Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

जघान कुम्भदेशे तु कपाली गजदानवम् ततो दशापि ते रुद्रा निर्मलायोमयै रणे //

Transliteration

jaghāna kumbhadeśe tu kapālī gajadānavam tato daśāpi te rudrā nirmalāyomayai raṇe //

Translation

Then Kapālī struck down the elephant‑demon (Gaja-dānava) at the region of the temples (kumbha-deśa). Thereupon, in that battle, all ten of those Rudras became purified—filled with stainless radiance.

Word by Word

• jaghāna: slew/struck down

• kumbha-deśe: in the kumbha-region/at the place of the temples (lit. 'pot/finial region')

• tu: indeed

• kapālī: Kapālī (a name of Rudra/Śiva, bearer of the skull)

• gaja-dānavam: the elephant-demon

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• daśa api: all ten as well

• te: those

• rudrāḥ: Rudras

• nirmalāḥ: spotless/purified

• ojaḥ-mayaiḥ: filled with vigor/tejas (radiant energy)

• raṇe: in battle.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the Rudra battle episode

Entities Mentioned

• Kapālī (Rudra/Śiva)
• Gaja-dānava
• Daśa Rudrāḥ (Ten Rudras)

Tags

• Shaiva Mythology
• Rudras
• Demon-Slaying
• Purification
• Battle Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to a mythic battle cycle where Rudra (Kapālī) destroys a daitya, emphasizing divine intervention and the restoration of cosmic order rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the dharmic theme of removing destructive forces: just as Kapālī eliminates the gaja-dānava, a king is expected to protect society by restraining adharmic violence, and a householder supports order through self-discipline and lawful conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught here; however, the epithet Kapālī is strongly tied to Śaiva iconography and temple representation, making it relevant for identifying Śiva’s form in Purāṇic temple art contexts.