Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

पुराण्येकप्रहारेण शतानि निहनिष्यति आयसं तु क्षितितले राजतं तु नभस्तले //

Transliteration

purāṇyekaprahāreṇa śatāni nihaniṣyati āyasaṃ tu kṣititale rājataṃ tu nabhastale //

Translation

With a single blow, the ancient implement/weapon can strike down hundreds. Iron, however, is to be placed in the earth, while silver is to be placed in an elevated, skyward position.

Word by Word

• purāṇi: ancient/old (thing, implement)

• eka-prahāreṇa: with a single strike/blow

• śatāni: hundreds

• nihaniṣyati: will slay/strike down/destroy

• āyasam: iron (made of iron)

• tu: however/indeed

• kṣiti-tale: on the ground/within the earth

• rājatam: silver

• tu: and/indeed

• nabhas-tale: on the sky-level/on a high place/aloft

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu/ritual-technical context)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Iron
• Silver

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Metals
• Ritual Materials
• Placement Rules
• Technical Omens

FAQs

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

This verse does not speak about Pralaya; it is a technical rule focusing on the efficacy of an ancient implement and the prescribed placement of metals (iron and silver).

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

It supports dharmic governance and household ritual discipline by prescribing correct handling and placement of materials—rules a king enforces in public works and a householder follows in rites and construction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a Vastu-style material directive: iron is associated with being set in/at ground level, while silver is suited for higher placement, implying graded positioning of metals in construction or consecration layouts.