Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

विलम्बिताश्वो विशिरो भ्रमितश्च रणे रथः पपात मुनिशापेन सादित्यो ऽर्करथो यथा //

Transliteration

vilambitāśvo viśiro bhramitaśca raṇe rathaḥ papāta muniśāpena sādityo 'rkaratho yathā //

Translation

In the battle, the chariot—its horses slowed, its charioteer struck down, and reeling in confusion—fell, brought low by a sage’s curse, just as Āditya, the Sun who rides the sun-chariot, was once cast down.

Word by Word

• vilambita-aśvaḥ: whose horses were slowed/checked

• viśiraḥ: headless / with the head struck off (i.e., the charioteer slain)

• bhramitaḥ ca: and whirling/reeling in confusion

• raṇe: in battle

• rathaḥ: the chariot

• papāta: fell down

• muni-śāpena: by the curse of a sage

• sāditaḥ: brought low, cast down, disabled

• ādityaḥ: the Sun (Sun-god)

• arka-rathaḥ: he whose chariot is the Sun / the sun-chariot

• yathā: just as

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting events to the assembled sages

Entities Mentioned

• Muni (sage)
• Aditya (Sun)
• Arka (Sun)
• Ratha (chariot)

Tags

• Curse
• Battle
• Royal Episode
• Puranic Simile
• Karma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights karmic causality in history—how a rishi’s curse can suddenly overturn power and fortune, even in the midst of battle.

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

It underscores a core Purāṇic ethic: rulers must honor sages and uphold dharma, because disrespect or wrongdoing that invites a curse can destroy military strength and royal stability instantly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the verse instead uses chariot imagery and a divine simile (Āditya’s fall) to stress the ritual-moral authority of ascetics and their speech.