Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Maya’s Nectar-Reservoir in Tripura and the Revival of the Slain in the Tripur...

Devanagari script

दुर्गं वै त्रिपुरस्यास्य न समं विद्यते पुरम् तस्याप्येषो ऽनयः प्राप्तो न दुर्गं कारणं क्वचित् //

Transliteration

durgaṃ vai tripurasyāsya na samaṃ vidyate puram tasyāpyeṣo 'nayaḥ prāpto na durgaṃ kāraṇaṃ kvacit //

Translation

Truly, for this Tripura there was no city equal to its fortress; yet even it met with this calamity. A fortification is never, in any case, the real cause of safety.

Word by Word

• दुर्गम् (durgam): fortress, stronghold

• वै (vai): indeed, truly

• त्रिपुरस्य (tripurasya): of Tripura

• अस्य (asya): of this

• न (na): not

• समम् (samam): equal

• विद्यते (vidyate): is found, exists

• पुरम् (puram): city

• तस्यापि (tasyāpi): even for it

• एषः (eṣaḥ): this

• अनयः (anayaḥ): misfortune, calamity, downfall

• प्राप्तः (prāptaḥ): obtained, came upon

• न (na): not

• दुर्गम् (durgam): fort, fortification

• कारणम् (kāraṇam): cause, reason

• क्वचित् (kvacit): ever, anywhere, in any case.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the Tripura episode within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura

Tags

• Tripura
• Dharma
• Impermanence
• Kingship
• Security

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it teaches a parallel principle of impermanence—worldly structures, however mighty, are not ultimate safeguards against downfall.

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

It cautions rulers and householders not to rely only on external defenses (wealth, walls, power). True security is grounded in dharma, right conduct, and prudent governance rather than mere fortification.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally it downplays the absolute protective value of even the best durga (fort). As a Vastu-adjacent takeaway: design and fortification help, but ethical order and wise policy are presented as the decisive “cause” of stability.