Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

इत्येवंवादिनं तत्र नन्दिनं तन्निभो बले बिभेदैकेषुणा दैत्यः करेणार्क इवाम्बुदम् //

Transliteration

ityevaṃvādinaṃ tatra nandinaṃ tannibho bale bibhedaikeṣuṇā daityaḥ kareṇārka ivāmbudam //

Translation

As Nandin was speaking thus there, the Daitya—matching him in strength—struck and pierced him with a single arrow, like the sun cleaving a cloud with its rays.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• evaṃ-vādinam: one who was speaking in this manner

• tatra: there

• nandinam: Nandin

• tat-nibhaḥ: comparable to him (in measure/quality)

• bale: in strength

• bibheda: pierced, split, wounded

• eka-ṣuṇā: with a single arrow

• daityaḥ: the demon (Daitya)

• kareṇa: with a ray/beam (lit. hand/elephant’s trunk

• arkaḥ: the sun

• iva: like

• ambudam: a cloud

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (epic-puranic narration describing the combat)

Entities Mentioned

• Nandin
• Daitya
• Arka (Sun)

Tags

• Battle
• Daitya
• Heroic narrative
• Simile (upamā)
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a battlefield description using a natural simile (sun and cloud) to convey the force and clarity of a single decisive strike.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of kṣātra-valor—decisive action and strength in conflict—often cited in royal ethics as the capacity to protect and prevail against hostile forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; the key takeaway is poetic martial imagery (upamā) rather than temple architecture or rites.