Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

वायुनुन्नः स च तरुः शीर्णपुष्पो महारवः विद्युन्मालिशरैश्छिन्नः पपात पतगेशवत् //

Transliteration

vāyununnaḥ sa ca taruḥ śīrṇapuṣpo mahāravaḥ vidyunmāliśaraiśchinnaḥ papāta patageśavat //

Translation

Driven by the wind, that tree—its blossoms scattered—fell with a mighty roar, as though severed by lightning’s thunderbolt-like arrows, crashing to the earth like the lord of birds.

Word by Word

• vāyu-nunnaḥ: driven/impelled by wind

• saḥ: that

• ca: and

• taruḥ: tree

• śīrṇa-puṣpaḥ: with flowers fallen/scattered

• mahā-ravaḥ: with a great sound/roar

• vidyun-māli: lightning-garlanded (i.e., flashing with lightning)

• śaraiḥ: by arrows

• chinnaḥ: cut/severed

• papāta: fell

• pataga-īśa-vat: like the lord of birds (Garuda), i.e., as if a mighty flyer had fallen

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the scene within the Matsya Purana’s calamity narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Vayu
• Viduyt (lightning)
• Patageśa (lord of birds, commonly understood as Garuḍa)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Omens
• Storm imagery
• Cosmic disorder
• Portents

FAQs

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

It depicts violent natural disorder—wind, lightning, and crashing trees—as a literary marker of approaching calamity, consistent with Purāṇic pralaya-style portents.

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

As an omen passage, it indirectly urges vigilance: rulers and householders should read such disturbances as signals to protect people, secure resources, and intensify dharmic conduct and rites when instability spreads.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated; however, the imagery of wind-driven collapse aligns with Vāstu concerns about storm forces—implying the practical need for strong site planning and structural resilience in adverse seasons.