Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

अथ चारुपताकभूषितं पटहाडम्बरशङ्खनादितम् / त्रिपुरमभिसमीक्ष्य देवता विविधबला ननदुर्यथा घनाः //

Transliteration

atha cārupatākabhūṣitaṃ paṭahāḍambaraśaṅkhanāditam / tripuramabhisamīkṣya devatā vividhabalā nanaduryathā ghanāḥ //

Translation

Then, beholding Tripura—adorned with lovely banners and resounding with the din of kettledrums and the blare of conches—the gods, possessed of diverse powers, roared aloud like thundering clouds.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• cāru-patākā-bhūṣitam: adorned with beautiful flags/banners

• paṭaha-āḍambara: tumult of kettledrums

• śaṅkha-nāditam: sounded by conches / resonant with conch-blasts

• tripuram: Tripura (the triple city/fortress)

• abhisamīkṣya: having looked upon / after observing

• devatāḥ: the gods

• vividhabalāḥ: of varied strengths/powers

• nanaduḥ: roared, thundered, cried out loudly

• yathā: like

• ghanāḥ: clouds

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the scene within the Tripura narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura
• Devatāḥ (the gods)
• Śaṅkha (conch)
• Paṭaha (kettledrum)

Tags

• Tripura
• Deva forces
• War-sounds
• Puranic battle imagery
• Ritual instruments

FAQs

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

This verse does not teach Pralaya directly; it uses a cosmic simile—gods roaring “like clouds”—to convey overwhelming, storm-like power in a war setting.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of organized, disciplined mobilization (signals, banners, instruments) before confronting adharma—an image later echoed in rājadharma discussions on preparedness and public order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights ritual/ceremonial sound-markers—conches and kettledrums—used for proclamation and mobilization, and describes a fortified “Tripura” visually marked by banners, a common Purāṇic sign of royal/war architecture and procession.