Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 19

Devanagari script

निष्पेषणे तयोर्भीमम् अभूद्गगनगोचरम् निहत्याथ गदां दण्डस् ततो ग्रसनमूर्धनि //

Transliteration

niṣpeṣaṇe tayorbhīmam abhūdgaganagocaram nihatyātha gadāṃ daṇḍas tato grasanamūrdhani //

Translation

Habang ang dalawa’y nagdidiinan at nagsusugatan sa isa’t isa, sumiklab ang isang nakapanghihilakbot na dagundong na wari’y gumagala sa kalangitan. Pagkaraan, si Daṇḍa ay nagpabagsak sa gada (pamalo), at saka inihampas ang suntok sa ulo ni Grasanamūrdhan.

Word by Word

• निष्पेषणे: in the pounding/crushing fight

• तयोः: of the two

• भीमम्: terrifying, dreadful

• अभूत्: arose, came to be

• गगनगोचरम्: moving in/echoing through the sky (sky-ranging)

• निहत्य: having struck down, having felled

• अथ: then

• गदाम्: the mace

• दण्डः: (the warrior named) Daṇḍa

• ततः: thereafter

• ग्रसनमूर्धनि: on the head (mūrdhan) of Grasanamūrdhan (proper name)

Speaker

• Suta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Daṇḍa
• Grasanamūrdhan

Tags

• Dynasties
• Battle
• Itihasa
• Heroic episode
• Matsya Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it is a martial description emphasizing the intensity of a duel whose impact is portrayed as echoing up to the sky.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya ethic found across Purāṇic royal narratives: valor in combat, overcoming an opponent’s weapon, and decisive action in battle—qualities expected of rulers and protectors in dharma-based kingship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is purely on battlefield action and heroic imagery.