Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

तदा विष्णुसहायेन महेन्द्रेण निवर्तितः हतो ध्वजे महेन्द्रेण मायाच्छन्नस्तु योगवित् ध्वजलक्षणमाविश्य विप्रचित्तिः सहानुजः //

Transliteration

tadā viṣṇusahāyena mahendreṇa nivartitaḥ hato dhvaje mahendreṇa māyācchannastu yogavit dhvajalakṣaṇamāviśya vipracittiḥ sahānujaḥ //

Translation

Then, aided by Viṣṇu, Mahendra (Indra) checked him. And upon Indra’s banner he was struck down by Mahendra—though that master of yogic power was concealed by illusion—when Vipracitti, together with his younger brother, entered into the form/sign of the banner.

Word by Word

• tadā: then

• viṣṇu-sahāyena: with Viṣṇu as an ally/with Viṣṇu’s assistance

• mahendreṇa: by Mahendra (Indra)

• nivartitaḥ: turned back, checked, restrained

• hataḥ: slain, struck down

• dhvaje: on/at the banner (standard)

• māyā-channaḥ: hidden/veiled by illusion

• tu: indeed, however

• yoga-vit: knower of yoga, one skilled in yogic powers

• dhvaja-lakṣaṇam: the banner’s mark/sign/form (emblematic appearance)

• āviśya: having entered, having possessed

• vipracittiḥ: Vipracitti (a Daitya)

• saha-anujaḥ: together with his younger brother.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu
• Mahendra (Indra)
• Vipracitti
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Indra
• Maya
• Yoga
• Battle Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it highlights māyā (illusion) and yogic concealment within a Deva–Asura battle, showing how supernatural powers are overcome through divine aid (Viṣṇu’s support) and Indra’s prowess.

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

Indirectly, it models rājanīti themes: a leader’s success depends on right alliances (Viṣṇu as sahāya), vigilance against deception (māyā), and decisive action when an enemy uses disguise or infiltration.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple rule is taught here; the key technical term is dhvaja (banner/standard), significant in royal and ritual symbolism as an emblem of authority and battlefield auspiciousness rather than building science.