Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

मयो नाम दितेः पुत्रस् त्रिनेत्र कलहप्रियः त्रिपुरं येन तद्दुर्गं कृतं पाण्डुरगोपुरम् //

Transliteration

mayo nāma diteḥ putras trinetra kalahapriyaḥ tripuraṃ yena taddurgaṃ kṛtaṃ pāṇḍuragopuram //

Translation

There was one named Maya, a son of Diti, who delighted in quarrel with the Three‑eyed (Śiva). He it was who fashioned Tripura, that formidable fortress whose gateways were pale‑white and splendid.

Word by Word

• मयः (Mayaḥ): Maya (the architect/asura)

• नाम (nāma): named

• दितेः (Diteḥ): of Diti

• पुत्रः (putraḥ): son

• त्रिनेत्र (trinetra): the Three-eyed (Śiva)

• कलहप्रियः (kalahapriyaḥ): fond of strife/quarrel

• त्रिपुरम् (tripuram): Tripura (the triple city)

• येन (yena): by whom

• तत्-दुर्गम् (tad-durgam): that fortress

• कृतम् (kṛtam): was made/constructed

• पाण्डुर (pāṇḍura): pale-white, bright

• गोपुरम् (gopuram): gateway-tower/fort-gate

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Maya
• Diti
• Trinetra (Shiva)
• Tripura

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Fortifications
• Tripura
• Asura architect
• Puranic architecture

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights construction history—Maya’s building of Tripura’s fortified city and its prominent gopuras—within the Matsya Purana’s architectural/legendary narrative.

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

By stressing durga (fort) and gopura (gateways), it indirectly supports rajadharma: a king should secure cities with strong, well-designed defenses and orderly gateways as part of protecting subjects and maintaining civic stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key architectural term is gopura (gateway-tower/fort-gate). The verse notes Tripura’s distinguished, pale-white gateways, pointing to the Matsya Purana’s interest in visible, monumental entrances as a defining feature of fortified urban design.