Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Skanda’s Consecration

Devanagari script

तद्वत्तुरगसंघातक्षुण्णभूरेणुपिञ्जराम् चञ्चलस्यन्दनोदग्रध्वजराजिविराजिताम् //

Transliteration

tadvatturagasaṃghātakṣuṇṇabhūreṇupiñjarām cañcalasyandanodagradhvajarājivirājitām //

Translation

Likewise, it (the host/force) was tawny with the earth-dust pulverized by the mass of horses, and it shone with the wavering chariots and the lofty rows of banners rising above them.

Word by Word

• tadvat: likewise/in the same manner

• turaga-saṃghāta: mass/compact multitude of horses (cavalry)

• kṣuṇṇa: crushed/pounded

• bhū-reṇu: dust of the earth

• piñjarā: tawny/reddish-yellow (dust-colored)

• cañcala: unsteady/wavering/moving

• syandana: chariot

• udagra: high/lofty/uplifted

• dhvaja-rāji: rows/lines of flags and banners

• virājitā: resplendent/shining/brightly adorned

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (continuing a descriptive passage within the Matsya Purana’s royal-historical narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Turaga (horses)
• Syandana (chariots)
• Dhvaja (banners)

Tags

• Matsya Purana battle imagery
• Royal army description
• Chariots and cavalry
• Epic-style narration
• Dhvajapataka

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a vivid, terrestrial description of an advancing royal force—dust raised by cavalry and the splendor of chariots and banners.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the king’s kṣātra duty (royal responsibility) of protecting the realm through organized military strength—cavalry, chariots, and standards—presented in a classical Purāṇic-epic register.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught here; the key technical note is the martial insignia (dhvaja-rāji), highlighting standards/banners as markers of order, identity, and royal display.