Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Terror of Tripura and the Gods’ Hymn to Śiva

Devanagari script

तच्च तेषामधिष्ठानं त्रिपुरं त्रिदशर्षभाः एकेषुपातमोक्षेण हन्तव्यं नेषुवृष्टिभिः //

Transliteration

tacca teṣāmadhiṣṭhānaṃ tripuraṃ tridaśarṣabhāḥ ekeṣupātamokṣeṇa hantavyaṃ neṣuvṛṣṭibhiḥ //

Translation

And that stronghold of theirs—Tripura—O best of the gods, must be destroyed by the discharge of a single arrow, not by showers of arrows.

Word by Word

• tat: that

• ca: and

• teṣām: of them

• adhiṣṭhānam: seat/stronghold, principal base

• tripuram: Tripura (the triple city/fortress)

• tridaśa-ṛṣabhāḥ: O bull among the thirty gods (best of the Devas)

• eka-iṣu-pāta-mokṣeṇa: by the release/discharge of a single arrow-shot

• hantavyam: is to be slain/destroyed

• na: not

• iṣu-vṛṣṭibhiḥ: by rains/showers of arrows

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (Tripura episode context within Matsya Purana narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura
• Tridaśas (Devas)

Tags

• Tripura
• Shiva
• Devas
• Divine weapon
• Puranic warfare

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it emphasizes a decisive, divinely sanctioned destruction—Tripura is to fall through one ordained strike rather than prolonged violence.

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

It implies the dharmic ideal of precise, proportionate action: victory (or problem-solving) should be achieved through a single well-judged measure when possible, not through excessive force or repeated harm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Tripura is framed as an adhiṣṭhāna (fortified seat/stronghold); the verse highlights the concept of a seemingly impregnable fortified structure being overcome only by a ritually/strategically ‘perfect’ single act—useful for interpreting Puranic fort-city symbolism rather than giving direct Vastu rules.