Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Tripura Takes Refuge in the Ocean; Maya’s Hidden Nectar-Reservoir and the God...

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच प्रमथैः समरे भिन्नास् त्रैपुरास्ते सुरारयः पुरं प्रविविशुर्भीताः प्रमथैर्भग्नगोपुरम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca pramathaiḥ samare bhinnās traipurāste surārayaḥ puraṃ praviviśurbhītāḥ pramathairbhagnagopuram //

Translation

Sūta said: In the battle, those Tripura-demons—enemies of the gods—were shattered by the Pramathas. Terrified, they fled back into their city, whose gateways had been broken by the Pramathas.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• pramathaiḥ: by the Pramathas (Śiva’s fierce attendants)

• samare: in battle

• bhinnāḥ: shattered, broken, routed

• traipurāḥ: the Tripura-demons, inhabitants of Tripura

• te: those

• sura-arayaḥ: enemies of the gods

• puram: into the city/fortress

• praviviśuḥ: entered, retreated

• bhītāḥ: frightened

• pramathaiḥ: by the Pramathas

• bhagna-gopuram: whose gate-towers/fort-gates were broken

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

• Suta
• Pramathas
• Tripura-demons (Traipura)
• Devas (Suras)

Tags

• Tripura
• Deva-Asura war
• Shaiva attendants
• Siege imagery
• Purana narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it depicts a wartime retreat in the Tripura episode, focusing on the rout of the asuras and the breach of the city gates.

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

Indirectly, it highlights a political-military theme: fortifications can be breached and fear can scatter an army—implying the need for disciplined defense, courageous leadership, and strategic preparedness in protecting a realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it mentions a fortified city with gopura-like gates (go-pura), emphasizing the strategic importance of gateways and gate-towers in ancient fort/city design—key terms often relevant to Matsya Purana’s broader interest in sacred and civic structures.