Shloka 61

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

Devanagari script

गदया दन्तिनश्चास्य गण्डदेशे ऽहनद्दृढम् तत्प्रहारमचिन्त्यैव निमिर्निर्भयपौरुषः //

Transliteration

gadayā dantinaścāsya gaṇḍadeśe 'hanaddṛḍham tatprahāramacintyaiva nimirnirbhayapauruṣaḥ //

Translation

And with his mace he struck that elephant firmly on the temple-region of its head. Untroubled by that counterblow, King Nimi—whose manliness was fearless—stood undaunted.

Word by Word

• गदया (gadayā): with a mace

• दन्तिनः (dantinaḥ): of the elephant

• च (ca): and

• अस्य (asya): of it/its

• गण्डदेशे (gaṇḍa-deśe): on the temple/cheek-region (of the head)

• अहनत् (ahanat): struck

• दृढम् (dṛḍham): firmly, forcefully

• तत्प्रहारम् (tat-prahāram): that blow/that striking (i.e., the impact/counter-impact)

• अचिन्त्य (acintya): without concern, not minding

• एव (eva): indeed

• निमिः (nimiḥ): Nimi (the king)

• निर्भयपौरुषः (nirbhaya-pauruṣaḥ): possessing fearless valor/manliness

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting the episode within the Matsya Purāṇa’s royal-dynasty narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Nimi
• Elephant (dantin)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal valor
• Battle narrative
• Kshatriya dharma
• Puranic history

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a royal-heroic narrative highlighting human courage and martial prowess rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It exemplifies kṣatriya-dharma: steadfastness under danger, decisive action, and fearlessness—qualities expected of a king in protecting order and confronting threats.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is a battlefield description focused on Nimi’s strike and composure.