Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

तेन नादेन त्रिपुराद् दानवा युद्धलालसाः उत्पत्य दुद्रुवुश्चेलुः सायुधाः खे गणेश्वरान् //

Transliteration

tena nādena tripurād dānavā yuddhalālasāḥ utpatya dudruvuśceluḥ sāyudhāḥ khe gaṇeśvarān //

Translation

Stirred by that thunderous roar, the Dānavas—eager for battle—leapt up from Tripura and rushed forth; armed, they surged through the sky toward the hosts of the Gaṇa-lords.

Word by Word

• tena: by that

• nādena: roar/sound

• tripurāt: from Tripura

• dānavāḥ: the Dānavas (demonic clans)

• yuddha-lālasāḥ: desirous of battle

• utpatya: leaping up/springing forth

• dudruvuḥ: they ran/charged

• celuḥ: they moved/swept onward

• sa-āyudhāḥ: with weapons/armed

• khe: in the sky

• gaṇa-īśvarān: the lords of the gaṇas (Śiva’s troop-commanders)

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranic narrator) describing the Tripura conflict narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura
• Dānavas
• Gaṇeśvaras (Śiva’s gaṇas)

Tags

• Tripura
• Shaiva-Myth
• Battle
• Daityas-Danavas
• Cosmic-Warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it depicts martial mobilization in the Tripura cycle—Dānavas reacting to a mighty sound and moving into open conflict.

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

Indirectly, it functions as a dharmic warning: uncontrolled ‘yuddha-lālasā’ (lust for battle) is portrayed as an asuric impulse, contrasting with the Purāṇic ideal that rulers wage war only as a last resort for protection and order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term is ‘Tripura’ (the triple city/fortress), which in the larger Tripura narrative becomes a symbol of formidable constructed power; this verse itself emphasizes the city’s martial occupants rather than explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure.