Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

रणादपससर्पाशु भीषितो निमिहस्तिना ततो वायुर्ववौ रूक्षो बहुशर्करपांसुलः //

Transliteration

raṇādapasasarpāśu bhīṣito nimihastinā tato vāyurvavau rūkṣo bahuśarkarapāṃsulaḥ //

Translation

Frightened by Nimi’s elephant, he swiftly withdrew from the battlefield. Then a harsh, dry wind began to blow, thick with gravel and dust.

Word by Word

• रणात् (raṇāt): from the battle/field of combat

• अपससर्प (apasasarpa): withdrew, retreated

• आशु (āśu): quickly

• भीषितः (bhīṣitaḥ): frightened, terrified

• निमिहस्तिना (nimi-hastinā): by Nimi’s elephant (the elephant belonging to/associated with Nimi)

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• वायुः (vāyuḥ): wind

• ववौ (vavau): blew

• रूक्षः (rūkṣaḥ): dry, harsh

• बहु (bahu): much, abundant

• शर्करा (śarkarā): gravel, small stones

• पांसुलः (pāṃsulaḥ): dusty, filled with dust

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the events (battle description)

Entities Mentioned

• Nimi
• Elephant (hastin)
• Wind (Vayu)

Tags

• Battle-omens
• Royal-conflict
• Puranic-narrative
• Atmospheric-portents
• Matsya-Purana-story

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic creation or Pralaya; it uses a harsh, dust-laden wind as an immediate battlefield portent, emphasizing chaos and fear rather than universal dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it underscores kṣātra-dharma themes: courage versus fear in conflict and the role of omens and morale in royal warfare, though it does not prescribe household or kingly duties explicitly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the only technical imagery is environmental—wind carrying dust and gravel—serving as a narrative sign of disturbance rather than an architectural rule.