Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

ततो बृहन्ति चापानि भीमनादानि सर्वशः निकृष्य जघ्नुरन्योन्यम् इषुभिः प्राणभोजनैः //

Transliteration

tato bṛhanti cāpāni bhīmanādāni sarvaśaḥ nikṛṣya jaghnuranyonyam iṣubhiḥ prāṇabhojanaiḥ //

Translation

Then, drawing their great bows that thundered with dreadful sound on every side, they struck one another down with life-devouring arrows—deadly shafts that stole away the breath.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• bṛhanti: great, mighty

• cāpāni: bows

• bhīma-nādāni: making a terrible roar/sound

• sarvaśaḥ: on all sides, everywhere

• nikṛṣya: having drawn (the bowstring), pulling back

• jaghnuḥ: they struck, they slew

• anyonyam: one another

• iṣubhiḥ: with arrows

• prāṇa-bhojanaiḥ: life-devouring, taking away the vital breath

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) recounting events within the Matsya Purana’s battle narrative

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Battle
• Kshatriya
• Itihasa-style narration

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts battlefield action—warriors drawing roaring bows and striking each other with deadly arrows.

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

It aligns with Rajadharma indirectly by portraying the Kshatriya sphere of conflict; in the broader Purāṇic frame, kings are expected to protect order, sometimes through warfare, though ethical limits are taught elsewhere in Rajadharma sections.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is purely martial imagery focused on bows and arrows.