Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

निर्धावन्तस्तु ते दैत्याः प्रमथाधिपयूथपैः निरुद्धा गजराजानो यथा केसरियूथपैः //

Transliteration

nirdhāvantastu te daityāḥ pramathādhipayūthapaiḥ niruddhā gajarājāno yathā kesariyūthapaiḥ //

Translation

But those Daityas, rushing forward, were checked and held back by the troop-leaders of the Pramathas—just as lordly elephants are restrained by bands of lions.

Word by Word

• निर्धावन्तः (nirdhāvantaḥ): rushing forth, charging

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• ते (te): those

• दैत्याः (daityāḥ): Daityas, demons (sons of Diti)

• प्रमथाधिप (pramathādhipa): leaders of the Pramathas (Shiva’s fierce attendants)

• यूथपैः (yūthapaiḥ): by troop-leaders, chiefs of bands

• निरुद्धाः (niruddhāḥ): blocked, restrained, checked

• गजराजानः (gajarājānaḥ): kings of elephants, mighty elephants

• यथा (yathā): just as

• केसरि (kesari): lion

• यूथपैः (yūthapaiḥ): by troops/bands (here: bands of lions).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Pramathas
• Pramathādhipas

Tags

• Battle
• Daityas
• Shiva-Ganas
• Puranic Simile
• Mythic Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a battlefield image showing how a charging force (the Daityas) is halted by a disciplined counterforce (the Pramatha chiefs).

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

By analogy, it highlights strategic restraint and organized leadership: uncontrolled aggression is checked by coordinated commanders—an implicit lesson for kings on maintaining order through trained, loyal forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is purely martial and metaphorical, using the elephant–lion comparison to convey overpowering resistance.