Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

शंभुं बिभेद दशनैर् नाभिदेशे गजासुरः दृष्ट्वा सक्तं तु रुद्राभ्यां नव रुद्रास्ततो ऽद्भुतम् //

Transliteration

śaṃbhuṃ bibheda daśanair nābhideśe gajāsuraḥ dṛṣṭvā saktaṃ tu rudrābhyāṃ nava rudrāstato 'dbhutam //

Translation

Gajāsura pierced Śambhu (Śiva), biting him with his tusks in the region of the navel. Seeing him thus engaged with the two Rudras, thereupon—marvellously—nine Rudras manifested.

Word by Word

• śaṃbhum: Śambhu (Śiva)

• bibheda: pierced/bit

• daśanaiḥ: with the teeth/tusks

• nābhi-deśe: in the navel-region

• gajāsuraḥ: the elephant-demon (Gajāsura)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• saktam: engaged/fastened in combat

• tu: indeed

• rudrābhyām: with two Rudras (dual)

• nava: nine

• rudrāḥ: Rudras/forms of Rudra

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• adbhutam: wondrous/astonishing.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the episode (narrative voice within Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Śambhu (Śiva)
• Gajāsura
• Rudra
• Nava Rudras

Tags

• Rudra
• Shaiva mythology
• Asura battle
• Iconography
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it highlights a theophany—multiple Rudra manifestations arising amid combat—showing divine multiplication of power rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces a Purāṇic ethic: when confronted by disruptive forces (asura-like violence), dharmic order is protected through resolute action and divine support—an ideal mirrored in a king’s duty to protect subjects and restrain aggression.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but the mention of “Nava Rudras” is often ritually relevant for Rudra-oriented worship (Rudra-arcana) and can inform iconographic/temple program themes where multiple Rudra forms are installed or invoked.