Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

यथा वनं दर्पितकुञ्जराधिपा यथा नभः साम्बुधरं दिवाकरः यथा च सिंहैर्विजनेषु गोकुलं तथा बलं तत्त्रिदशैर् अभिद्रुतम् //

Transliteration

yathā vanaṃ darpitakuñjarādhipā yathā nabhaḥ sāmbudharaṃ divākaraḥ yathā ca siṃhairvijaneṣu gokulaṃ tathā balaṃ tattridaśair abhidrutam //

Translation

Just as a proud lord of elephants storms through a forest, just as the sun drives away a sky laden with clouds, and just as lions in a lonely wilderness scatter a cowherd settlement—so was that host’s strength assailed and put to flight by the gods.

Word by Word

• yathā: just as

• vanam: the forest

• darpita: proud, intoxicated (with musth/pride)

• kuñjara-adhipāḥ: lord(s) of elephants / elephant-king(s)

• nabhaḥ: the sky

• sa-ambudharam: bearing clouds, cloud-laden

• divākaraḥ: the sun

• ca: and

• siṃhaiḥ: by lions

• vijaneṣu: in lonely/deserted places

• gokulam: cowherd settlement / herd-station

• tathā: so, likewise

• balam: strength, army/force

• tat: that

• tridaśaiḥ: by the thirty (i.e., the gods)

• abhidrutam: attacked, rushed upon, driven in rout

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s account; presented in narrative voice describing a conflict

Entities Mentioned

• Tridaśa (the gods)
• Divākara (Sun)
• Siṃha (lions)
• Kuñjara (elephants)
• Gokula (cowherd settlement)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Battle-imagery
• Daiva
• Simile

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution; it uses natural similes (sun dispersing clouds, lions scattering a settlement) to depict overwhelming force—implying that when divine power moves, worldly strength collapses swiftly.

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

It warns against overconfidence in mere bala (military or material strength). Rajadharma emphasizes disciplined power guided by dharma; pride (darpa) invites reversal, and a ruler should rely on righteous conduct and wise counsel, not brute force alone.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught directly here; the verse is primarily poetic battlefield imagery. Indirectly, it reflects Purāṇic style—using nature-based comparisons to communicate moral and political instruction.