Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 54

Devanagari script

सिंहमेकेन तं तीक्ष्णैर् विव्याध दशभिः शरैः जम्भस्तु कर्म तद्दृष्ट्वा धनेशस्यातिदुष्करम् //

Transliteration

siṃhamekena taṃ tīkṣṇair vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ jambhastu karma taddṛṣṭvā dhaneśasyātiduṣkaram //

Translation

ಒಂದು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸಿಂಹದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅವನು ಅವನನ್ನು ಹತ್ತು ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ಭೇದಿಸಿದನು. ಆ ಕೃತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಜಂಭನು—ಇದು ಧನೇಶ (ಕುಬೇರ)ನ ಅತಿದುರ್ಲಭ ಸಾಹಸವೆಂದು ಅರಿತನು.

Word by Word

• सिंहम् (siṃham): a lion

• एकेन (ekena): with one / by a single

• तम् (tam): him

• तीक्ष्णैः (tīkṣṇaiḥ): with sharp

• विव्याध (vivyādha): pierced, wounded

• दशभिः (daśabhiḥ): with ten

• शरैः (śaraiḥ): arrows

• जम्भः (jambhaḥ): Jambha (a named warrior/demon)

• तु (tu): but

• कर्म (karma): deed, act

• तत् (tat): that

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen

• धनेशस्य (dhaneśasya): of Dhanesha, Lord of Wealth (Kubera)

• अति-दुष्करम् (ati-duṣkaram): exceedingly difficult / very hard to accomplish

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relating events (probable narrative voice within the Purāṇic frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambha
• Dhanesha (Kubera)
• Siṃha (lion)

Tags

• Matsya Purana battle narrative
• Kubera
• Asura conflict
• Puranic warfare
• Heroic feat

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a combat feat, highlighting prowess and the recognition of extraordinary martial action.

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

Indirectly, it elevates ideals of valor and discernment: recognizing true prowess (as Jambha acknowledges Kubera’s difficult feat) aligns with kṣātra-dharma themes of courage and judging strength rightly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is focused on martial action and the appraisal of an extraordinary deed.