Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 55

Devanagari script

हृदि धैर्यं समालम्ब्य किंचित्संत्रस्तमानसः जग्राह निशितान्बाणाञ् छत्रुमर्मविभेदिनः //

Transliteration

hṛdi dhairyaṃ samālambya kiṃcitsaṃtrastamānasaḥ jagrāha niśitānbāṇāñ chatrumarmavibhedinaḥ //

Translation

ഹൃദയത്തിൽ ധൈര്യം ആശ്രയിച്ച്—മനം അല്പം വിറച്ചിരുന്നാലും—ശത്രുവിന്റെ മർമ്മങ്ങളെ ഭേദിക്കുന്ന മൂർച്ചയുള്ള അമ്പുകൾ അവൻ കൈക്കൊണ്ടു.

Word by Word

• हृदि: in (his) heart

• धैर्यम्: courage, firmness

• समालम्ब्य: having taken support of, steadying (himself) with

• किंचित्: somewhat, a little

• संत्रस्त-मानसः: with a frightened/agitated mind

• जग्राह: he took up, seized

• निशितान्: sharpened, keen

• बाणान्: arrows

• शत्रु-मर्म-विभेदिनः: those that split/pierce the enemy’s marmas (vital spots/joints).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing a warrior/king in the episode (third-person narrative)

Tags

• Matsya Purana battle narrative
• Kshatriya dharma
• Courage and resolve
• Warfare
• Marma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on a human moment of fear mastered by courage and expressed through decisive martial action.

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

It reflects Kshatriya/royal duty: even when inwardly shaken, a ruler or warrior must regain steadiness (dhairya) and act decisively to protect order and confront enemies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical term is “marma” (vital spot), indicating combat knowledge rather than temple-building or rites.