Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Battle at Tripura: Shiva’s Strategy

Devanagari script

स्वर्णमालाधराः शूराः प्रभासितकराम्बराः केचिन् नदन्ति दनुजास् तोयमत्ता इवाम्बुदाः //

Transliteration

svarṇamālādharāḥ śūrāḥ prabhāsitakarāmbarāḥ kecin nadanti danujās toyamattā ivāmbudāḥ //

Translation

Some heroic Dānavas, wearing golden garlands and shining in their armlets and garments, roared aloud—like rain-laden clouds swollen with water.

Word by Word

स्वर्णमाला-धराःwearers of golden garlands

शूराःheroes, valiant warriors

प्रभासितgleaming, resplendent

कर-अम्बराःwith shining armlets and garments (lit. arm/hand and clothing)

केचिन्some

नदन्तिroar, bellow, thunder

दनुजाःsons of Danu, Dānavas (a class of Asuras)

तोय-मत्ताःintoxicated with water, heavy with rain

इवlike

अम्बुदाःclouds

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing the scene in the Matsya Purana’s battle narrative

Entities Mentioned

DānavasDanu

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses a rain-cloud simile to convey the thunderous power and swelling pride of the Dānavas in a battle setting.

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

Indirectly, it models Purāṇic ideals of martial vigor and battlefield morale; for kings (kṣatriya duty), it underscores the importance of courage and intimidating strength in warfare, though the verse itself is descriptive rather than prescriptive.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the focus is poetic iconography—gold garlands and shining ornaments—used to heighten the scene’s grandeur.