Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

आयान्तीम् अवलोक्याथ सुरसेनां गजासुरः गजरूपी महाम्भोदसंघातो भाति भैरवः //

Transliteration

āyāntīm avalokyātha surasenāṃ gajāsuraḥ gajarūpī mahāmbhodasaṃghāto bhāti bhairavaḥ //

Translation

Then, seeing the army of the gods advancing, Gajāsura—having assumed the form of an elephant—appeared terrifying, like a dense mass of towering storm-clouds.

Word by Word

• आयान्तीम् (āyāntīm): advancing, approaching (fem. acc.)

• अवलोक्य (avalokya): having looked at, seeing

• अथ (atha): then

• सुरसेनाम् (surasenām): the army of the gods

• गजासुरः (gajāsuraḥ): the asura named Gajāsura

• गजरूपी (gajarūpī): in elephant-form, taking the form of an elephant

• महा-अम्भोद-संघातः (mahāmbhoda-saṃghātaḥ): a great mass/cluster of rain-clouds

• भाति (bhāti): shines forth, appears

• भैरवः (bhairavaḥ): terrifying, dreadful in aspect

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the scene

Entities Mentioned

• Gajāsura
• Surasena (army of the gods)

Tags

• Deva-Asura battle
• Asura
• Epic imagery
• Mythic warfare
• Puranic simile

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses storm-cloud imagery to convey overwhelming, ominous power—an aesthetic common in Purāṇic narration rather than a cosmological dissolution account.

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

Indirectly, it models a Purāṇic ethical lens on conflict: formidable opponents may appear invincible, yet dharma-aligned forces must proceed with steadiness—an implied lesson for rulers facing threats.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily a battlefield description highlighting form-assumption (rūpa) and fearsome appearance through a cloud-mass simile.