Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Burning of Tripura and Rudra’s Victory

Devanagari script

सहस्रनयनो देवस् ततः शक्रः पुरंदरः सवित्तदः सवरुणस् त्रिपुरं प्रययौ हरः //

Transliteration

sahasranayano devas tataḥ śakraḥ puraṃdaraḥ savittadaḥ savaruṇas tripuraṃ prayayau haraḥ //

Translation

Then the thousand-eyed god Indra—Śakra, the destroyer of strongholds—together with Savitṛ and Varuṇa, set out for Tripura; and Hara (Śiva) marched forth as well.

Word by Word

सहस्रनयनःthousand-eyed

देवःthe god (Indra)

ततःthen/thereupon

शक्रःŚakra (Indra)

पुरंदरःPurandara, breaker of forts/cities

सवित्तदःwith Savitṛ (the impeller/sun-deity)

सवरुणःwith Varuṇa

त्रिपुरम्to Tripura (the three cities/fortresses)

प्रययौwent forth/set out

हरःHara (Śiva)

Speaker

Suta (Purāṇic narrator) / narrative voice describing the divine expedition

Entities Mentioned

Indra (Śakra, Purandara)SavitṛVaruṇaHara (Śiva)Tripura

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it situates a mythic war narrative where major Vedic deities and Śiva proceed toward Tripura, emphasizing divine coordination rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models righteous alliance and decisive action against a fortified threat: like Indra ‘Purandara,’ a king is expected to protect order (dharma) through strategic leadership and cooperation with capable allies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Tripura literally evokes ‘three cities/fortresses,’ highlighting the idea of formidable, well-defended constructions; ritually, the verse functions as a narrative lead-in to Śiva’s famed Tripura-dahana, often referenced in Śaiva worship and recitation contexts.