Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

सागरे जलगम्भीर उत्पपात पुरं वरम् अवतस्थुः पुराण्येव गोपुराभरणानि च //

Transliteration

sāgare jalagambhīra utpapāta puraṃ varam avatasthuḥ purāṇyeva gopurābharaṇāni ca //

Translation

In the sea, deep with waters, a splendid city suddenly rose up; and there appeared, as though from ancient times, its gateway-towers and other adornments as well.

Word by Word

• sāgare: in the sea

• jala-gambhīre: deep with water (profound, water-filled)

• utpapāta: sprang up, suddenly arose

• puram: city

• varam: excellent, splendid

• avatasthuḥ: stood forth, came to be present/established

• purāṇi iva (purāṇy eva): as if ancient/long-established indeed

• gopura-ābharaṇāni: gateway-tower ornaments/adornments

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya–Manu narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Sāgara (the sea)
• Pura (city)
• Gopura (gateway-tower)

Tags

• Vastu
• Urban-Mythic Imagery
• Temple Architecture
• City Gates
• Puranic Descriptions

FAQs

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

It uses an oceanic setting and sudden emergence imagery—suggesting re-manifestation after concealment—rather than describing destruction directly.

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

By foregrounding a well-adorned, established city with prominent gateways, it aligns with royal duties of founding, protecting, and beautifying urban spaces as part of righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit mention of gopura-ābharaṇa (gateway-tower adornments) highlights the importance of gateways and their ornamentation in Puranic-Vastu conceptions of sacred/royal city design.