Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

देवानां यत्र वृत्तानि कन्यादानानि यानि च रेमे नित्यं भवो यत्र सहायैः पार्षदैर्गणैः //

Transliteration

devānāṃ yatra vṛttāni kanyādānāni yāni ca reme nityaṃ bhavo yatra sahāyaiḥ pārṣadairgaṇaiḥ //

Translation

There—where the deeds of the Devas and the sacred rite of kanyādāna (the giving of a maiden in marriage) were celebrated—Bhava (Lord Śiva) ever sported, accompanied by his helpers: the attendants and hosts of gaṇas.

Word by Word

• devānām: of the gods

• yatra: where

• vṛttāni: deeds/episodes/occurrences

• kanyā-dānāni: gifts of maidens, the kanyādāna rite

• yāni: which

• ca: and

• reme: rejoiced/sported/dwelt in delight

• nityam: always/constantly

• bhavaḥ: Bhava, Lord Śiva

• yatra: where

• sahāyaiḥ: with companions/helpers

• pārṣadaiḥ: with attendants/retinue

• gaṇaiḥ: with gaṇas, divine hosts

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the sanctity of a Śaiva site within the Matsya Purāṇa’s sacred-geography discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Bhava (Shiva)
• Devas
• Parshadas
• Ganas

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Shiva
• Rituals
• Kanyadana
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it highlights a sacred locale where divine deeds and auspicious rites are remembered, emphasizing sanctity rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By mentioning kanyādāna, it points to the householder’s dharma—conducting marriage rites and charitable gifting in a proper sacred setting—presented as acts aligned with divine precedent.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: kanyādāna is named as a meritorious saṃskāra; the verse also implies a consecrated Śaiva space associated with Śiva’s gaṇas, a typical marker of a powerful tirtha/temple environment.