Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

ह्वेषतां हयवृन्दानां रथनेमिस्वनेन च ज्याघोषेण च शूराणां तुमुलो ऽतिमहानभूत् //

Transliteration

hveṣatāṃ hayavṛndānāṃ rathanemisvanena ca jyāghoṣeṇa ca śūrāṇāṃ tumulo 'timahānabhūt //

Translation

குதிரைக் கூட்டங்களின் கிண்ணென்ற குரல், தேர்சக்கரங்களின் இடிமுழக்கம், மற்றும் வீரர்களின் வில்லின் நாண் துடிப்பின் பேரொலி—இவற்றால் மிகப் பெரும், அச்சமூட்டும் ஆரவாரம் எழுந்தது।

Word by Word

• ह्वेषताम् (hveṣatām): of those neighing

• हयवृन्दानाम् (hayavṛndānām): of groups/multitudes of horses

• रथनेमिस्वनेन (rathanemi-svanena): by the sound of chariot-rims/wheels

• च (ca): and

• ज्याघोषेण (jyā-ghoṣeṇa): by the sound (ghoṣa) of the bowstring (jyā), i.e., the twang

• च (ca): and

• शूराणाम् (śūrāṇām): of heroes/warriors

• तुमुलः (tumulaḥ): tumult, uproar

• अतिमहान् (atimahān): exceedingly great

• अभूत् (abhūt): arose/occurred.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) describing the battlefield scene

Entities Mentioned

• warriors (śūrāḥ)
• horses (hayāḥ)
• chariots (rathāḥ)
• bows/bowstrings (jyā)

Tags

• Battle
• War-sounds
• Royal narrative
• Kshatriya dharma
• Epic-style description

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a vivid martial snapshot, emphasizing battlefield uproar rather than cosmic creation or pralaya themes.

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

It reflects the Kshatriya sphere of duty: organized warfare with chariots, cavalry, and archery—typical markers of royal power and the martial order expected in protection of the realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical focus is on battlefield acoustics—horse-neighing, chariot-wheel roar, and bowstring twang.