Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

शेषो गिरीशः सपितामहेशश् चोत्क्षुभ्यमाणः स रथे ऽम्बरस्थः बिभेद संधीषु बलाभिपन्नः कूजन्निनादांश्च करोति घोरान् //

Transliteration

śeṣo girīśaḥ sapitāmaheśaś cotkṣubhyamāṇaḥ sa rathe 'mbarasthaḥ bibheda saṃdhīṣu balābhipannaḥ kūjanninādāṃśca karoti ghorān //

Translation

Śeṣa—together with Girīśa (Śiva) and the Great Lord associated with the Pitāmaha (Brahmā)—rose into fierce agitation. Stationed in a chariot moving through the sky, and driven on by force, he smashed through the enemy ranks at their joints and openings, while uttering dreadful, roaring cries.

Word by Word

• śeṣaḥ: Śeṣa (Ananta)

• girīśaḥ: Lord of the mountain (Śiva)

• sa-pitāmaha-īśaḥ: with the Lord connected with the Pitāmaha (Brahmā)/with Brahmā’s lordly power

• ca: and

• utkṣubhyamāṇaḥ: becoming violently stirred/agitated

• saḥ: he

• rathe: in/on a chariot

• ambara-sthaḥ: stationed in the sky/sky-borne

• bibheda: split, broke, pierced

• saṃdhīṣu: at the joints, seams, gaps, strategic openings

• bala-abhipannaḥ: impelled/pressed on by force, strengthened by might

• kūjan: roaring, bellowing

• ninādān: loud sounds/cries

• ca: and

• karoti: makes, produces

• ghorān: terrible, fearsome.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle scene (narrative voice within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Śeṣa (Ananta)
• Girīśa (Śiva)
• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)

Tags

• Battle
• Divine warriors
• Chariot warfare
• Purāṇic cosmology
• Heroic imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching; it is a martial description emphasizing divine power—sky-borne chariots, forceful advance, and the breaking of enemy formations.

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

Indirectly, it reflects a kṣatriya ideal valued in Purāṇic ethics—courage, disciplined force, and strategic action (striking at ‘sandhi’, vulnerable openings). It is illustrative rather than a direct rule for household or royal conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated. The technical term saṃdhi (“joint/opening”) is used in a tactical sense (weak points in an enemy formation), not in architectural joinery.