Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

चन्द्रोदयात्समुद्भूतः पौर्णमास इवार्णवः त्रिपुरं प्रभवत्तद्वद् भीमरूपमहासुरैः //

Transliteration

candrodayātsamudbhūtaḥ paurṇamāsa ivārṇavaḥ tripuraṃ prabhavattadvad bhīmarūpamahāsuraiḥ //

Translation

As the ocean seems to swell with the rising of the moon on the night of the full moon, so too did Tripura come into being—brought forth by mighty great Asuras of dreadful form.

Word by Word

candrodayātfrom the moonrise

samudbhūtaḥarisen, sprung forth

paurṇamāsaḥthe full-moon (day/night), the time of the full moon

ivalike, as if

arṇavaḥocean, sea

tripuramTripura (the triple stronghold/city)

prabhavatcame into existence, arose

tadvatin the same way

bhīma-rūpaof terrifying form

mahā-asuraiḥby great Asuras (powerful demons)

Speaker

Sūta (narratorial voice recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

Chandra (Moon)Arṇava (Ocean)TripuraMahāsuras

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses a cosmic-natural image (moonrise swelling the ocean) to portray the sudden arising of Tripura, emphasizing emergence and expansion rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it frames a threat (the rise of formidable Asuras and their stronghold) that, in Purāṇic ethics, calls for kṣatra-dharma—protecting society from oppressive powers and restoring order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse names Tripura (a ‘triple city/fortress’), hinting at fortified construction and formidable built forms, but it gives no explicit Vāstu rules or ritual procedure in this line.