Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

पिङ्गोत्तुङ्गजटाजूटाः सिंहचर्मानुषङ्गिणः कपालीशादयो रुद्रा विद्रावितमहासुराः //

Transliteration

piṅgottuṅgajaṭājūṭāḥ siṃhacarmānuṣaṅgiṇaḥ kapālīśādayo rudrā vidrāvitamahāsurāḥ //

Translation

The Rudras—Kapālīśa and the others—bearing tawny, lofty matted locks (jaṭā) and wearing lion-skins, put the mighty Asuras to flight.

Word by Word

• पिङ्ग-उत्तुङ्ग-जटा-जूटाः: with tawny (piṅga), lofty (uttuṅga) masses of matted hair (jaṭā-jūṭa)

• सिंह-चर्म-अनुषङ्गिणः: clad in/attached with lion-skins

• कपालीश-आदयः: Kapālīśa and the others

• रुद्राः: the Rudras (forms/attendants of Rudra)

• विद्रावित: driven away, routed

• महा-असुराः: great Asuras (powerful demons)

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the Rudra-hosts within the Matsya Purana’s narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Rudras
• Kapālīśa
• Asuras
• Lion-skin (siṃhacarma)
• Jaṭā (matted locks)

Tags

• Shaiva iconography
• Rudra-gana
• Asura defeat
• Mythic warfare
• Pratima-lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a cosmic battle motif where Rudra’s forms/hosts subdue and rout Asuras, emphasizing restoration of order rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the dharmic ideal of protecting order: just as the Rudras drive away disruptive forces, a king is expected to restrain adharma and safeguard society; a householder supports this order through disciplined conduct and ritual allegiance to the gods.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse provides iconographic markers—jaṭā (matted locks) and siṃhacarma (lion-skin)—useful for pratima-lakṣaṇa (image-identification) in temple sculpture/painting and for recognizing Rudra-associated ascetic-terrific forms in ritual visualization.