Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

मृताः स्थ क्व नु यास्यध्वं हनिष्यामो निवर्तताम् इत्येवं परुषाण्युक्त्वा दानवाः पार्षदर्षभान् //

Transliteration

mṛtāḥ stha kva nu yāsyadhvaṃ haniṣyāmo nivartatām ityevaṃ paruṣāṇyuktvā dānavāḥ pārṣadarṣabhān //

Translation

“You are as good as dead—where do you think you will go? We will kill you; turn back!” Thus, having spoken such harsh words, the Dānavas addressed the foremost of the attendants (pārṣadas).

Word by Word

• मृताः (mṛtāḥ): dead / as good as dead

• स्थ (stha): you are / you stand

• क्व (kva): where

• नु (nu): indeed / pray

• यास्यध्वम् (yāsyadhvam): will you go (2nd pl.)

• हनिष्यामः (haniṣyāmaḥ): we shall kill

• निवर्तताम् (nivartatām): turn back / retreat

• इति (iti): thus

• एवम् (evaṃ): in this manner

• परुषाणि (paruṣāṇi): harsh (words)

• उक्त्वा (uktvā): having said

• दानवाः (dānavāḥ): Dānavas / demons

• पार्षद-ऋषभान् (pārṣada-ṛṣabhān): the best among the attendants/retainers (acc. pl.)

Speaker

• Dānavas (a demonic faction) speaking collectively

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas
• Pārṣadas

Tags

• Battle
• Threat
• Daitya-Dānava
• Puranic narrative
• Dharma (conflict context)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it depicts battlefield intimidation—harsh speech used by Dānavas to frighten opponents.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a dharmic contrast: righteous conduct values measured speech, while demonic conduct is marked by cruelty and intimidation—useful for ethical reflection in the Purana’s broader moral framework.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the focus is purely narrative (a threat issued in a conflict scene).