Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas

Devanagari script

स राजराजः शुशुभे युद्धार्थी नरवाहनः उक्षाणमास्थितः संख्ये साक्षादिव शिवः स्वयम् //

Transliteration

sa rājarājaḥ śuśubhe yuddhārthī naravāhanaḥ ukṣāṇamāsthitaḥ saṃkhye sākṣādiva śivaḥ svayam //

Translation

That emperor among kings shone forth, eager for battle; mounted on a bull in the thick of combat, he appeared as if he were Śiva himself made manifest.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he

• rājarājaḥ: king of kings, supreme monarch

• śuśubhe: shone, appeared splendid

• yuddha-arthī: intent on battle, desiring war

• naravāhanaḥ: having men as his mount/vehicle (a warrior attended/carried by men, or riding in a man-borne conveyance)

• ukṣāṇam: a bull

• āsthitaḥ: having mounted, seated upon

• saṃkhye: in battle, in the fray

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly

• iva: as if

• śivaḥ: Lord Śiva

• svayam: himself

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the scene within the royal narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Rājarāja (the emperor)
• Śiva
• Ukṣa (bull as emblem/vehicle)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal warfare
• Iconography
• Shaiva imagery
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is a heroic royal description, using Śiva-imagery to magnify the king’s martial splendor.

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

It reflects the kṣatriya ideal: the king is portrayed as battle-ready and radiant in the arena, implying the royal duty of protection and decisive action against threats.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated, but the bull-mount and ‘like Śiva’ comparison echoes iconographic conventions (Śiva associated with the bull/Nandin motif), useful for interpreting Purāṇic imagery.