Shloka 69

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

Devanagari script

संमर्द्यमानेषु गणेश्वरेषु संनर्दमानेषु सुरेतरेषु ततः सुराणां प्रवराभिरक्षितुं रिपोर्बलं संविविशुः सहायुधाः //

Transliteration

saṃmardyamāneṣu gaṇeśvareṣu saṃnardamāneṣu suretareṣu tataḥ surāṇāṃ pravarābhirakṣituṃ riporbalaṃ saṃviviśuḥ sahāyudhāḥ //

Translation

When the commanders of the hosts were being hard pressed, and the non-gods (asuras and their allies) roared aloud, then the foremost warriors of the devas—together with their weapons—entered the enemy’s army to protect the gods’ side.

Word by Word

• saṃmardyamāneṣu: while being crushed/pressed in close combat

• gaṇa-īśvareṣu: among the leaders/lords of the troops

• saṃnardamāneṣu: while roaring/shouting loudly

• sura-itareṣu: among the non-gods (asuras)

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• surāṇām: of the gods

• pravaraiḥ: by the foremost/excellent (warriors)

• rakṣitum: to protect

• ripoḥ: of the enemy

• balam: army/force

• saṃviviśuḥ: they entered/penetrated

• saha-āyudhāḥ: together with weapons/armed

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle episode (third-person narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Suras (Devas)
• Asuras (Suretaras)
• Gaṇeśvaras (troop-commanders)

Tags

• Deva-Asura War
• Protection of Dharma
• Epic Battle
• Puranic Warfare
• Matsya Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it depicts a battlefield moment where the devas’ foremost fighters enter the enemy host to safeguard their side.

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

By emphasizing protection (rakṣitum) amid crisis, it echoes the kṣatriya-ideal found across the Matsya Purana: leaders must act decisively to defend their people and uphold order when threatened.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is stated here; the technical focus is martial—troop leaders, roaring armies, and armed entry into the enemy formation.