Mentioned in the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana), Timingila holds a unique place in the lore of Vedic literature.
The name “Timingila” itself evokes awe, derived from the Sanskrit words “timi” (whale) and “gila” (to swallow). The Timingila fish wasn’t merely a predator but a gargantuan aquatic creature that could engulf whales whole.
Timingila in the Mahabharata
In Bibek Debroy's 10 volume translation of the Mahabharata, there are multiple references to the Timingila.
Arjuna's encounters
Arjuna encountered these monstrous beings during his oceanic journey to acquire celestial weapons for the Kurukshetra War. In describing his adventures to fellow Pandavas on his return, Arjuna remarks:
Then I beheld the terrible ocean, the eternal lord of the waters. Towering waves could be seen there...Timingilas, tortoises, whales and crocodiles could be seen, immersed in the water like mountains.
Uluka's message to the Pandavas
Another mention is in Duryodhana's message to the Pandavas and, in particular, to Arjuna right before the war.
Duryodhana sent Uluka, son of Shakuni, to the Pandavas camp with the intention to mock and incite the Pandavas as well as to boast about the strength of the Kaurava forces.
In doing so, Uluka, in his inciting speech towards Arjuna, compares various kings in the Kaurava forces to powerful aspects of nature, both animate and inanimate:
Go and fight with Bhishma. Break your head against a mountain. Swim across this deep ocean of men, using your arms. Sharadvata is a giant fish. Vivimshati is a school of fish. Brihadbala is a giant wave. Soumadatti is a timingila.
Galava and Garuda
Timingila also finds a mention in the story of Rishi Galava, that Narada recounted to Duryodhana in attempting to discourage him from going to war.
Sitting atop Garuda, Galava praises Garuda's splendor and power:
Because of the great force created by the wind of your wings, the water seems to be raised up into the sky, with its fish, serpents and crocodiles. I can see fish, whale and timingilas, similar in their forms, churned up and also serpents, similar in forms to men.
A king by the name Timingila
There is also a reference to a king by the name Timingila whom Sahadeva the Pandava subdues, which we can discount for the purpose of this article:
The high-souled warrior, having brought under subjection king Timingila, conquered a wild tribe known by the name of the Kerakas who were men with one leg.
Timingila in the Ramayana
In the Ramayana, Timingilas are described as inhabiting the perilous waters between Lord Rama and Lanka, Ravana’s stronghold. Yuddha Kanda provides a haunting description of the ocean teeming with “timi-timingilas” and crocodiles, their swift movements likened to fierce winds.
The mention of these creatures amplifies the dangers that Lord Rama and his army faced, making their journey even more heroic.
Srimad Bhagavatam: Markandeya Rishi's Encounter
The Srimad Bhagavatam offers another perspective on the Timingila.
In his mystical journey through the waters of devastation, Markandeya Rishi encounters these ferocious creatures. Battling hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, he finds himself amidst Makaras (crocodiles) and Timingilas:
“Suffering from hunger and thirst, attacked by Makaras and Timingilas and battered by the waves and the wind, Markandeya wandered through the infinite gloom that enveloped him.”
Timingila in Tamil
Timingila appears in Tamil too, and its usage is no different from Sanskrit.
In Agarathi, a Tamil dictionary, "திமிங்கிலம்" (timiṅgilam) refers to a colossal aquatic creature believed to be capable of swallowing a whale whole.
And in Tamil literature and everyday language, timingila is often used metaphorically to describe something or someone of immense size or power.
In Tamil translations, however, timingila is commonly translated as 'whale'. Here are two examples of such a translation in contemporary usage:
Is Timingila just another giant fish or The Meg?
The Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark, and popularised by the science fiction action film The Meg, once roamed the oceans of the world.
Fossil evidence suggests it went extinct around 1.5 million years ago, long before humans existed. Comparing the characteristics of the Timingila and the Megalodon, they seem remarkably similar in size, habitat, behavior, and diet.
As per B.G. Narasimha's article Timingila—Myth or Fact?
Forensic studies of Megalodon fossils reveal that the predator was capable of eating anything in its path, but favored whale meat.
This raises a fascinating question: How could ancient Indian texts accurately describe a creature that had been extinct for millions of years?
If these texts were written as recently as Western scholars claim, it would be impossible for their authors to have firsthand knowledge of the Megalodon.This discrepancy challenges the conventional dating of these ancient Indian texts and suggests that they may be much older than previously thought.
Quiz
What does Timingila mean?
King of the seas
Divine animal
Earth-destroyer
Whale-swallower
Answer
Timingila is composed of two Sanskrit words "timi" and "gila". What does "gila" mean?
Whale
Destroy
Breathe
Swallow
Answer