Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

वासवैतद् अरीणां ते त्रिपुरं परिदृश्यते विमानैश्च पताकाभिर् ध्वजैश्च समलंकृतम् //

Transliteration

vāsavaitad arīṇāṃ te tripuraṃ paridṛśyate vimānaiśca patākābhir dhvajaiśca samalaṃkṛtam //

Translation

O Vāsava (Indra), behold—this is the Tripura of your enemies, now come into view; it is splendidly adorned with vimānas (aerial chariots), banners, and standards.

Word by Word

• vāsava: O Vāsava (Indra)

• etat: this

• arīṇām: of the enemies

• te: of you/your

• tripuram: Tripura (the threefold city/fortress)

• paridṛśyate: is seen/comes into full view

• vimānaiḥ: with vimānas (aerial cars/chariots)

• ca: and

• patākābhiḥ: with banners/streamers

• dhvajaiḥ: with flags/standards

• ca: and

• samalaṅkṛtam: well-adorned, fully decorated

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the scene to Vāsava/Indra within the Tripura narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsava (Indra)
• Tripura
• Asuras (enemies of the Devas)

Tags

• Tripura
• Asura-cities
• Divine warfare
• Puranic cosmography
• Iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it depicts a visible, ornamented enemy stronghold (Tripura), emphasizing mythic geography and martial spectacle rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects royal-statecraft themes: recognizing the enemy’s fortified splendor and preparedness (standards, banners, vehicles) aligns with a king’s duty to assess opposing power and maintain disciplined military order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights the idea of a fortified city lavishly “adorned” (samalaṅkṛta) with dhvajas and patākās—features also echoed in temple-festival and city-decoration practices, where banners and standards mark sovereignty, auspiciousness, and public ritual display.