Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 14

Devanagari script

रत्नाचितानि शोभन्ते पुराण्यमरविद्विषाम् प्रासादशतजुष्टानि कूटागारोत्कटानि च //

Transliteration

ratnācitāni śobhante purāṇyamaravidviṣām prāsādaśatajuṣṭāni kūṭāgārotkaṭāni ca //

Translation

Die Städte der Feinde der Götter erglänzen, mit Edelsteinen eingelegt; geschmückt mit Hunderten von Palästen und ehrfurchtgebietend durch hohe Herrenhäuser und Hallen mit spitz zulaufenden Dächern.

Word by Word

• रत्नाचितानि: inlaid/embedded with jewels

• शोभन्ते: shine, appear splendid

• पुराणि: cities/fortified towns

• अमरविद्विषाम्: of the enemies of the immortals (gods)

• प्रासादशतजुष्टानि: furnished with hundreds of palaces

• कूटागार: peaked-roofed halls/upper-storeyed pavilions

• उत्कटानि: lofty, formidable, imposing

• च: and

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic description (within the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Amaras (Devas)
• Amaravidviṣaḥ (enemies of the gods—typically Asuras/Dānavas)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Puranic cityscape
• Palace architecture
• Asuras
• Urban splendour

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on the splendour and architectural features of cities belonging to the enemies of the gods.

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

Indirectly, it reflects ideals of urban prosperity and royal infrastructure—cities marked by many prāsādas (palaces) and prominent buildings—useful for understanding how kings were expected to patronize planned, magnificent capitals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights hallmark elements of Purāṇic architecture—ratna-acita (jewel-inlaid ornamentation), numerous prāsādas, and kūṭāgāras (lofty, peaked-roof structures)—terms often used in Vāstuvidyā to describe prestigious multi-storeyed complexes.