Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

यो वः प्राणो बलं यच्च या च वो वैरितासुराः तत्कृत्वा हृदये चैव पालयध्वमिदं पुरम् //

Transliteration

yo vaḥ prāṇo balaṃ yacca yā ca vo vairitāsurāḥ tatkṛtvā hṛdaye caiva pālayadhvamidaṃ puram //

Translation

Whatever is your very life-breath, whatever is your strength, and whichever asuras are hostile to you—holding all that firmly within your heart, protect this city.

Word by Word

• yaḥ: whatever/which

• vaḥ: of you/your

• prāṇaḥ: life-breath, vital force

• balam: strength, power

• yat ca: and whatever

• yā ca: and whoever (fem./collective)

• vaḥ: to you/against you (in context)

• vairitā: enmity/hostility

• asurāḥ: asuras, hostile beings/demonic foes

• tat: that (all of it)

• kṛtvā: having made/placing (as an inner resolve)

• hṛdaye: in the heart

• ca eva: and indeed

• pālayadhvam: protect, guard (imperative, plural)

• idam: this

• puram: city, fortified town.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu / the protectors of the city)

Entities Mentioned

• Asuras

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Fortification
• City Protection
• Dharma of Rulership
• Security

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on practical protection—urging steadfast inner resolve to guard the city against hostile forces.

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

It reflects rajadharma: rulers and guardians must protect the community with unwavering vigilance, treating defense as essential as life and strength itself.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Its significance is defensive Vastuvidya in spirit—city protection as an organized duty; the verse emphasizes inner discipline and readiness as part of safeguarding the fortified settlement.