Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

आहत्य भेरीं गम्भीरां दैत्यानाहूय सत्वरः तुरगाणां सहस्रेण चक्राष्टकविभूषितम् //

Transliteration

āhatya bherīṃ gambhīrāṃ daityānāhūya satvaraḥ turagāṇāṃ sahasreṇa cakrāṣṭakavibhūṣitam //

Translation

Having sounded the deep, resonant war-drum, he swiftly summoned the Daityas, and set forth with an eight-wheeled chariot, accompanied by a thousand horses.

Word by Word

• आहत्य: having struck/sounded

• भेरीम्: the war-drum (kettledrum)

• गम्भीराम्: deep, sonorous

• दैत्यान्: the Daityas (a class of Asuras)

• आहूय: having summoned/called

• सत्वरः: quickly, without delay

• तुरगाणाम्: of horses/steeds

• सहस्रेण: with a thousand

• चक्राष्टक-विभूषितम्: adorned/equipped with eight wheels (i.e., an eight-wheeled chariot/vehicle).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator), describing the action within the episode

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Bherī (war-drum)
• Cakrāṣṭaka (eight-wheeled chariot)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Military muster
• Chariot iconography
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts wartime mobilization—sounding the bherī (war-drum), summoning forces, and moving with a chariot and cavalry.

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

It reflects a kingly duty in Rajadharma: prompt organization of allies and military resources, signaling readiness through formal summons and martial instruments like the bherī.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key technical detail is martial/vehicular: the cakrāṣṭaka (eight-wheeled) chariot, a descriptive marker used in Purāṇic iconography and warfare narration rather than Vāstu rules.