Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

मेरुपर्वतसंकाशं मयस्यापि पुरं महत् पुष्यसंयोगमात्रेण कालेन स मयः पुरा //

Transliteration

meruparvatasaṃkāśaṃ mayasyāpi puraṃ mahat puṣyasaṃyogamātreṇa kālena sa mayaḥ purā //

Translation

Māya’s great city too was like Mount Meru in splendour; and in former times, that Māya accomplished it merely by choosing the proper time—when the asterism Puṣya was in conjunction.

Word by Word

• meru-parvata-saṃkāśam: resembling Mount Meru

• mayasya api: of Maya also/indeed of Maya

• puram mahat: a great city

• puṣya-saṃyoga-mātreṇa: by the mere conjunction/auspicious alignment of (the nakṣatra) Puṣya

• kālena: by (choosing) the time/at the proper time

• saḥ mayaḥ: that Maya

• purā: formerly/in ancient times.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya teaching (traditional dialogue context ultimately traced to Lord Matsya’s instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Meru
• Maya
• Puṣya (Nakshatra)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• City planning
• Nakshatra muhurta
• Puṣya
• Puranic architecture

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it highlights orderly creation—great building works succeeding through correct muhurta, especially the Puṣya conjunction.

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

It implies that rulers and householders should undertake city-building and construction with disciplined planning, including selecting auspicious timing (muhurta) to ensure stability and prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It foregrounds nakshatra-based muhurta in Vastu: Puṣya-saṃyoga is presented as a highly auspicious alignment for founding or accomplishing major construction such as a fortified city.