Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

द्विपाधिरूढो दैत्येन्द्रो हतदुन्दुभिना ततः कल्पान्ताम्बुधराभेण दुर्धरेणापि दानवः //

Transliteration

dvipādhirūḍho daityendro hatadundubhinā tataḥ kalpāntāmbudharābheṇa durdhareṇāpi dānavaḥ //

Translation

Then the lord of the Daityas, mounted upon an elephant, advanced—himself a formidable Dānava—bearing the mighty force/weapon called Hatadundubhi, and appearing like a dark cloud at the end of a kalpa, hard to withstand.

Word by Word

• द्विप (dvipa): elephant

• अधिरूढः (adhirūḍhaḥ): mounted upon/ascended

• दैत्येन्द्रः (daityendraḥ): king of the Daityas

• हतदुन्दुभिना (hatadundubhinā): with/holding Hatadundubhi (a proper name—likely a weapon, mace, or battle-instrument)

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• कल्पान्त (kalpānta): end of an aeon

• अम्बुधर (ambudhara): cloud

• आभेण (ābheṇa): appearing like/resembling

• दुर्धरेण (durdhareṇa): difficult to bear/withstand

• अपि (api): even/indeed

• दानवः (dānavaḥ): a Dānava (demon clan being).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the battle episode (likely within the Matsya Purana’s recitation framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityendra (Daitya-king)
• Dānava
• Hatadundubhi

Tags

• Daitya
• Dānava
• Battle
• Epic Imagery
• Kalpānta

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses “kalpānta-cloud” imagery to convey overwhelming, end-of-age intensity in battle—an apocalyptic simile rather than an actual dissolution account.

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

Indirectly, it frames the scale of conflict and the presence of powerful adversaries; in Purāṇic ethics, such depictions support the idea that rulers must cultivate courage, preparedness, and protection of order (dharma) against destabilizing forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None explicitly. The verse is martial and poetic, focused on a Daitya-king’s approach and terrifying appearance, not on Vāstu, temple rules, or ritual procedure.