Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 176

Devanagari script

संक्षये दानवेन्द्राणां तस्मिन्महति वर्तिते प्रकोपोद्भूतताम्राक्षः कालनेमी रुषातुरः //

Transliteration

saṃkṣaye dānavendrāṇāṃ tasminmahati vartite prakopodbhūtatāmrākṣaḥ kālanemī ruṣāturaḥ //

Translation

தானவத் தலைவர்களின் அந்தப் பெரும் அழிவு நிகழ்ந்தபின், கோபத்தால் செம்புநிறக் கண்கள் எரியக் காலநேமி சினத்தால் துடித்தான்.

Word by Word

• saṃkṣaye: at the destruction/end

• dānava-indrāṇām: of the lords/chiefs of the Dānavas

• tasmin: in that (event/time)

• mahati: great

• vartite: having occurred/taken place

• prakopa-udbhūta: arisen from anger

• tāmra-akṣaḥ: copper/red-eyed

• kālanemī: Kālanemi (a Daitya/Dānava)

• ruṣā-āturaḥ: afflicted/overcome by fury

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing events (narrative voice within Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Kālanemi
• Dānavas

Tags

• Daitya-Danava
• Battle
• Wrath
• Genealogy
• Mythic narrative

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya; it depicts a localized “destruction” (saṃkṣaya) in a conflict context—specifically the downfall of Dānava leaders—triggering Kālanemi’s wrath.

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

Indirectly, it highlights anger as a destabilizing force: the Purāṇic ethic often contrasts righteous restraint with rage-driven retaliation, implying that rulers and householders should master krodha to prevent ruinous cycles of vengeance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-iconography, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is purely narrative, characterizing Kālanemi’s enraged response after a major defeat.