Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

तदेकादश रुद्रांस्तु चकाराग्रेसरान्हरिः व्यालभोगाङ्गसंनद्धा बलिनो नीलकंधराः //

Transliteration

tadekādaśa rudrāṃstu cakārāgresarānhariḥ vyālabhogāṅgasaṃnaddhā balino nīlakaṃdharāḥ //

Translation

Then Hari (Viṣṇu) brought forth the Eleven Rudras as foremost leaders—mighty ones, their bodies girded with serpent-coils, and dark-throated in hue.

Word by Word

• tad: then/thereupon

• ekādaśa: eleven

• rudrān: Rudras (forms of Rudra/Śiva)

• tu: indeed

• cakāra: made/created/manifested

• agresarān: foremost, leaders, those who go in front

• hariḥ: Hari (Viṣṇu)

• vyāla: serpent/dragon-like snake

• bhoga: coil/hood/serpentine fold

• aṅga: body/limbs

• saṁnaddhāḥ: bound, girded, armored, closely wrapped

• balinaḥ: powerful, strong

• nīlakaṇdharāḥ: blue-/dark-throated ones (epithet associated with Rudra/Śiva).

Speaker

• Suta (Purāṇic narrator) describing cosmic manifestation (as transmitted in the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Eleven Rudras

Tags

• Cosmology
• Rudras
• Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis
• Creation
• Iconography

FAQs

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

It presents a creation/emanation motif: Hari manifests the Eleven Rudras as leading powers, indicating ordered cosmic governance rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of appointing capable “leaders” (agresara)—a king should establish strong protectors and disciplined guardians, mirroring cosmic administration.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily iconographic: Rudras are characterized as nīlakaṇṭha and serpent-adorned, details that can guide ritual visualization and deity depiction in temple imagery.