Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult

Devanagari script

ह्वेषतां हयवृन्दानां रथनेमिस्वनेन च ज्याघोषेण च शूराणां तुमुलो ऽतिमहानभूत् //

Transliteration

hveṣatāṃ hayavṛndānāṃ rathanemisvanena ca jyāghoṣeṇa ca śūrāṇāṃ tumulo 'timahānabhūt //

Translation

From the neighing of the masses of horses, from the rumbling sound of chariot-wheels, and from the thunderous twang of warriors’ bowstrings, a vast and dreadful tumult arose.

Word by Word

• ह्वेषताम् (hveṣatām): of those neighing

• हयवृन्दानाम् (hayavṛndānām): of groups/multitudes of horses

• रथनेमिस्वनेन (rathanemi-svanena): by the sound of chariot-rims/wheels

• च (ca): and

• ज्याघोषेण (jyā-ghoṣeṇa): by the sound (ghoṣa) of the bowstring (jyā), i.e., the twang

• च (ca): and

• शूराणाम् (śūrāṇām): of heroes/warriors

• तुमुलः (tumulaḥ): tumult, uproar

• अतिमहान् (atimahān): exceedingly great

• अभूत् (abhūt): arose/occurred.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) describing the battlefield scene

Entities Mentioned

• warriors (śūrāḥ)
• horses (hayāḥ)
• chariots (rathāḥ)
• bows/bowstrings (jyā)

Tags

• Battle
• War-sounds
• Royal narrative
• Kshatriya dharma
• Epic-style description

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a vivid martial snapshot, emphasizing battlefield uproar rather than cosmic creation or pralaya themes.

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

It reflects the Kshatriya sphere of duty: organized warfare with chariots, cavalry, and archery—typical markers of royal power and the martial order expected in protection of the realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical focus is on battlefield acoustics—horse-neighing, chariot-wheel roar, and bowstring twang.