Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

ततो ऽसुरवरः श्रीमांस् तारकाख्यः प्रतापवान् सतरूणां गिरीणां वै तुल्यरूपधरो बभौ //

Transliteration

tato 'suravaraḥ śrīmāṃs tārakākhyaḥ pratāpavān satarūṇāṃ girīṇāṃ vai tulyarūpadharo babhau //

Translation

Then that illustrious and mighty lord of the Asuras, named Tāraka, appeared—assuming a form comparable to the lofty mountains, like Satarūṇa in grandeur and aspect.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• asura-varaḥ: the foremost among the Asuras

• śrīmān: illustrious, endowed with splendor

• tāraka-ākhyaḥ: named Tāraka

• pratāpavān: mighty, radiant with power

• satarūṇām: of Satarūṇa (as a mountain-range/name)

• girīṇām: of mountains

• vai: indeed

• tulya-rūpa-dharaḥ: bearing a comparable form/appearance

• babhau: shone forth, appeared, became manifest

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator describing events

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka (Tārakāsura)
• Asuras
• Mountains (giri)
• Satarūṇa (mountain reference)

Tags

• Asura
• Deva-Asura conflict
• Power
• Mythic geography
• Epic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on the manifestation and formidable, mountain-like grandeur of the Asura Tāraka within a Deva–Asura narrative.

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

Indirectly, it frames the ethical-political backdrop common in Purāṇas: when destructive power rises (symbolized by Tāraka’s overwhelming might), kingship and dharma are tested—prompting protection of order, subjects, and ritual life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse uses mountain-comparison imagery (giri) to convey scale and majesty, a stylistic device also seen in iconographic descriptions but not a technical rule here.