Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

प्राकारगोपुराट्टेषु कक्षान्ते दानवाः स्थिताः इमे च तोयदाभासा दनुजा विकृताननाः //

Transliteration

prākāragopurāṭṭeṣu kakṣānte dānavāḥ sthitāḥ ime ca toyadābhāsā danujā vikṛtānanāḥ //

Translation

Upon the ramparts and at the gate-towers, and at the edge of the inner enclosure, the Dānavas were stationed—these sons of Danu, cloud-dark in appearance, with distorted and fearsome faces.

Word by Word

• prākāra: rampart/fort-wall

• gopura: gate-tower/portal

• aṭṭa: battlement/watch-tower/parapet-terrace

• -eṣu: in/on (locative plural)

• kakṣā-anta: boundary/end of an enclosure/inner ward

• dānavāḥ: Dānavas (demons/hostile beings)

• sthitāḥ: stood/posted/stationed

• ime: these

• ca: and

• toyada-ābhāsāḥ: having the appearance/colour of rain-clouds (dark like cloud-water)

• danujāḥ: sons of Danu (a class of Asuras)

• vikṛta-ānanāḥ: having deformed/distorted faces

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice describing the scene; within the Matsya Purana’s ongoing discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas
• Danujas
• Prākāra (rampart)
• Gopura (gate-tower)
• Kakṣā (enclosure/ward)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Fortification
• City Defense
• Gopura
• Prākāra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it depicts a tactical placement of Dānavas at ramparts, gate-towers, and enclosure edges, emphasizing threat and vigilance rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the king’s duty of protection (rakṣaṇa): maintaining guarded walls, gates, and inner wards, and anticipating hostile forces at key defensive points of a settlement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights fort components central to Vāstu-based defense—prākāra (rampart), gopura (gate-tower), and kakṣā (enclosed ward)—showing the strategic importance of layered enclosures and guarded gateways.