Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

परश्वधहतः शूरः शैलादिः शरभो यथा दुद्राव खड्गं निष्कृष्य तारकाख्यो गणेश्वरम् //

Transliteration

paraśvadhahataḥ śūraḥ śailādiḥ śarabho yathā dudrāva khaḍgaṃ niṣkṛṣya tārakākhyo gaṇeśvaram //

Translation

Struck by an axe, the hero Śailādi—like a śarabha—charged forward; drawing his sword, he rushed at the Gaṇa-lord named Tāraka.

Word by Word

• paraśvadha-hataḥ: struck by an axe

• śūraḥ: the hero/warrior

• śailādiḥ: Śailādi (proper name)

• śarabhaḥ: śarabha (a powerful beast, emblem of fierce speed/strength)

• yathā: like/as

• dudrāva: ran forward/charged

• khaḍgam: sword

• niṣkṛṣya: having drawn/unsheathed

• tāraka-ākhyaḥ: named Tāraka

• gaṇa-īśvaram: the lord of the gaṇas (chief of Śiva’s attendants).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the battle scene

Entities Mentioned

• Śailādi
• Tāraka
• Gaṇeśvara (lord of the gaṇas)
• Śarabha

Tags

• Battle
• Gaṇas
• Daitya conflict
• Puranic warfare
• Mythic simile

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is a martial description within a conflict narrative, emphasizing speed, ferocity, and the escalation of battle.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra ideal of courage and readiness in righteous conflict—swift response, disciplined weapon use, and confronting a powerful opponent—values often mapped onto royal duty in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu or ritual procedure is specified here; the key takeaway is the Purāṇic use of zoological similes (śarabha) to convey heroic intensity in narrative sections.