Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

सुरतूर्यरवं श्रुत्वा दानवा भीमदर्शनाः निनेदुर्वादयन्तश्च नानावाद्यान्यनेकशः //

Transliteration

suratūryaravaṃ śrutvā dānavā bhīmadarśanāḥ ninedurvādayantaśca nānāvādyānyanekaśaḥ //

Translation

Hearing the thunderous blare of the gods’ trumpets, the Dānavas—terrifying in appearance—roared back, loudly striking and sounding many kinds of musical instruments in great number.

Word by Word

• sura: gods, devas

• tūrya-ravam: the sound/blare of trumpets (war/ceremonial instruments)

• śrutvā: having heard

• dānavāḥ: Dānavas (a class of asuras)

• bhīma-darśanāḥ: fearsome to behold

• nineduḥ: they roared/resounded

• vādayantaḥ ca: and while playing/causing to sound

• nānā-vādyāni: various musical instruments

• anekaśaḥ: in many ways/in great number

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice describing the scene; not direct speech)

Entities Mentioned

• Suras (Devas)
• Dānavas
• Tūrya (trumpets)
• Vādya (musical instruments)

Tags

• Battle-Imagery
• Auspicious-Sounds
• Devas-vs-Asuras
• Ritual-Music
• Puranic-Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it depicts a martial-ceremonial soundscape—divine trumpets answered by the Dānavas—typical of Purāṇic conflict scenes rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of public order and preparedness: kings maintain organized ceremonial and martial protocols (signals, drums, trumpets), while householders recognize such sounds as markers of communal rites or defensive mobilization.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights tūrya and other vādyas as formal instruments used in processions, consecrations, and public ceremonies—details often paired with Vastu/temple contexts where prescribed music accompanies worship and royal or temple festivals.