Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

लोकपालाः सदा यत्र तस्थुर्मेरुगिरौ यथा मधुपिङ्गलनेत्रस्तु चन्द्रावयवभूषणः देवानामधिपं प्राह गणपांश्च महेश्वरः //

Transliteration

lokapālāḥ sadā yatra tasthurmerugirau yathā madhupiṅgalanetrastu candrāvayavabhūṣaṇaḥ devānāmadhipaṃ prāha gaṇapāṃśca maheśvaraḥ //

Translation

There the Lokapālas (guardians of the directions) ever stood, as they stand upon Mount Meru. Then Mahēśvara, honey-tawny-eyed and adorned with the crescent moon upon his body, addressed the Lord of the Devas and also spoke to his gaṇas.

Word by Word

• लोकपालाः: guardians of the quarters

• सदा: always

• यत्र: where

• तस्थुः: stood/stationed

• मेरुगिरौ: on Mount Meru

• यथा: just as

• मधु-पिङ्गल-नेत्रः: having honey-tawny (golden-brown) eyes

• तु: then/indeed

• चन्द्र-अवयव-भूषणः: adorned with the moon (crescent) as a bodily ornament

• देवानाम्: of the gods

• अधिपम्: the lord/sovereign

• प्राह: said/spoke

• गणपान्: the Gaṇas (attendant hosts)

• च: and

• महेश्वरः: Mahēśvara (Śiva).

Speaker

• Suta / Purana-narrator (descriptive narration within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokapalas
• Meru
• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Chandra (the Moon)
• Devanam Adhipa (Lord of the Devas—typically Indra)
• Ganas

Tags

• Cosmography
• Deva-assembly
• Shiva iconography
• Lokapalas
• Meru

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it situates the narrative in a cosmic, orderly setting where the Lokapālas stand firm like on Meru, emphasizing stability and divine governance rather than dissolution.

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

By highlighting the Lokapālas stationed in their proper places and a supreme lord addressing the assembly, the verse implicitly models dharmic order: rulers and householders should maintain assigned responsibilities, proper hierarchy, and disciplined counsel—mirroring the structured governance of the gods.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily iconographic and cosmographic: Śiva is marked by the crescent moon ornament and described with distinctive eyes—details used in pratima-lakṣaṇa (iconography) and ritual visualization, supporting accurate temple imagery and dhyāna (meditative) forms.