Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 162

Devanagari script

अहं नेमिः सुरो नैव कालनेमे विदस्व माम् भवता मोहितेनाजौ निहता भूरिविक्रमाः //

Transliteration

ahaṃ nemiḥ suro naiva kālaneme vidasva mām bhavatā mohitenājau nihatā bhūrivikramāḥ //

Translation

"ഹേ കാലനേമീ! എന്നെ അറിയുക, ഞാൻ നേമിയാണ്, ദേവനല്ല. യുദ്ധത്തിൽ വിഭ്രാന്തിയിലായ നീ വലിയ പരാക്രമികളായ പലരെയും വധിച്ചുകഴിഞ്ഞു."

Word by Word

• aham: I

• nemiḥ: (am) Nemi

• suraḥ: a god/deva

• na eva: not indeed / not at all

• kālaneme: O Kālanemi (vocative)

• vidasva: know, understand

• mām: me

• bhavatā: by you

• mohitena: deluded, bewildered

• ājau: in battle

• nihatāḥ: slain, killed

• bhūri-vikramāḥ: possessing great valor/heroic might (many mighty ones)

Speaker

• Nemi (self-identifying to Kālanemi in a battle narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Nemi
• Kālanemi

Tags

• Asura-Deva conflict
• Battle narrative
• Identity revelation
• Maya (delusion)
• Heroic valor

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a martial-identification statement within an asura–deva conflict narrative, emphasizing moha (delusion) as a cause of destructive outcomes in battle.

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

Indirectly, it warns that moha (bewilderment) leads to ruinous action; Matsya Purana’s ethical frame often treats clarity (viveka), restraint, and right counsel as essential for rulers and householders to avoid harmful deeds.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its focus is on identity, delusion, and the consequences of combat.