Matsarasura Conquers Both Bhumi and Pathala

Matsarasura, who was Indra’s son, brought up by Bhumi Devi, observed tapas to propitiate Lord Shiva and got a boon that he would become the ruler of the universe.

Upon being instigated by the asuras, he even abandoned his own mother, who was trying to prevent him from attacking Swarga, saying, 'You can’t be doing that to your father.'

After this, Matsarasura, along with the other daityas, went to Shukracharya, their guru.

Shukracharya asked them, 'What do you want? What have you come for?'

'We want your permission and blessings to coronate Matsarasura as our king. He has worked hard and got boons from Mahadeva.'

Shukracharya agreed.

The coronation of Matsarasura was a grand festival. All daityas, danavas, and rakshasas came to participate in this event.

Diti’s sons are daityas. Danu’s sons are danavas. Asura is a term commonly used for rivals of suras. Suras means devas. By devas, what is commonly meant are the sons of Aditi. Aditi and Kashyapa. They are the righteous ones whom we worship. They are the rightful custodians and inhabitants of Swarga Loka.

Daityas and danavas are their stepbrothers. Daityas, sons of Diti. Danavas, sons of Danu. They are also wives of Kashyapa. Danu had a hundred sons, such as Viprachitti. They are called danavas. They are asuras. Diti’s sons are daityas, such as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.

Rakshasas have nothing to do with Kashyapa. They were born out of the anger of Brahma at the time of creation. Ravana belongs to that clan. What they all had in common was enmity towards the sons of Aditi, the devas.

All three groups had gathered at the time of Matsarasura’s coronation. The main among the asuras who had come were Namuchi, Virochana, Shumbha, Nishumbha, Shambara, Viprachitti, Prahlada, Mahishasura, Andhakasura, and Ruru.

Rajyabhisheka was performed with Veda mantras. As I said, Vedas are common to all. Rishi Ushanaa was the chief priest. Ushana was a devotee of Lord Ganesha. Thus, Matsarasura became the king.

After some time, he called the asuras and said, 'It is time for me to become the emperor of the universe.'

The asuras became happy. They were fond of violence. They liked the spilling of blood.

Devas, by nature, are peaceful. They like peace, they like order. Asuras are not like that. They like violence. Devas only react. They seldom initiate war.

The asura sena was huge. Their roaring was like thunder. If you heard that, your sense of time would be lost.

The sena comprised what is called the chaturanga – elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers. They carried all kinds of weapons—some the regular weapons, some carried trees, huge stones, and some even carried mountains.

Their foreheads had turned red due to excitement—the excitement that they were going to spill blood. They were not marching like disciplined soldiers; they were jumping and running. They were skilled in archery, fist fighting, and fighting with clubs.

The dust raised by the asura sena rose up in the sky and masked the sun. The elephants walked in the front, each one as huge as a mountain. Merely seeing them, many soldiers of the kshatriya kings of earth passed away in fear. Many ran away.

Many of the kings surrendered. Many fought and attained veera swarga.

Sons of those who died in battle were appointed as kings by Matsarasura, and they were to pay tax to him, honoring his sarvadhipatya. The surrendered kings were also reappointed with the condition that they would remain loyal to Matsarasura and pay him taxes.

In some places, daityas were appointed as kings in place of kshatriyas. Thus, Matsarasura conquered the whole earth and turned towards Pathala.

As the asura sena approached Pathala, the nagarajas became ready to fight them—Vasuki, Takshaka, Kambala, and Ashwathara. Pathala is inhabited by nagas.

A fierce battle ensued. The kings of the nagas sent out poisonous flames from their mouths. A major part of the asura sena succumbed to it. But Shukracharya revived all of them, and they started to fight again.

Asuras shot garudāstra on the nagas. Thousands of garudas came out and started wiping out the nagas. Vasuki destroyed the garudāstra. Like this, the fight continued on and on.

Adishesha, when he heard that the asuras and nagas were fighting and suffering heavy casualties, called both sides for mediation.

He asked the asuras, 'Why did you come here and start fighting with the nagas?'

Virochana said, 'Our king Matsara wants to become the emperor of the universe. Unless the nagas accept his supremacy, we will fight, and both sides will be destroyed.'

Adi Shesha smiled and said, 'Okay, let it be. Let Matsara be the head of the universe. At least you people will survive.'

Adi Shesha convinced the nagas to start paying taxes to Matsarasura. Thus, Pathala also came under Matsarasura’s rule.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi