Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

अथ विद्रवमाणं तद् बलं प्रेक्ष्य समन्ततः रुद्राः परस्परं प्रोचुर् अहंकारोत्थितार्चिषः //

Transliteration

atha vidravamāṇaṃ tad balaṃ prekṣya samantataḥ rudrāḥ parasparaṃ procur ahaṃkārotthitārciṣaḥ //

Translation

Then, seeing that army fleeing in every direction, the Rudras—ablaze with flames born of pride—said to one another:

Word by Word

• atha: then

• vidravamāṇam: fleeing, running away in panic

• tat balam: that army/force

• prekṣya: having seen

• samantataḥ: on all sides, in every direction

• rudrāḥ: the Rudras (wrathful forms/attendants of Rudra)

• parasparam: to one another, mutually

• procuḥ: they spoke/they said

• ahaṃkāra-utthita: arisen from ego/pride

• arciṣaḥ: flames, fiery radiance (those who blaze).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration; the Rudras are about to speak)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudras
• bala (army/host)

Tags

• Rudras
• Battle
• Puranic warfare
• Divine wrath
• Ahaṃkāra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it depicts a battlefield moment where a host is routed, highlighting the overwhelming force and fiery temperament of the Rudras rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it warns against ahaṃkāra (pride) as a driving fire behind action—an ethical cue in Purāṇic literature that rulers and householders should restrain ego to avoid destructive, uncontrolled conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple-building rule, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is narrative—describing the Rudras’ fiery, pride-born radiance as they prepare to speak.