Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

प्रचलच्चामरे हेमघण्टासंघातमण्डिते ऐरावते चतुर्दन्ते मातङ्गे ऽचलसंस्थिते //

Transliteration

pracalaccāmare hemaghaṇṭāsaṃghātamaṇḍite airāvate caturdante mātaṅge 'calasaṃsthite //

Translation

Upon Airāvata—the four-tusked elephant—steadfast as a mountain, adorned with swaying yak-tail fans and clusters of golden bells.

Word by Word

• प्रचलत् (pracalat): swaying, moving to and fro

• चामरे (cāmare): yak-tail fans, chowries

• हेम (hema): golden

• घण्टा (ghaṇṭā): bells

• संघात (saṃghāta): clusters, assemblage

• मण्डिते (maṇḍite): adorned, decorated

• ऐरावते (airāvate): on Airāvata (Indra’s elephant)

• चतुर्दन्ते (caturdante): four-tusked

• मातङ्गे (mātaṅge): elephant

• अचलसंस्थिते (acala-saṃsthite): standing firm like a mountain, immovably stationed

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice, describing iconographic/royal imagery within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Airāvata

Tags

• Iconography
• Vahana
• Royal insignia
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple art

FAQs

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

Nothing directly: this verse is descriptive and iconographic, focusing on Airāvata’s adornments and steadfast presence rather than cosmic dissolution narratives.

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

It reflects royal and divine regalia—chāmara fans and bell-ornamentation—used in courtly and ceremonial contexts, reinforcing ideals of orderly kingship, auspicious display, and reverence in public ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides visual specifications useful for temple sculpture and ritual imagery: Airāvata should be shown four-tusked, mountain-steady, and decorated with chāmara motifs and golden bell-clusters—details aligned with Pratimā-lakṣaṇa (iconographic standards).