Shloka 56

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

अथ यमवरुणमृदङ्गघोषैः पणवडिण्डिमज्यास्वनप्रघोषैः सकरतलपुटैश्च सिंहनादैर् भवमभिपूज्य तदा सुरा अवतस्थुः //

Transliteration

atha yamavaruṇamṛdaṅgaghoṣaiḥ paṇavaḍiṇḍimajyāsvanapraghoṣaiḥ sakaratalapuṭaiśca siṃhanādair bhavamabhipūjya tadā surā avatasthuḥ //

Translation

Then, amid the booming of drums, the resounding clamour of paṇavas and ḍiṇḍimas, and the twang of stringed instruments—together with clapping of hands and lion-like cries of acclaim—the gods worshipped Bhava (Śiva); having thus honoured him, they stood assembled there.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• yama-varuṇa-mṛdaṅga-ghoṣaiḥ: with the drum-resonances (of various kinds, linked with Yama and Varuṇa traditions/quarters)

• paṇava: paṇava drum

• ḍiṇḍima: kettle-drum

• jyā-svana: sound of the bowstring/strings (twang of stringed instruments)

• praghoṣaiḥ: with loud resoundings

• sa-karatala-puṭaiḥ: with clapping of hands (cupped palms)

• ca: and

• siṃha-nādaiḥ: with lion-roars (loud acclamations)

• bhavam: Bhava, i.e., Śiva

• abhipūjya: having worshipped/honoured

• tadā: then

• surāḥ: the gods

• avatasthuḥ: stood, remained assembled/posted.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the scene (narrative voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhava (Shiva)
• Devas (Suras)
• Yama
• Varuna
• Mridanga
• Panava
• Dindima

Tags

• Deva-stuti
• Shiva
• Ritual
• Auspicious sounds
• Temple worship

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it depicts a ceremonial moment where the gods honour Bhava (Śiva) through auspicious sound—showing the Purāṇic emphasis on ritual order rather than cosmic dissolution here.

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

It models proper public reverence: honouring the deity with disciplined celebration (music, acclamation, and respectful assembly). For kings and householders, it implies that worship should be performed with communal participation, decorum, and prescribed auspicious elements.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights sound (vādyas, clapping, proclamations) as an auspicious component of pūjā and temple festivals—suggesting that worship is not only offerings but also sanctioned sonic rites that mark divine honour and congregational gathering.