Shloka 62

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

Devanagari script

मयेन मायावीर्येण वध्यमाना गणेश्वराः भ्रमन्ति बहुशब्दालाः पञ्जरे शकुना इव //

Transliteration

mayena māyāvīryeṇa vadhyamānā gaṇeśvarāḥ bhramanti bahuśabdālāḥ pañjare śakunā iva //

Translation

Assailed by Maya’s sorcerous might, the lords of the gaṇa-hosts wander about in confusion, clamoring with many cries—like birds trapped inside a cage.

Word by Word

• मयेन (mayena): by Maya (the Asura/architect Māyā)

• मायावीर्येण (māyāvīryeṇa): by the power/energy of illusion

• वध्यमाना (vadhyamānāḥ): being struck down/afflicted/overpowered

• गणेश्वराः (gaṇeśvarāḥ): leaders/lords of the groups (divine hosts)

• भ्रमन्ति (bhramanti): they roam/wander in bewilderment

• बहुशब्दालाः (bahuśabdālāḥ): making many sounds/cries, noisy

• पञ्जरे (pañjare): in a cage

• शकुनाः (śakunāḥ): birds

• इव (iva): like/as if

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode to the sages (traditional Purāṇic frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Maya (Asura Māyā)
• Gaṇeśvaras (leaders of the hosts)

Tags

• Māyā
• Asura
• Battle
• Delusion
• Puranic symbolism

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution (pralaya) directly; it highlights māyā (delusive power) as a force that can overwhelm even powerful beings, a theme often used to explain how perception becomes “bound” and confused.

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

It implies a dharmic warning: rulers and householders must guard against deception, panic, and noisy agitation under pressure—cultivating steadiness, counsel, and discernment rather than reacting like “caged birds” in confusion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; however, the mention of “Maya” can allude to the famed Asura architect Māyā in Purāṇic tradition, reinforcing the Matsya Purana’s broader interest in technical knowledge alongside mythic narrative.