Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult

Devanagari script

गर्जतां देवदैत्यानां शङ्खभेरीरवेण च तूर्याणां चैव निर्घोषैर् मातंगानां च बृंहितैः //

Transliteration

garjatāṃ devadaityānāṃ śaṅkhabherīraveṇa ca tūryāṇāṃ caiva nirghoṣair mātaṃgānāṃ ca bṛṃhitaiḥ //

Translation

As the gods and the daityas roared, the din swelled—resounding with conches and kettle-drums, with the blare of martial instruments, and with the trumpeting of elephants.

Word by Word

• garjatām: of those roaring

• deva: gods

• daityānām: of the daityas (demonic adversaries of the devas)

• śaṅkha: conch

• bherī: war-drum/kettle-drum

• raveṇa: with the sound

• ca: and

• tūryāṇām: of trumpets/musical instruments used in war

• caiva: and indeed

• nirghoṣaiḥ: with loud clamors/blasts

• mātaṅgānām: of elephants

• ca: and

• bṛṃhitaiḥ: with trumpeting/roaring sounds

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the battlefield scene (contextual narration within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Daityas
• Shankha (conch)
• Bheri (war drum)
• Tūrya (martial instruments)
• Mātaṅga (elephants)

Tags

• Deva–Daitya war
• Battle sounds
• Puranic warfare
• Ritual instruments
• Elephants

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on the auditory imagery of a divine battle—roars, conches, drums, and elephants—used to convey the scale and intensity of conflict.

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

Indirectly, it reflects classical markers of organized warfare (signals by conch and drum, coordinated troops and elephants). In dharma-oriented readings, such orderliness aligns with a king’s kṣātra duty to maintain disciplined forces and protect the realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the śaṅkha and bherī are auspicious sound-implements used for proclamation and ceremonial signaling; here they are applied to a martial setting rather than Vastu or temple construction.