Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

व्रणैरजस्रं क्षतजं वमन्तः कोपोपरक्ता बहुधा नदन्तः गणेश्वरास्ते ऽसुरपुंगवाश्च युध्यन्ति शब्दं च महदुद्गिरन्तः //

Transliteration

vraṇairajasraṃ kṣatajaṃ vamantaḥ kopoparaktā bahudhā nadantaḥ gaṇeśvarāste 'surapuṃgavāśca yudhyanti śabdaṃ ca mahadudgirantaḥ //

Translation

Vomiting forth blood endlessly from their wounds, their eyes and faces reddened with rage, roaring in many ways, those captains of the hordes and the foremost of the Asuras fought on—uttering a tremendous din.

Word by Word

• व्रणैः: from wounds

• अजस्रम्: incessantly, without pause

• क्षतजम्: blood (lit. that which is born of injury)

• वमन्तः: vomiting, spewing forth

• कोप-उपरक्ताः: reddened/overcome with anger

• बहुधा: in many ways

• नदन्तः: roaring, bellowing

• गण-ईश्वराः: lords/leaders of troops (captains of hosts)

• ते: those

• असुर-पुंगवाः: foremost/bull-like among Asuras, Asura champions

• च: and

• युध्यन्ति: they fight

• शब्दम्: sound, noise

• च: and

• महत्: great, immense

• उद्गिरन्तः: uttering, emitting, raising

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial description within the Matsya Purana’s battle episode)

Entities Mentioned

• Asuras
• Gaṇeśvaras (troop-captains)

Tags

• Asura battle
• War imagery
• Puranic narrative
• Heroic combat
• Rage (kopa)

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a vivid battlefield depiction emphasizing rage, injury, and the thunderous noise of Asura leaders in combat.

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

Indirectly, it functions as a Purāṇic cautionary image: unchecked kopa (anger) and violent frenzy lead to destruction and suffering—an ethical contrast to the self-control and measured force expected of righteous rulers and disciplined householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is purely narrative—describing the ferocity and soundscape of battle among Asura commanders.