Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

तदा भवपदन्यासाद् धयस्य वृषभस्य च पेतुः स्तनाश्च दन्ताश्च पीडिताभ्यां त्रिशूलिना //

Transliteration

tadā bhavapadanyāsād dhayasya vṛṣabhasya ca petuḥ stanāśca dantāśca pīḍitābhyāṃ triśūlinā //

Translation

Then, from Bhava’s (Śiva’s) stamping of his foot, the horse and the bull were so crushed by the trident-bearer that their udders and their teeth fell out.

Word by Word

• tadā: then

• bhava: Bhava (Śiva)

• pada-nyāsāt: from the placing/stamping of the foot

• dhayasya: of the horse

• vṛṣabhasya: of the bull

• ca: and

• petuḥ: fell down/fell out

• stanāḥ: udders/breasts

• ca: and

• dantāḥ: teeth

• ca: and

• pīḍitābhyām: having been crushed/pressed (dual, referring to the two—horse and bull)

• triśūlinā: by the trident-bearer (Śiva).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the event within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework

Entities Mentioned

• Bhava (Shiva)
• Triśūlin (Shiva, trident-bearer)
• Horse (dhaya)
• Bull (vṛṣabha)

Tags

• Shaiva
• Mythology
• Divine Power
• Combat Imagery
• Puranic Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights Śiva’s overwhelming force in a mythic confrontation—his mere footstep and presence cause physical collapse in opposing forms.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces a Purāṇic ethic: power must be aligned with dharma—divine strength is portrayed as decisive and corrective, a model for rulers to act firmly against adharma while remaining duty-bound.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-building rule appears here; the key ritual-theological takeaway is the epithet Triśūlin and Bhava, supporting Śaiva liturgical remembrance of Śiva’s protective, subduing aspect.