Shloka 70

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

Devanagari script

दग्धार्धचन्द्राणि सवेदिकानि विशीर्णहर्म्याणि सतोरणानि दग्धानि दग्धानि गृहाणि तत्र पतन्ति रक्षार्थमिवार्णवौघे //

Transliteration

dagdhārdhacandrāṇi savedikāni viśīrṇaharmyāṇi satoraṇāni dagdhāni dagdhāni gṛhāṇi tatra patanti rakṣārthamivārṇavaughe //

Translation

There, half-moon–shaped shrines and altar-platforms lie scorched; mansions stand shattered, gateways still bearing their arches. Burnt—burnt again—those houses collapse, as if falling into the ocean’s rushing flood in a desperate bid for protection.

Word by Word

• दग्ध (dagdha): burnt, scorched

• अर्धचन्द्राणि (ardhacandrāṇi): half-moon–shaped (structures/arches)

• स-वेदिकानि (sa-vedikāni): with altars/raised ritual platforms

• विशीर्ण (viśīrṇa): broken, crumbled, ruined

• हर्म्याणि (harmyāṇi): mansions, multi-storied houses

• स-तोरणानि (sa-toraṇāni): with gateways/arches (toraṇas)

• गृहाणि (gṛhāṇi): houses, dwellings

• तत्र (tatra): there

• पतन्ति (patanti): fall, collapse

• रक्षार्थम् (rakṣārtham): for the sake of protection

• इव (iva): as if

• अर्णव-ओघे (arṇava-aughe): in the ocean-flood, in the surge of the sea

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Pralaya
• Destruction
• Urban Ruin
• Vastu
• Portents

FAQs

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

It depicts dissolution through vivid urban imagery—ritual platforms, gateways, and mansions are scorched and collapsing, evoking a world overwhelmed by a flood-like surge.

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

By showing even well-built homes and civic structures failing in calamity, it underscores the Purāṇic ethic of preparedness, protection of dependents, and detachment—kings and householders should prioritize dharma and safety over mere material security.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse names vedikā (ritual/altar platforms) and toraṇa (arched gateways), indicating recognizable elements of sacred and civic architecture—features discussed in Vāstu and temple/city design traditions within Purāṇic literature.