Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P..., Shloka 51

Devanagari script

मेषस्य द्वीपिभिर्भीमैः कुञ्जरैः कालनेमिनः पर्वताभैः समारूढो निमिर्मत्तैर्महागजैः //

Transliteration

meṣasya dvīpibhirbhīmaiḥ kuñjaraiḥ kālaneminaḥ parvatābhaiḥ samārūḍho nimirmattairmahāgajaiḥ //

Translation

Kālanemi rückte vor, auf kolossalen Elefanten reitend—schreckenerregend, an Kraft wie Tiger und an Masse wie Berge; während König Nimi von großen Elefanten getragen wurde, die im Musth rasend waren.

Word by Word

• meṣasya: of Meṣa (a proper name, likely a king/warrior)

• dvīpibhiḥ: with (those) tiger-like/with tigers (figuratively ‘tigerish’)

• bhīmaiḥ: dreadful, fearsome

• kuñjaraiḥ: with elephants

• kālaneminaḥ: of Kālanemi (proper name)

• parvatābhaiḥ: resembling mountains

• samārūḍhaḥ: mounted, having ascended

• nimiḥ: Nimi (proper name, king)

• mattaiḥ: intoxicated, in rut (musth)

• mahāgajaiḥ: with great elephants

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting dynastic/royal events (genealogical narrative style)

Entities Mentioned

• Nimi
• Kālanemi
• Meṣa

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal warfare
• Genealogy
• Epic imagery
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic/royal narrative, using martial imagery (mountain-like elephants, musth) to depict a conflict involving Nimi and Kālanemi.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣatriya sphere of kingship—royal power, military readiness, and the public role of rulers in conflict—rather than household duties; it portrays kings and warriors as leaders mounted on war-elephants.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily a narrative depiction of royal combat and procession with war-elephants.