Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

व्यपगच्छतु वो देवा महद्दानवजं भयम् तदहं त्रिपुरं धक्ष्ये क्रियतां यद्ब्रवीमि तत् //

Transliteration

vyapagacchatu vo devā mahaddānavajaṃ bhayam tadahaṃ tripuraṃ dhakṣye kriyatāṃ yadbravīmi tat //

Translation

O gods, let your great fear born of the Dānavas depart. I shall burn Tripura; therefore do exactly as I instruct.

Word by Word

• vyapagacchatu: let it depart/vanish

• vaḥ: your

• devāḥ: O gods

• mahat: great

• dānava-jam: born of the Dānavas (demons)

• bhayam: fear

• tat: therefore/then

• aham: I

• tripuram: Tripura (the three cities/fortresses)

• dhakṣye: I shall burn

• kriyatām: let it be done/please carry out

• yat: what/that which

• bravīmi: I say/instruct

• tat: that

Speaker

• Lord Shiva (in the Tripura-dahana episode, addressing the Devas)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Danavas
• Tripura

Tags

• Tripura-dahana
• Deva-Asura war
• Shaiva episode
• Divine assurance
• Puranic battle

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution (pralaya); it depicts a crisis in the divine order where the Devas are threatened by Dānava power, and Shiva restores balance by destroying Tripura.

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

It models leadership and protection: fear must be dispelled through decisive action, and success requires disciplined cooperation—“do as instructed”—a principle applicable to royal strategy and household governance alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Tripura refers to fortified ‘three cities’; the verse highlights their destruction rather than construction, but it connects to Puranic themes of citadels, siege, and the ritualized, divinely sanctioned act of overcoming hostile strongholds.