Shloka 163

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

Devanagari script

दंशिता लोकपालास्तु तस्थुः सगरुडध्वजाः ततश्चचाल वसुधा ततो रूक्षो मरुद्ववौ //

Transliteration

daṃśitā lokapālāstu tasthuḥ sagaruḍadhvajāḥ tataścacāla vasudhā tato rūkṣo marudvavau //

Translation

The guardians of the worlds stood ready, armed, bearing banners marked with Garuḍa. Then the earth began to tremble, and thereafter a harsh, dry wind blew.

Word by Word

• daṃśitāḥ: armed, equipped

• lokapālāḥ: the world-guardians (dikpālas)

• tu: indeed

• tasthuḥ: stood, took their stand

• sa-garuḍa-dhvajāḥ: with Garuḍa as their banner/standard (Garuḍa-emblem)

• tataḥ: then

• cacāla: shook, trembled

• vasudhā: the earth

• tataḥ: thereafter

• rūkṣaḥ: rough, harsh, dry

• marut: wind

• vavau: blew

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokapālas (Dikpālas)
• Garuḍa

Tags

• Pralaya
• Omens
• Cosmic disturbance
• Dikpalas
• Vishnu iconography

FAQs

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

It presents classic pralaya-portents: the mustering of cosmic guardians, an earthquake-like trembling of the earth, and the onset of harsh winds—signals that the world-order is being disturbed.

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

By implication it models vigilance and preparedness: just as the lokapālas stand armed when cosmic order is threatened, rulers and householders are urged in the Purana to maintain readiness—protecting dharma, securing people, and responding calmly to crisis and calamity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; however, the described tremors and harsh winds align with Purāṇic “inauspicious omens,” which later Vāstu/ritual traditions treat as conditions requiring pacificatory rites (śānti) before construction or major ceremonies.