Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

अलङ्घनीयं भवतु त्रिपुरं यदि ते प्रियम् विश्वकर्मा इतीवोक्तः स तदा विश्वकर्मणा //

Transliteration

alaṅghanīyaṃ bhavatu tripuraṃ yadi te priyam viśvakarmā itīvoktaḥ sa tadā viśvakarmaṇā //

Translation

“If it pleases you, let Tripura be made unassailable.” Thus addressed as ‘O Viśvakarmā,’ he then set about the work through Viśvakarmā, the divine architect.

Word by Word

• alāṅghanīyam: not to be overstepped, unassailable

• bhavatu: let it become, may it be

• tripuram: Tripura (the three cities/fortresses)

• yadi: if

• te: to you, your

• priyam: pleasing, desired

• viśvakarmā: Viśvakarmā (divine architect)

• iti: thus

• iva: as it were/indeed

• uktaḥ: spoken/addressed

• saḥ: he

• tadā: then

• viśvakarmaṇā: by/through Viśvakarmā (instrumental).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator in the Matsya Purana’s running dialogue/recital)

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura
• Vishvakarma

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Divine Architecture
• Fortification
• Tripura
• Mythic Cities

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on creation/building—specifically the wish to make Tripura “unassailable,” highlighting constructive (sṛṣṭi/vidhāna) themes rather than dissolution.

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

By emphasizing an “unassailable” city made through expert agency (Viśvakarmā), it aligns with the dharma of rulers/householders to seek competent craftsmanship and proper planning for protection, stability, and orderly habitation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key architectural idea is durability and inviolability (alaṅghanīya)—a Vāstu-oriented goal of fortification—achieved by invoking/engaging Viśvakarmā, the archetypal authority for sacred and royal construction.