Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

कपाली वाक्यमाकर्ण्य शूलं शितशिखामुखम् संमार्ज्य वामहस्तेन संरम्भविवृतेक्षणः //

Transliteration

kapālī vākyamākarṇya śūlaṃ śitaśikhāmukham saṃmārjya vāmahastena saṃrambhavivṛtekṣaṇaḥ //

Translation

Hearing those words, Kapālī—his eyes widened in fury—wiped and readied his trident, whose point and edge were razor-sharp, using his left hand.

Word by Word

• कपाली (kapālī): Kapālī, the skull-bearing one (an epithet of Śiva)

• वाक्यम् (vākyam): the words/speech

• आकर्ण्य (ākarṇya): having heard

• शूलम् (śūlam): trident

• शित-शिखा-मुखम् (śita-śikhā-mukham): having a sharp point and keen tip (razor-edged)

• संमार्ज्य (saṃmārjya): wiping, polishing, cleaning (as in preparing/readying)

• वाम-हस्तेन (vāma-hastena): with the left hand

• संरम्भ (saṃrambha): rage, violent agitation

• विवृत-ईक्षणः (vivṛta-īkṣaṇaḥ): with eyes opened wide (glare of anger)

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration; likely Sūta’s narrative voice describing events)

Entities Mentioned

• Kapālī
• Śūla (Trident)

Tags

• Shaiva
• Iconography
• Weapons
• MythicNarrative
• RitualAesthetics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it is a narrative moment emphasizing divine anger and the readiness of a weapon, not cosmological dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the idea that speech has consequences and that power (symbolized by the trident) is to be ‘readied’ with deliberation—an ethical caution relevant to rulers about restraint before action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually and iconographically, ‘Kapālī’ and the ‘śūla’ point to Śaiva symbolism; the act of polishing/readying a sacred weapon parallels ritual purification and careful preparation of sacred implements.