Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

समासाद्य तु ते ऽन्योन्यं प्रक्रमेण विलोमतः रथेनासक्तपादातो रथेन च तुरंगमः //

Transliteration

samāsādya tu te 'nyonyaṃ prakrameṇa vilomataḥ rathenāsaktapādāto rathena ca turaṃgamaḥ //

Translation

互いに接近したなら、逆の順序で一歩一歩機動すべきである。戦車に足を取られた歩兵も、同様に騎兵も、戦車によって対処されるべきである。

Word by Word

• समासाद्य: having approached/closed in

• तु: then/indeed

• ते: they

• अन्योन्यम्: each other/mutually

• प्रक्रमेण: in due sequence/step by step

• विलोमतः: in reverse order/oppositely

• रथेन: by/with a chariot

• आसक्त-पादातः: the foot-soldier (pādāta) whose feet are entangled/caught (āsakta)

• रथेन च: and by the chariot

• तुरङ्गमः: the horseman/one mounted on a horse

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructional discourse to Vaivasvata Manu; Rajadharma-style guidance)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ratha (chariot)
• Pādāta (infantry)
• Turaṅgama (cavalry)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Battle tactics
• Chariot
• Military order

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is tactical and belongs to Rajadharma-style instruction, focusing on battlefield movement rather than cosmic creation or Pralaya.

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

It supports the king’s duty to maintain order and protect the realm through disciplined military conduct—emphasizing sequence, controlled maneuvering, and proper deployment of chariots against infantry and cavalry.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical significance here is military—how a ratha (chariot unit) engages foot-soldiers and horsemen during close combat and withdrawal/retrograde maneuver.