Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Maya’s Nectar-Reservoir in Tripura and the Revival of the Slain in the Tripur...

Devanagari script

अन्वास्यैव च रुद्रस्य भवामः प्रभविष्णवः तैर्वा विनिहता युद्धे भविष्यामो यमाशनाः //

Transliteration

anvāsyaiva ca rudrasya bhavāmaḥ prabhaviṣṇavaḥ tairvā vinihatā yuddhe bhaviṣyāmo yamāśanāḥ //

Translation

Attending upon Rudra alone, we shall become mighty and all-prevailing; or else, if we are struck down by them in battle, we shall become food for Yama—that is, we shall meet death.

Word by Word

• अन्वास्य (anvāsya): by attending upon, by serving closely

• एव (eva): indeed, alone/emphatically

• च (ca): and

• रुद्रस्य (rudrasya): of Rudra (Śiva)

• भवामः (bhavāmaḥ): we become/we shall be

• प्रभविष्णवः (prabhaviṣṇavaḥ): powerful, capable of prevailing, dominant

• तैः (taiḥ): by them

• वा (vā): or

• विनिहता (vinihatāḥ): slain, struck down

• युद्धे (yuddhe): in battle

• भविष्यामः (bhaviṣyāmaḥ): we shall become

• यमाशनाः (yamāśanāḥ): Yama’s food, prey of death (those who die).

Speaker

• Likely the Devas (gods) speaking collectively within the battle narrative (embedded narration by Sūta to the sages).

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Yama

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Rudra
• Shaiva-Vaishnava Harmony
• Fate and Death
• Devotional Allegiance

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it uses Yama as a symbol of mortality, stressing that defeat in battle leads to death rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights a dharmic principle applicable to rulers and householders alike: take refuge in a rightful higher authority (here, Rudra) to gain strength and success; otherwise, reckless conflict without proper support leads to ruin.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule detail is stated explicitly; the ritual takeaway is the emphasis on upāsanā/attendance upon Rudra as a means to gain protective power.