Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

भूम्यानां जलजानां च शापानां मुनितेजसाम् देवप्रहरणानां च देवानां च प्रजापतेः //

Transliteration

bhūmyānāṃ jalajānāṃ ca śāpānāṃ munitejasām devapraharaṇānāṃ ca devānāṃ ca prajāpateḥ //

Translation

“(He speaks of the powers) of beings of the earth and those born in the waters; of curses arising from the fiery spiritual might of sages; of the divine missiles; and of the gods—and of Prajāpati, the Lord of progeny, as well.”

Word by Word

• bhūmyānām: of earth(-born beings)/terrestrial forces

• jalajānām: of water-born beings/aquatic forces

• ca: and

• śāpānām: of curses

• muni-tejasām: of the splendor/ascetic potency of sages

• deva-praharaṇānām: of divine weapons/missiles

• devānām: of the gods

• ca: and

• prajāpateḥ: of Prajāpati (creator/progenitor deity)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (to Vaivasvata Manu) — likely within a catalog of forces/dangers or protections

Entities Mentioned

• Munis (sages)
• Devas (gods)
• Prajapati

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Protection
• Mantra-Shakti
• Divine Weapons

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe Pralaya; it lists categories of potent forces—terrestrial and aquatic beings, curses empowered by sage-ascetic energy, and divine agencies—often invoked in Purāṇic contexts to explain cosmic governance and the sources of extraordinary harm or protection.

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

It implies a dharmic worldview where rulers and householders must respect sages (whose śāpa can be decisive), honor the devas through proper rites, and avoid actions that provoke supernatural or social-religious consequences—core to Matsya Purana ethical governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, none is explicit; ritually, the verse foregrounds forces (śāpa, muni-tejas, devapraharaṇa) that are typically addressed through śānti/rakṣā rites—protective procedures that the Matsya Purana often frames as safeguards against seen and unseen dangers.