Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

ते तस्मिंस्त्रिपुरे दैत्या नद्यः सिन्धुपताविव विशन्ति क्रुद्धवदना वल्मीकमिव पन्नगाः //

Transliteration

te tasmiṃstripure daityā nadyaḥ sindhupatāviva viśanti kruddhavadanā valmīkamiva pannagāḥ //

Translation

There, in that Tripura, the Daityas entered—faces contorted with rage—like rivers flowing into the lord of rivers (the ocean), or like serpents slipping into an anthill (valmīka).

Word by Word

• ते (te): those

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that

• त्रिपुरे (tripure): in Tripura (the triple city/fortress)

• दैत्या (daityāḥ): the Daityas (demons, sons of Diti)

• नद्यः (nadyaḥ): rivers

• सिन्धुपतौ (sindhu-patau): into the lord of rivers, i.e., the ocean

• इव (iva): like

• विशन्ति (viśanti): enter, go into

• क्रुद्धवदनाः (kruddha-vadanāḥ): with angry faces, wrathful-visaged

• वल्मीकम् (valmīkam): an anthill/termite mound

• इव (iva): like

• पन्नगाः (pannagāḥ): serpents.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the Daityas (contextual narration within the Matsya Purana’s Tripura cycle)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Tripura
• Sindhupati (Ocean)
• Pannagas (serpents)
• Valmika (anthill)

Tags

• Tripura
• Daityas
• Puranic Warfare
• Mythic Cities
• Simile

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it uses cosmic-scale imagery (rivers entering the ocean) to convey the Daityas’ mass movement and inevitability as they pour into Tripura.

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

Indirectly, it highlights the danger of anger-driven collectives (“kruddha-vadanāḥ”): a king is cautioned to anticipate and contain hostile forces before they consolidate into a fortified base, and a householder is advised to restrain wrath that rushes in like an unstoppable current.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, “Tripura” functions as an image of a fortified, engineered stronghold; the verse emphasizes how a well-known ‘city/fort’ becomes a locus where forces gather—useful for interpreting Matsya Purana themes around protected settlements and strategic enclosure (though no direct Vastu rule is stated here).