Shloka 73

Matsya Purana — Yadu Lineage

Devanagari script

महासुरा द्वादशसु संग्रामेषु सुरैर् हताः तैस्तैरुपायैर्भूयिष्ठं निहता वः प्रधानतः //

Transliteration

mahāsurā dvādaśasu saṃgrāmeṣu surair hatāḥ taistairupāyairbhūyiṣṭhaṃ nihatā vaḥ pradhānataḥ //

Translation

The mighty Asuras were slain by the Devas in twelve battles; and by those various stratagems, most of your leading chiefs were, above all, repeatedly destroyed.

Word by Word

• mahā-asurāḥ: great/mighty Asuras (demons)

• dvādaśasu: in twelve

• saṃgrāmeṣu: battles/war-engagements

• suraiḥ: by the Devas/gods

• hatāḥ: slain

• taiḥ taiḥ: by those respective/various

• upāyaiḥ: means/strategies/expedients

• bhūyiṣṭham: for the most part/mostly

• nihatāḥ: struck down/killed

• vaḥ: of you/your

• pradhānataḥ: chiefly/especially (in the case of the leaders).

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) recounting the Devas–Asuras conflicts within the Matsya Purana’s running narration

Entities Mentioned

• Asuras
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Devasura War
• Puranic Battles
• Mythic History
• Dharma-Victory
• Cosmic Order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it emphasizes the recurring restoration of cosmic order through the Devas’ victories over disruptive Asuric forces.

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

It highlights the practical role of upāya (strategy and appropriate means): rulers are expected to protect order and defeat adharma through timely, effective measures rather than mere force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the focus is martial and ethical—victory achieved through varied means and the fall of principal leaders.