Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P..., Shloka 102

Devanagari script

तुरंगमातंगबलौघसंकुला सितातपत्रध्वजराजिशालिनी चमूश्च सा दुर्जयपत्त्रिसंतता विभाति नानायुधयोधदुस्तरा //

Transliteration

turaṃgamātaṃgabalaughasaṃkulā sitātapatradhvajarājiśālinī camūśca sā durjayapattrisaṃtatā vibhāti nānāyudhayodhadustarā //

Translation

Jenes Heer—gedrängt von Scharen der Reiterei und Elefanten, geschmückt mit Reihen weißer Schirme und Banner—erstrahlte als unbezwingbare Schlachtordnung, schwer zu überwinden, dicht erfüllt von Kriegern mit mancherlei Waffen.

Word by Word

• turaṅgama: horse/cavalry

• mātaṅga: elephant

• bala-ogha: flood/mass of troops

• saṅkulā: densely filled

• sita: white

• ātapatra: parasol

• dhvaja: banner/flag

• rāji: row/line

• śālinī: splendid/adorned with

• camūḥ: army

• sā: that

• durjaya: hard to conquer

• pattri-saṃtatā: extended battle-array/formation (lit. ‘spread of wings/feathers’, used for array)

• vibhāti: shines/appears

• nānā: various

• āyudha: weapons

• yodha: warriors

• dustarā: difficult to cross/overcome.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative description within the Matsya Purana’s royal/political episode)

Entities Mentioned

• cavalry (turaṅgama-bala)
• elephants (mātaṅga-bala)
• royal parasols (ātapatra)
• banners/flags (dhvaja)
• warriors (yodha)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Army
• Battle-formation
• Royal insignia
• Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a martial description emphasizing royal power through a vast, well-marked army formation.

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

It reflects Rajadharma: a king is expected to maintain organized forces (cavalry, elephants, weapon-bearers) and visible standards (parasols, banners) to protect the realm and deter enemies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the key significance is royal insignia (white parasols, banners) used ceremonially to signal sovereignty and order in public processions and war.