‘the mighty’)

• sampravṛddhaḥ: fully grown, greatly increased, surged forth

• su-dāruṇaḥ: exceedingly terrible, very fierce

• devānām: of the gods

• asurāṇām: of the demons

• ca: and

• ghoraḥ: frightful, dreadful

• kṣaya-karaḥ: causing destruction/ruin

• mahān: great, mighty

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic account; dialogue context likely framed for Manu’s instruction in the broader Matsya narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Mṛdha
• Devas
• Asuras
• Bali

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Cosmic conflict
• Destruction
• Purāṇic personification
• Kṣaya

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like destructive force arising from conflict: a ‘kṣayakara’ power that brings ruin to both sides, showing how cosmic disorder can generate widespread destruction even without a literal flood.

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

By portraying war as a terrifying force that harms both parties, it implicitly supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical stance that rulers should restrain violence, pursue dharma-driven governance, and avoid conflicts that lead to mutual kṣaya (ruin).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its takeaway is thematic—ritual and governance aim to avert ‘ghora’ destructive conditions that threaten social and cosmic order.