Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

विहितपरबलाभिघातभूतं व्रज जलधेस्तु यतः पुराणि तस्थुः स रथवरगतो भवः समर्थो ह्य् उदधिमगात्त्रिपुरं पुनर्निहन्तुम् //

Transliteration

vihitaparabalābhighātabhūtaṃ vraja jaladhestu yataḥ purāṇi tasthuḥ sa rathavaragato bhavaḥ samartho hy udadhimagāttripuraṃ punarnihantum //

Translation

Appointed as the instrument to strike down the enemy host, Bhava (Śiva), mounted upon the excellent chariot, went to the ocean—where the ancient cities had stood—in order once again to destroy Tripura.

Word by Word

• vihita: appointed/ordained

• para-bala: the enemy’s forces

• abhighāta: smiting/assault

• bhūtaṁ: having become/being (the instrument)

• vraja: go

• jaladheḥ: of the ocean

• tu: indeed/and

• yataḥ: where/from which

• purāṇi: ancient/old (things, cities)

• tasthuḥ: stood/were situated

• saḥ: he

• ratha-vara-gataḥ: mounted on the excellent chariot

• bhavaḥ: Bhava (Śiva)

• samarthaḥ: capable/mighty

• hi: indeed

• udadhim: to the ocean

• agāt: went

• tripuram: Tripura (the triple city/fortress)

• punaḥ: again

• nihantum: to slay/destroy.

Speaker

• Sūta (Paurāṇika narrator) describing the episode; framed within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue tradition

Entities Mentioned

• Bhava (Shiva)
• Tripura
• Ocean (Jaladhi/Udadhi)

Tags

• Tripura-daha
• Shaiva mythology
• Divine chariot
• Cosmic battle
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it evokes a mythic landscape (“where the ancient [cities] stood” by the ocean), emphasizing cyclical destruction and re-destruction of hostile strongholds like Tripura.

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

By portraying Śiva as the ordained agent who destroys a threatening power, the verse supports a dharmic theme: legitimate force is used under rightful purpose (vihita)—a model for rulers to act decisively against adharma when duly tasked.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, “Tripura” signifies a fortified, constructed stronghold (a ‘triple city’). The focus is not on Vāstu rules, but on the fate of even mighty built structures when aligned with adharma—useful context for Matsya Purana temple/fort symbolism rather than technical Vāstu procedure.