Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with the Daityas: Astra-Combat, Shloka 1

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच तं दृष्ट्वा दानवाः क्रुद्धाश्चेरुः स्वैः स्वैर्बलैर्वृताः / सरघा इव माक्षीकहरणे सर्वतोदिशम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca taṃ dṛṣṭvā dānavāḥ kruddhāśceruḥ svaiḥ svairbalairvṛtāḥ / saraghā iva mākṣīkaharaṇe sarvatodiśam //

Translation

சூதர் கூறினார்—அவனைப் பார்த்ததும் தானவர்கள் கோபமுற்று, தம் தம் படைகளால் சூழப்பட்டவர்களாய் எல்லாத் திசைகளிலும் பாய்ந்தனர்; தேன் பறிக்கப்படும்போது தேனீக்கள் கூட்டமாகச் சுழல்வதுபோல்।

Word by Word

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• tam dṛṣṭvā: having seen him

• dānavāḥ: the Dānavas (demonic clan)

• kruddhāḥ: enraged

• ceruḥ: moved about/charged forth

• svaiḥ svaiḥ balaiḥ: with their respective forces

• vṛtāḥ: surrounded/encircled

• saraghā iva: like a swarm (of bees)

• mākṣīka-haraṇe: when honey is being removed/taken away

• sarvataḥ diśam: in every direction

Speaker

• Sūta (Sūta Gosvāmin / Sūta Ugrāśravas)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Dānavas

Tags

• Battle
• Asuras
• EpicNarrative
• Dynasties
• PuranicStory

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is a battle-scene simile describing how the Dānavas surge in agitation after seeing a particular opponent.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic theme that uncontrolled anger and mob-like agitation lead to disorder; it contrasts with the ideal of disciplined leadership and restraint expected of rulers and responsible householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is purely narrative, using the honey-bee swarm image to intensify the depiction of hostile forces.