Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

तारकाख्यस्तु भीमाक्षो रौद्ररक्तान्तरेक्षणः रुद्रान्तिके सुसंरुद्धो नन्दिना कुलनन्दिना //

Transliteration

tārakākhyastu bhīmākṣo raudraraktāntarekṣaṇaḥ rudrāntike susaṃruddho nandinā kulanandinā //

Translation

Then the one named Tāraka—terrible-eyed, with fierce eyes reddened like blood—was tightly hemmed in near Rudra by Nandin, the joy of his lineage.

Word by Word

• तारकाख्यः: named Tāraka

• तु: then/indeed

• भीमाक्षः: terrible-eyed

• रौद्र: fierce, wrathful

• रक्त: blood-red

• अन्तरेक्षणः: having eyes (with) the inner/within part (so, bloodshot/reddened)

• रुद्रान्तिके: near Rudra

• सुसंरुद्धः: well-confined, tightly surrounded

• नन्दिना: by Nandin

• कुलनन्दिना: (who is) the delight of (his) lineage / noble-lineage’s joy

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle episode within the Matsya Purana’s narration

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Rudra (Śiva)
• Nandin (Nandikeśvara)

Tags

• Deva-Asura war
• Shaiva lore
• Battle narrative
• Mythic genealogy
• Puranic episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it depicts a martial episode where Tāraka is restrained near Rudra by Nandin, emphasizing divine order maintained through Rudra’s attendants.

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

Indirectly, it models the dharmic principle of restraining disruptive forces: just as Nandin checks Tāraka’s aggression, a king is expected to protect society by containing violence and safeguarding sacred order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the main takeaway is iconographic and devotional—Nandin’s proximity to Rudra reflects his role as Śiva’s chief attendant, a common Shaiva temple motif.