Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

वृक्षमालोक्य तं छिन्नं दानवेन वरेषुभिः रोषमाहारयत्तीव्रं नन्दीश्वरः सुविग्रहः //

Transliteration

vṛkṣamālokya taṃ chinnaṃ dānavena vareṣubhiḥ roṣamāhārayattīvraṃ nandīśvaraḥ suvigrahaḥ //

Translation

Seeing that tree cut down by the Dānava with excellent arrows, Nandīśvara—mighty in form—was seized by fierce and burning wrath.

Word by Word

• vṛkṣam: the tree

• ālokya: having seen

• tam: that

• chinnam: cut, felled

• dānavena: by the Dānava (demon)

• vara-iṣubhiḥ: with excellent arrows

• roṣam: anger, wrath

• āhārayat: took on, assumed, was overcome by

• tīvram: intense, fierce

• nandīśvaraḥ: Nandīśvara (Nandin, Śiva’s attendant)

• su-vigrahaḥ: of powerful/noble form, formidable-bodied

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the event (narrative voice within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Nandīśvara (Nandin)
• Dānava

Tags

• Shaiva
• Deva-Asura
• Mythic battle
• Wrath (roṣa)
• Narrative episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it depicts a mythic conflict moment where Nandīśvara reacts in fury to a demon felling a tree with arrows.

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

Indirectly, it illustrates the protective impulse against destructive, adharmic acts—an ethical theme the Matsya Purana often frames as safeguarding order (dharma) against wanton harm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the imagery centers on a sacred/protected object (a tree) being damaged, a common Purāṇic trigger for divine or guardian intervention.