Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 49

Devanagari script

निर्जीवितं यमं दृष्ट्वा ततः संत्यज्य दानवः जयं प्राप्योद्धतं दैत्यो नादं मुक्त्वा महास्वनः //

Transliteration

nirjīvitaṃ yamaṃ dṛṣṭvā tataḥ saṃtyajya dānavaḥ jayaṃ prāpyoddhataṃ daityo nādaṃ muktvā mahāsvanaḥ //

Translation

യമൻ നിർജീവമായി കിടക്കുന്നതു കണ്ട ദാനവൻ അവിടെ നിന്ന് പിന്മാറി; വിജയം നേടിയ ആ അഹങ്കാരിയായ ദൈത്യൻ മഹാധ്വനിയോടെ ഭീകരഗർജനം മുഴക്കി.

Word by Word

• nirjīvitam: lifeless, without vital breath

• yamam: Yama (lord of death)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• tataḥ: then, thereafter

• saṃtyajya: abandoning, withdrawing from (the field/engagement)

• dānavaḥ: the Dānava (demon)

• jayam: victory

• prāpya: having attained

• uddhatam: haughty, intoxicated with pride

• daityaḥ: the Daitya (demon)

• nādam: roar, cry, battle-shout

• muktvā: releasing, uttering

• mahāsvanaḥ: of great sound, thunder-voiced

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battle episode (reported narration within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama
• Dānava
• Daitya

Tags

• Daitya
• Battle narrative
• Puranic warfare
• Victory and pride
• Mythic cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it belongs to a battle episode, highlighting cosmic order through conflict—Yama’s being struck down signals a dramatic disruption of dharmic guardianship rather than dissolution of the universe.

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

Indirectly, it warns against uddhata (arrogant intoxication after success). In Matsya Purana ethics, victory should be governed by restraint and dharma; prideful triumph is portrayed as a mark of asuric disposition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its focus is narrative—battle outcome and the daitya’s triumphant roar.