Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 33

Devanagari script

कल्पान्तघोरसंकाशो बभूव क्रोधमूर्छितः कांश्चिद्बिभेद शूलेन कांश्चिद्बाणैरजिह्मगैः //

Transliteration

kalpāntaghorasaṃkāśo babhūva krodhamūrchitaḥ kāṃścidbibheda śūlena kāṃścidbāṇairajihmagaiḥ //

Translation

ดุจความน่าสะพรึงแห่งกัลปาวสาน เขาถูกความโกรธครอบงำจนมึนงง; บางพวกถูกแทงด้วยตรีศูล และบางพวกถูกสังหารด้วยศรที่พุ่งตรงไม่คลาดเป้า

Word by Word

• कल्पान्त (kalpānta): the end of a kalpa/aeon

• घोर (ghora): dreadful, terrifying

• संकाशः (saṃkāśaḥ): resembling, having the appearance of

• बभूव (babhūva): became

• क्रोध (krodha): anger, wrath

• मूर्छितः (mūrchitaḥ): overcome, infatuated, rendered senseless

• कांश्चित् (kāṃścit): some (among them)

• बिभेद (bibheda): split, pierced, broke

• शूलेन (śūlena): with a spear/trident-like weapon

• कांश्चित् (kāṃścit): others

• बाणैः (bāṇaiḥ): with arrows

• अजिह्मगैः (ajihmagaiḥ): going straight, not deviating (unerring)

Speaker

• Narrator (likely Matsya speaking to Vaivasvata Manu in the surrounding dialogue, with this verse describing a combatant’s action)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kalpanta
• Battle
• Divine Wrath
• Weapons

FAQs

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

It uses “kalpānta” imagery to convey apocalyptic intensity—wrath and combat are portrayed as resembling the terror of cosmic dissolution, emphasizing the Purāṇic scale of conflict at world-ending times.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the kṣātra (protective/warrior) ideal found across the Matsya Purana: force is depicted as purposeful and decisive (unerring arrows), echoing the expectation that rulers restrain chaos and uphold order when threatened.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its primary function is narrative—highlighting kalpānta-like ferocity and the precision of weaponry in a Purāṇic battle scene.