Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 193

Devanagari script

जघ्ने मर्मसु तीक्ष्णाग्रैर् असुरं भीमदर्शनम् ताभ्यां बाणप्रहारैः स किंचिदायस्तचेतनः //

Transliteration

jaghne marmasu tīkṣṇāgrair asuraṃ bhīmadarśanam tābhyāṃ bāṇaprahāraiḥ sa kiṃcidāyastacetanaḥ //

Translation

அவன் கூர்முனை அம்புகளால் பயங்கரத் தோற்றமுடைய அசுரனின் மర్మ இடங்களில் தாக்கினான்; அந்த இரு அம்புத் தாக்குதலால் அவன் சிறிது நேரம் பலவீனமடைந்து உணர்வு மங்கியது।

Word by Word

• jaghne: struck down/struck

• marmasu: in the vital spots (marmas)

• tīkṣṇāgraiḥ: with sharp-pointed (weapons/arrows)

• asuram: the asura/demon

• bhīma-darśanam: of terrifying appearance

• tābhyām: by those two

• bāṇa-prahāraiḥ: by the blows/impacts of arrows

• sa: he (the asura)

• kiṃcid: somewhat/a little

• āyasta: weakened/fatigued

• cetanaḥ: consciousness/senses

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the battle; likely Sūta relating events)

Entities Mentioned

• Asura

Tags

• Battle
• Heroic narrative
• Dharma-yuddha
• Marmas (vital points)
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on a battle scene, emphasizing tactical strikes at vital points (marmas) and the resulting loss of strength and clarity in the asura.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of confronting adharma with disciplined force—precise, purposeful action rather than uncontrolled violence—an ethic applicable to kingship (protecting order) and to householders (self-control in conflict).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the only technical term is "marma" (vital points), relevant to martial/medical notions rather than architecture.