Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

प्राकारेषु पुरे तत्र गोपुरेष्वपि चापरे अट्टालकान्समारुह्य केचिच् चलितवादिनः //

Transliteration

prākāreṣu pure tatra gopureṣvapi cāpare aṭṭālakānsamāruhya kecic calitavādinaḥ //

Translation

There, in that city, some stood upon the ramparts, others upon the gatehouses; and some, climbing the watchtowers, raised the alarm, shouting in agitated voices.

Word by Word

• प्राकारेषु (prākāreṣu): on the ramparts/fort-walls

• पुरे (pure): in the city

• तत्र (tatra): there

• गोपुरेषु (gopureṣu): on the gatehouses/towered gateways

• अपि (api): also

• च (ca): and

• अपरे (apare): others

• अट्टालकान् (aṭṭālakān): watchtowers/battlements

• समारुह्य (samāruhya): having climbed/ascended

• केचित् (kecit): some

• चलित-वादिनः (calita-vādinaḥ): speaking in agitation, raising a disturbed cry/alarm

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: Vastu/fortification guidance and city-description narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Prākāra (rampart)
• Gopura (gatehouse)
• Aṭṭālaka (watchtower)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Fortification
• City Planning
• Gatehouse
• Watchtowers

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it depicts a city’s defensive architecture and the human response (raising an alarm) from ramparts, gates, and watchtowers.

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

It reflects the king’s duty of protection (rakṣaṇa): maintaining fort-walls, gatehouses, and watchtowers and ensuring vigilant guards who can quickly raise an alarm to safeguard the city.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it names key fort elements—prākāra (rampart), gopura (gatehouse), and aṭṭālaka (watchtower)—highlighting layered surveillance and controlled entry as core principles in Matsya Purana-style urban defense planning.