Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 109

Devanagari script

कुजम्भेनाथ संसक्तो रजनीचरनन्दनः मायाममोघामाश्रित्य तामसीं राक्षसेश्वरः //

Transliteration

kujambhenātha saṃsakto rajanīcaranandanaḥ māyāmamoghāmāśritya tāmasīṃ rākṣaseśvaraḥ //

Translation

குஜம்பனுடன் கூட்டிணைப்பில் கட்டுப்பட்ட இரவுலாவிகளின் புதல்வன்—ராக்ஷசர்களின் ஈசன்—தவறாத தாமஸ மாயையைச் சார்ந்தான்.

Word by Word

• कुजम्भेन (kujambhena): with Kujambha

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• संसक्तः (saṃsaktaḥ): closely joined, allied, attached

• रजनीचर-नन्दनः (rajanīcara-nandanaḥ): offspring of the night-roamers (Rākṣasas)

• माया (māyā): illusion, magical artifice

• अमोघाम् (amoghām): unfailing, unerring

• आश्रित्य (āśritya): having resorted to, taking refuge in/using

• तामसीम् (tāmasīm): dark, tamasic, producing delusion

• राक्षस-ईश्वरः (rākṣaseśvaraḥ): the lord of the Rākṣasas (Rakshasa king).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator (contextual attribution for the Matsya Purana’s continuous narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Kujambha
• Rākṣaseśvara (Rakshasa lord)

Tags

• Maya
• Rakshasa
• Tamas
• Mythic warfare
• Purāṇic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights tamas-driven māyā (delusive power) used in conflict, a theme that contrasts with cosmic order rather than depicting dissolution itself.

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

By portraying “tāmasī māyā” as a weapon of deception, it implicitly supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical preference for sāttvic conduct—warning rulers and householders against governance or livelihood based on delusion, trickery, and harmful manipulation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its technical focus is on māyā (illusion) and the guṇa-term “tāmasī,” useful for interpreting ritual and iconographic passages where purity and guṇas are contrasted.