Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Burning of Tripura: Maya’s Triple Fortresses and the Boon that Leads to S...

Devanagari script

इच्छामि कर्तुं तद्दुर्गं यद्देवैरपि दुस्तरम् तस्मिंश्च त्रिपुरे दुर्गे मत्कृते कृतिनां वर //

Transliteration

icchāmi kartuṃ taddurgaṃ yaddevairapi dustaram tasmiṃśca tripure durge matkṛte kṛtināṃ vara //

Translation

I wish to build that fort which is difficult to breach even for the gods; and within that threefold fortress, Tripura, constructed by me—O best among the accomplished—I shall establish it as is fitting.

Word by Word

• इच्छामि (icchāmi): I desire

• कर्तुम् (kartuṃ): to make/build

• तत् (tat): that

• दुर्गम् (durgaṃ): fort/stronghold

• यत् (yat): which

• देवैः (devaiḥ): by the gods

• अपि (api): even

• दुस्तरम् (dustaram): hard to cross/overcome, impregnable

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that

• च (ca): and

• त्रिपुरे (tripure): in the threefold enclosure/Tripura-type (three rings/wards)

• दुर्गे (durge): in the fort

• मत्कृते (matkṛte): made/constructed by me

• कृतिनाम् (kṛtināṃ): of the skilled/accomplished

• वर (vara): O excellent one / best among.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructor in Vastuvidya, addressing Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas (gods)
• Tripura (threefold fortress concept)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Durga-nirmana
• Fortification
• Tripura
• City planning

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on Vastuvidya—declaring the intent to build an exceptionally impregnable fort, emphasizing protection and ordered construction rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

For a king, it supports rajadharma through state security: planning and constructing a fortified capital that safeguards people and resources; it reflects the duty to provide protection through disciplined, well-designed infrastructure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights a Tripura-style fort—interpretable as a three-layered defensive layout (three enclosures/wards), a key Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra idea for resilient fortification and city planning.