Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana

by Chaitali Kadia | 2021 | 91,183 words

This page relates ‘War and Weapons in the Matsya Purana’ of the study on the historical elements of the Matsya-purana: one of the eighteen Mahapuranas which are Sanskrit texts that have preserved the cultural heritage, philosophy, religion, geography, etc of ancient India. This Matsyapurana was originally written in 20,000 verses and deals with topics such as architecture, ancient history, polity, religion and philosophy.

War and Weapons in the Matsya Purāṇa

< Previous

Next >

The Matsya Purāṇa discusses the causes of war. Bṛhaspati and Candra had a conflict with the Tārā. Because the Candra had kidnapped Tārā. After many explanations of Bṛhaspati and other gods, even when the Candra did not return the Tārā, there was a war with the Candra (P–23/29). Devāsura’s war was for expansion of domination. The demons wanted to be richer than the gods and rule over them, sothe gods struggled (MP-47/41). However, sometimes it is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that the kingdom is conquered by fighting in accordance with the Kṣātravidhi .^[1] As Kārtavirya Arjuna conquered the whole world by following the Kṣātravidhi.^[2] It is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that difference persons, Rathi and Mahārathi also acquired titles. Such as Kārtavirya Arjuna (MP-43/25), Śiva (MP-47/155) etc.

In Hindu military science, apart from morality, restraint has also been valued and as a result, a beautiful combination of the two codes of conduct has taken place. The principle of war has also been mentioned in several episodes of Matsya Purāṇa –The gods refrained from fighting because the demons gave up their weapons.^[3] The principle of war is that if the opposition gives up arms or surrenders, they can no longer be fought. When Agni attacked during the destruction of Tripura, he killed the wives there and did not treat them politely. Agni destroyed beautiful gardens, temples, house and also burned wives and children. Then Agni is reprimanded by a demon’s wife because Agni had thus cruelly violated the principle of war.^[4] The general rule of war is that warriors must fight opponents of their equal ability. But in the battle of Devāsura, Dev and Asura broke that rule and stared fighting with the infantry, the warriors of the chariot, the cavalry and the elephants. Ambassadors were sent to the opposition before the actual war began. Before the battle, Indra sent a messenger to Tārakā saying that Indra was the ruler of the heavens. In fact, it inspired the Tārakā to fight (M.P.-159/23).

The Matsya Purāṇa mentions the fourfold class of armies. This included a combination of chariots, elephants, cavalry and infantry. The Matsya Purāṇa , calls this combined force as ‘Caturanga ’ or ‘Caturangabala’.^[5] In the 148th chapter of the Matsya Purāṇa , it is said that Candra, Surya and Aśvinīkumars also joined with the Caturangi army in the fight against the Tārakā.^[6] King Dyumatsena regained his lost kingdom by the Caturanga army.^[7] This Caturangi army should be deployed in autumn and spring (MP–240/21).

The Matsya Purāṇaa also mentions about various weapons use in war.

Bows, Arrows and Quiver:

This weapon is frequently mentioned in the Matsya Purāṇa . Yamarāja became angry and threw a fire–like arrows on the Grasana (MP-150/11). Jambha, on the other hand, started throwing arrows to block Kuber’s path.^[8] The bow is also mentioned as a weapon of Lord Śankara, which is called ‘Pinaka ’.^[9] There are also examples of Tripura being ignited by three arched arrows in the coop of Śankara.^[10] There are also descriptions of arrow bows in many places. For example, Pṛthu was born with an arrow and a bow^[11], Yadu’s son was called the great archer ‘Maheśvasā’^[12], Kārtavirya arjuna was called ‘Śarāsani’ for his heroism in archery^[13], Rukmakavaca defeated many archers and win the world.^[14] Chapter 149 also mentions a number of weapons such as–Bhālā, Vajra, Gadā (Mace), Kuthāra (axe), arched arrow and Ardhacandra Bhālā (MP–149/7, 8, 9).

Fire-Arm:

There are many references to fire arms in the Matsya Purāṇa . In the war of Devāsura, for example Jambha used a weapon called ‘Ayogudana ’.^[15] Lots of weapons were stored in the king’s fort. He had a weapon called ‘Gudā ’ in it.^[16] In the war of Devāsura , Jambha also uses a firearm called ‘Kunpāna ’.^[17] During the battle between Hiranyakasipur and Narasiṃha, Hiranyakasipu beat Narasiṃha with another firearm called ‘Śataghni ’.^[18] At the beginning of Devāsura ’s war, there was talk of using a firearm called ‘Nālika ’ in the war.^[19] All of the above weapon belong to firearms.

Javelin:

This is one of the weapons in the war of Devāsura .^[20] A weapon called ‘Śakti ’ was used in the war of Devāsura (MP-150/79) which was made of gold bells or made of gold metal (MP-160/22). It was extremely terribly sharp and the nozzle was attached to the fire (MP-150/7, 9, 232; 151/22; 153/208). There is also a reference to such a weapon called ‘Tomar ’ in the war of Devāsura (MP-140/14, 149/8, 173/12) which was very bright and sharp (MP-177/13, 148/93). This weapon was also kept in the king’s fort (MP-217/29).

Many such weapons were also used in the war of Devāsura such as Prāsa (MP-149/7; 150/1, 10, 73, 231; 151/7), Bhindipāla (MP-149/7, 150/10, 153/32), Kunta (MP-153/33), Śanku (MP-149/8), Śula (MP-135/37; 140/6, 14, 19; 149/8) and Triśula (MP-138/31). Triśula was also collected in the fort of the king (MP-217/31).

Club:

The Gadā (mace) is one of these weapons which is significant weapon used in the war of Devāsura (MP-140/14, 39). It has also been called only as ‘Astra ’ (MP-135/70). Gada’s account states that it was jeweled, heavy, divine, radiant made of iron and adorned with gold (MP-150/69-71, 177/28, 160/19). Muśal is another similar weapon used in the battle of Devāsurā (MP-140/6, 14; 137/34; 148/89, 92). It is also said in its description that it is heavy and bright (MP-140/6, 177/10). Danda is another weapon used in the battle of Devāsura (MP-140/6; 150/16, 19, 41; 162/32).

Battle-axe, Hatchet:

‘Paraśū ’ (MP-150/67, 153/31), and ‘Paraśvadhā ’ which is very sharp and divine (MP-136/39, 138/14, 31, 138/45, 140/6, 138/44, 150/159) and ‘Kuthāra ’ (MP-153/133) such weapon was one of the weapons used in the battle of Devāsura. The ‘Kuthāra ’ also collected in the King’s fort (MP-217/31).

Cakra:

This weapon is basically the weapon of Lord Viṣṇu. Therefore, the incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu also have the pattern of holding this weapon. This Cakra was used in the battle of Devāsura (MP-149/8; 150/73, 203; 152/2). It has been said that Viṣṇu’s Cakra is also known as ‘Sudarsana ’ which is equal to a thousand sun in darkness and as strong as Vajra (MP-151/34). Cakravartin’s Cakra is one of the gems (MP-142/63). Kārtavirya Arjuna was called Cakrin (MP-43/25).

Sword:

Usually swords were the main weapon in war. So this sword was also used in the battle of Devāsura (MP-136/39; 138/14, 45; 148/85). It was sharp (MP-148/85, 150/159) and as bright as the moon (MP-136/35). It was kept in a scabbard and pulled out during the war (MP-153/209). It was also collected and kept in the king’s fort (MP-217/30). Kārtaviryārjuna was called as Khargin (MP-43/25). Kṛṣṇa also held this sword to kill the Jambabān demon (MP-45/12).

Shield or Kavaca:

It was a fortress used for self-defense (MP-159/182). It is also collected in the fort (MP-217/30).

In spite of this there are mention about more weapon in the Matsya-Purāṇa. Such as–

Ankuśa (MP-138/39, 149/8, 153/203),
Bhūśuṇḍi (MP-150/73, 106; 152/28, 153, 195),
Dātra (MP-217/33),
Guda (MP-217/30),
Huḍa (MP-217/30),
Kuddāla (MP-217/33), Lāguda (MP-217/30),
Mudgara (MP-138/14, 149/8, 150/124, 151/7, 150/6, 64, 198),
Pāśa (MP-135/77, 150/93, 146/47, 150/128, 162/33),
Parigha (MP-135/49; 136/39, 42),
Rajju (MP-217/33) and
Yantra (MP-179/60, 177/12) etc.