Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 13

Devanagari script

प्रशस्तास्तत्र तत्रैव वारुण्यामालयाः स्वयम् रुक्मरूप्यायसानां च शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः //

Transliteration

praśastāstatra tatraiva vāruṇyāmālayāḥ svayam rukmarūpyāyasānāṃ ca śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ //

Translation

Dort, an vielen Orten, erschienen von selbst vortreffliche Wohnstätten der Vāruṇī (die Gottheit/Kraft Varuṇas und der Wasser) — zu Hunderten, ja zu Tausenden — aus Gold, Silber und Eisen gefertigt.

Word by Word

• प्रशस्ताः: excellent, highly praised

• तत्र तत्र एव: there and there, in many places

• वारुण्या: of Vāruṇī / pertaining to Varuṇa (watery, Varuṇa-related)

• आमालयाः: dwellings, abodes, residences

• स्वयम्: by themselves, spontaneously

• रुक्म: gold

• रूप्य: silver

• आयसानाम्: of iron/metal

• च: and

• शतशः: by hundreds

• अथ: and then/indeed

• सहस्रशः: by thousands

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa
• Vāruṇī

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred Geography
• Temple Architecture
• Puranic Wonders
• Prosperity

FAQs

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

It reflects a Purāṇic motif of spontaneous manifestation (svayam) of structures linked to water-deities (Vāruṇī/Varuṇa), suggesting a divinely ordered sacred landscape rather than a human-built city—often used in Purāṇas to describe post-cataclysm or otherworldly realms.

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

By praising abundant, well-appointed abodes and sacred establishments, it implies that rulers and householders should support prosperous, dharmic settlements—maintaining public works and sanctuaries, and honoring deities connected with waters (a key resource for governance and agrarian life).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights material specification (gold, silver, iron) and the concept of svayambhū/svayam-prādurbhāva (self-manifest sites), which in Vastu and tīrtha traditions marks places as especially potent for installation, worship, and patronage.