Shloka 69

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

Devanagari script

ह्रेषारवेण चाश्वानां गुणास्फोटैश्च धन्विनाम् गजं तं निहतं दृष्ट्वा निमिं चापि पराङ्मुखम् //

Transliteration

hreṣāraveṇa cāśvānāṃ guṇāsphoṭaiśca dhanvinām gajaṃ taṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā nimiṃ cāpi parāṅmukham //

Translation

Amid the clamour of the horses’ neighing and the sharp twang of the archers’ bowstrings, seeing that elephant slain—and Nimi too turned away in retreat—(the warriors pressed on).

Word by Word

• ह्रेषारवेण: with the neighing sound

• च: and

• अश्वानाम्: of the horses

• गुणास्फोटैः: with the snapping/twang of bowstrings

• च: and

• धन्विनाम्: of the bowmen/archers

• गजम्: the elephant

• तम्: that

• निहतम्: slain

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• निमिम्: Nimi

• च: and

• अपि: also

• पराङ्मुखम्: turned away/facing away (in retreat)

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) describing events within the royal episode (battle narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Nimi
• Elephant (gaja)
• Archers (dhanvin)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal narrative
• Battle description
• Kshatriya dharma
• Epic style

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a battlefield scene highlighting sound imagery (horses and bowstrings) and a turning point in combat (the elephant slain, Nimi retreating).

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

It reflects Kshatriya context: leadership and morale in war. The detail that Nimi turns away suggests a tactical retreat or loss of resolve—an implicit reminder that a king’s steadiness and strategic judgment shape the course of conflict.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is purely martial narration focused on battlefield sounds and the sight of defeat/withdrawal.