Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

भूयो भूयः स विव्याध गणेश्वरमहत्तमान् भित्त्वा भित्त्वा रुरावोच्चैर् नभस्यम्बुधरो यथा //

Transliteration

bhūyo bhūyaḥ sa vivyādha gaṇeśvaramahattamān bhittvā bhittvā rurāvoccair nabhasyambudharo yathā //

Translation

Again and again he pierced the mightiest lords of the Gaṇas; striking and striking, he roared aloud—like a thundercloud rumbling in the sky.

Word by Word

• भूयः भूयः: again and again

• सः: he

• विव्याध: pierced, wounded (with weapons)

• गणेश्वर-महत्तमान्: the greatest among the Gaṇa-lords

• भित्त्वा भित्त्वा: having struck/pierced repeatedly

• रुराव: roared

• उच्चैः: loudly

• नभसि: in the sky

• अम्बुधरः: a rain-cloud, thundercloud

• यथा: as, like

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), recounting the battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṇeśvaras (lords of Śiva’s gaṇas)

Tags

• Battle
• Gaṇas
• Heroic
• Puranic warfare
• Sound imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it uses a cosmic image (a thundercloud in the sky) to intensify the sound and force of a battle scene.

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

Indirectly, it exemplifies valor and steadfastness under conflict—qualities later mapped in Purāṇic ethics to kṣatriya duty (protecting order and confronting hostile forces).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily martial and poetic, emphasizing repeated strikes and a thunder-like roar.