Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 141

Devanagari script

भो भोः शृङ्गारिणः शराः सर्वे शस्त्रास्त्रपारगाः एकैको ऽपि जगत्सर्वं शक्तस्तुलयितुं भुजैः //

Transliteration

bho bhoḥ śṛṅgāriṇaḥ śarāḥ sarve śastrāstrapāragāḥ ekaiko 'pi jagatsarvaṃ śaktastulayituṃ bhujaiḥ //

Translation

“ഹോ! ഹോ! ശോഭനരും വേഗവാന്മാരായ ധനുർധരന്മാരേ! നിങ്ങൾ എല്ലാവരും ശസ്ത്രാസ്ത്രങ്ങളിൽ പാരംഗതരാണ്. നിങ്ങളിൽ ഓരോരുത്തനും ഒറ്റയ്ക്കായി ഭുജബലത്തോടെ സർവ്വജഗത്തെയും തുലാസിൽ തൂക്കാൻ ശേഷിയുള്ളവൻ.”

Word by Word

• भो भोः: ho! ho! (a loud call/challenge)

• शृङ्गारिणः: splendid, adorned, spirited (used as a laudatory epithet)

• शराः: archers / men of arrows

• सर्वे: all

• शस्त्रास्त्र-पारगाः: those who have gone to the far shore (i.e., mastered) of weapons (śastra) and missiles (astra)

• एकैकः अपि: even each single one

• जगत् सर्वम्: the entire world

• शक्तः: capable, powerful

• तुलयितुम्: to weigh, to balance (as on a scale)

• भुजैः: by (their) arms, by strength.

Speaker

• Narrator in a heroic/courtly exchange (likely a warrior/announcer addressing fighters; exact speaker not explicit from the single verse)

Tags

• Martial Prowess
• Shastra-Astra
• Royal Narrative
• Heroic Praise
• Purana Poetry

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a heroic boast/praise focusing on warriors’ mastery of weapons and extraordinary strength.

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

It reflects the Kshatriya ideal valued in Puranic ethics—discipline, training in śastra-astra, and the capacity to protect society—qualities expected in royal service and the defense of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the technical vocabulary here is martial (śastra/astra) rather than architectural or liturgical.