Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

ततः शशाङ्कतिलकः कपर्दी परमार्तवत् उवाच नन्दिनं भक्तः स मयो ऽद्य विनङ्क्ष्यति //

Transliteration

tataḥ śaśāṅkatilakaḥ kapardī paramārtavat uvāca nandinaṃ bhaktaḥ sa mayo 'dya vinaṅkṣyati //

Translation

Then Kapardī—Śiva, whose brow is adorned with the crescent moon—spoke to Nandī in deep distress: “That devotee of mine will perish today.”

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• śaśāṅka-tilakaḥ: he whose ornament/mark is the moon (crescent-adorned)

• kapardī: the matted-haired one (Śiva)

• paramārtavat: as if in extreme anguish, like one greatly afflicted

• uvāca: said

• nandinam: to Nandī

• bhaktaḥ: devotee

• saḥ: he/that person

• mama: of me, my

• adya: today

• vinaṅkṣyati: will be destroyed, will perish

Speaker

• Lord Śiva (Kapardī, Śaśāṅkatilaka)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva
• Nandī

Tags

• Shaiva
• Bhakti
• Divine compassion
• Protection of devotees
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it highlights a Shaiva narrative moment where Śiva, moved by compassion, foresees danger to his devotee.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical ideal that protectors (kings, householders, leaders) should feel urgent concern for dependents—mirroring Śiva’s protective concern for his bhakta.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this line; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic emphasis on bhakti—devotion that draws the deity’s active protection.