Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — The Battle for Tripura: Portents

Devanagari script

कोपावृताक्षः स तु तारकाख्यः संख्ये सवृक्षः सगिरिर्निलीनः तस्मिन्क्षणे द्वारवरं रिरक्षो रुद्धं भवेनाद्भुतविक्रमेण //

Transliteration

kopāvṛtākṣaḥ sa tu tārakākhyaḥ saṃkhye savṛkṣaḥ sagirirnilīnaḥ tasminkṣaṇe dvāravaraṃ rirakṣo ruddhaṃ bhavenādbhutavikrameṇa //

Translation

Then Tāraka, his eyes veiled by rage, hid himself in the battle—together with trees and a mountain; but at that very moment the splendid gateway he sought to seize was miraculously blocked by Bhava (Śiva) through his wondrous prowess.

Word by Word

• kopāvṛta-akṣaḥ: with eyes covered/overwhelmed by anger

• sa tu: and he indeed

• tāraka-ākhyaḥ: named Tāraka

• saṃkhye: in battle

• sa-vṛkṣaḥ: along with trees/with trees (as concealment)

• sa-giriḥ: along with a mountain/with a mountain

• nilīnaḥ: concealed, hidden

• tasmin kṣaṇe: at that moment

• dvāra-varam: the excellent/splendid gate (chief gateway)

• rirakṣo: (he) sought to seize/guard/claim (contextually: to take possession of)

• ruddham: obstructed, shut, blocked

• bhavena: by Bhava (Śiva)

• adbhuta-vikrameṇa: by extraordinary valor/power.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting events within the Matsya Purāṇa narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka (Tārakāsura)
• Bhava (Śiva)

Tags

• Deva-Asura battle
• Shaiva episode
• Mythic warfare
• Divine intervention
• Purāṇic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching; it depicts a battlefield episode where divine power (Bhava/Śiva) arrests an adversary’s advance by blocking a chief gateway.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a dharmic leadership theme: arrogance and rage (kopa) lead to concealment and defeat, while rightful protection of strategic entrances (dvāra) symbolizes guarding order and security—core ideals for rulers in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The term dvāra-vara (“chief/splendid gateway”) points to the strategic and symbolic importance of gateways in fortified spaces and sacred precincts—useful for readers searching “Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips” about entrances, thresholds, and protective boundaries.