Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Battle at Tripura: Shiva’s Strategy

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच ततो रणे देवबलं नारदो ऽभ्यगमत्पुनः आगत्य चैव त्रिपुरात् सभायामास्थितः स्वयम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca tato raṇe devabalaṃ nārado 'bhyagamatpunaḥ āgatya caiva tripurāt sabhāyāmāsthitaḥ svayam //

Translation

Sūta said: Then, in the midst of the battle, Nārada approached the host of the gods again; and having returned from Tripura, he himself stood present in the assembly hall.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• raṇe: in battle

• deva-balam: the army/force of the gods

• nāradaḥ: Nārada

• abhyagamat: approached/went near

• punaḥ: again

• āgatya: having come/returned

• ca eva: and indeed

• tripurāt: from Tripura

• sabhāyām: in the assembly hall/council

• āsthitaḥ: stood/was stationed

• svayam: himself/personally

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Nārada
• Devas (devabala)
• Tripura

Tags

• Tripura
• Narada
• Deva-sabha
• Pauranic warfare
• Shaiva episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it frames a war-episode transition, highlighting Nārada’s movement between Tripura and the gods’ assembly.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of counsel and timely communication: like a king relying on envoys and sabhā deliberation, righteous action is guided by informed strategy and assembly decision-making.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The only implied element is the “sabhā” (assembly hall), a civic/royal space; no explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse.