Shloka 170

Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A...

Devanagari script

गजानामगलन्मेदः पेतुश्चाप्यरवा भुवि तुरगा निःश्वसन्तश्च घर्मार्ता रथिनो ऽपि च //

Transliteration

gajānāmagalanmedaḥ petuścāpyaravā bhuvi turagā niḥśvasantaśca gharmārtā rathino 'pi ca //

Translation

The elephants’ fat began to ooze and their cries fell upon the earth; the horses, tormented by heat, panted heavily—and even the charioteers were overcome by the oppressive blaze.

Word by Word

• gajānām: of the elephants

• agalat: flowed/oozed

• medaḥ: fat

• petuḥ: fell/descended

• ca api: and also

• aravāḥ: cries/roars

• bhuvi: on the earth

• turagāḥ: horses

• niḥśvasantaḥ: breathing hard/panting

• ca: and

• gharmārtāḥ: afflicted by heat

• rathinaḥ: chariot-warriors/charioteers

• api: even/also

• ca: and

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s description of ominous battlefield conditions (probable narrative voice in this chapter)

Entities Mentioned

• Elephants
• Horses
• Chariot-warriors

Tags

• Arishta
• Omens
• War
• Heat
• Calamity

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it depicts a localized “dissolution of order” through ominous signs—heat, exhaustion, and animal distress—typical of arishta-nimitta (calamity portents).

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

As an omen-style warning, it implies that a ruler should read signs of impending disaster, avoid reckless campaigns in extreme conditions, protect troops and animals, and act with prudence (raja-dharma through foresight and restraint).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its significance is diagnostic—identifying inauspicious conditions (nimitta) that would traditionally prompt postponement of actions and performance of pacificatory rites.