Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Burning of Tripura and Rudra’s Victory

Devanagari script

युद्धाकाङ्क्षी तु बलवान् विद्युन्माल्यहमागतः यदि त्विदानीं मे जीवन् मुच्यसे नन्दिकेश्वर न विद्युन्मालिहननं वचोभिर्युधि दानव //

Transliteration

yuddhākāṅkṣī tu balavān vidyunmālyahamāgataḥ yadi tvidānīṃ me jīvan mucyase nandikeśvara na vidyunmālihananaṃ vacobhiryudhi dānava //

Translation

“I, Vidyunmālī, strong and eager for battle, have come. If you now escape from me alive, O Nandikeśvara, then—O Dānava—know that Vidyunmālī’s slaying will not be accomplished in war by words alone.”

Word by Word

• yuddha-ākāṅkṣī: desiring battle

• tu: indeed/but

• balavān: powerful, strong

• vidyunmālī: Vidyunmālī (a Dānava/Asura)

• aham: I

• āgataḥ: have come/arrived

• yadi: if

• tv: you

• idānīm: now

• me: from me/by me

• jīvan: alive, living

• mucyase: you are released/escape

• nandikeśvara: Nandikeśvara (Śiva’s attendant/bull-lord)

• na: not

• vidyunmāli-hananaṃ: the killing of Vidyunmālī

• vacobhiḥ: by words/speeches

• yudhi: in battle

• dānava: O Dānava (addressed as ‘demon’

Speaker

• Vidyunmālī (Dānava/Asura)

Entities Mentioned

• Vidyunmālī
• Nandikeśvara
• Dānava

Tags

• Deva–Asura battle
• Shaiva mythology
• War challenge
• Puranic dialogue
• Heroic rhetoric

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a martial taunt from Vidyunmālī in a Deva–Asura battle context, emphasizing action over mere speech in war.

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

Indirectly, it reflects a Purāṇic ethic of kṣātra conduct: decisive action and courage in conflict rather than empty boasting—an ideal often extended to rulers’ responsibility to protect and act effectively.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its focus is purely on battlefield challenge and rhetoric.