Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 182

Devanagari script

परस्परं व्यलीयन्त पृष्ठेषु व्यस्त्रपाणयः स्वेषु बाधे व्यलीयन्त गजेषु तुरगेषु च //

Transliteration

parasparaṃ vyalīyanta pṛṣṭheṣu vyastrapāṇayaḥ sveṣu bādhe vyalīyanta gajeṣu turageṣu ca //

Translation

Aferrándose unos a otros, con las armas en la mano, se apretaron contra las espaldas de sus compañeros. En el apretujón y la refriega quedaron enredados incluso dentro de sus propias filas, entre elefantes y caballos por igual.

Word by Word

• परस्परम्: mutually, with one another

• व्यलीयन्त: merged together, became entangled/pressed in close

• पृष्ठेषु: on the backs (of others / of mounts)

• व्यस्त्र-पाणयः: having weapons in the hands, weapon-handed

• स्वेषु: among their own (men/ranks)

• बाधे: in obstruction, press, crush, mêlée

• गजेषु: among elephants

• तुरगेषु: among horses

• च: and

Speaker

• Suta (or the Purana’s narrator) describing the battle scene (narrative voice; not direct Matsya–Manu dialogue in this verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Gaja (elephants)
• Turaga (horses)

Tags

• Battle
• Close combat
• War elephants
• Cavalry
• Epic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts battlefield chaos—combatants pressing together and becoming entangled among elephants and horses.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kshatriya sphere: the realities of warfare that a king must manage—discipline of ranks, control of mounts, and the dangers of disorder in battle.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is martial imagery (crowding, obstruction, elephants and horses in combat).