Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Tripura’s Prosperity

Devanagari script

चतस्रः प्रमदास्तत्र त्रयो मर्त्या भयावहाः कोपानलादीप्तमुखाः प्रविष्टास् त्रिपुरार्दिनः //

Transliteration

catasraḥ pramadāstatra trayo martyā bhayāvahāḥ kopānalādīptamukhāḥ praviṣṭās tripurārdinaḥ //

Translation

There, four celestial maidens and three dreadful mortals appeared—terrifying in aspect—entering before Tripurārdin (Śiva, the destroyer of the three cities) with faces blazing like the fire of wrath.

Word by Word

• चतस्रः (catasraḥ): four

• प्रमदाः (pramadāḥ): maidens/women (often celestial attendants)

• तत्र (tatra): there

• त्रयः (trayaḥ): three

• मर्त्याः (martyāḥ): mortals/human beings

• भयावहाः (bhayāvahāḥ): fearsome, causing terror

• कोप (kopa): wrath

• अनल (anala): fire

• दीप्त (dīpta): blazing

• मुखाः (mukhāḥ): faces/mouthed (having faces)

• प्रविष्टाः (praviṣṭāḥ): entered, came in

• त्रिपुरार्दिनः (tripurārdinaḥ): Tripurārdin, Śiva as the destroyer of Tripura

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the episode (likely within a Śaiva mythic narration transmitted in Matsya Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Tripurārdin (Śiva)
• pramadāḥ (maidens)
• martyāḥ (mortals)

Tags

• Tripura
• Shiva
• Mythology
• Wrath
• Portents

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it depicts a fierce, localized theophany—wrathful, fear-inducing manifestations accompanying Tripurārdin (Śiva) in the Tripura episode.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces a Purāṇic ethical theme: uncontrolled wrath (kopa) is a destructive force, while divine wrath is portrayed as purposeful—aimed at removing adharma. Kings are repeatedly urged in Purāṇas to restrain personal anger and wield punishment only as dharma requires.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse itself is not a Vāstu/temple-rule injunction; however, by naming Tripurārdin it alludes to the Tripura myth, often used in ritual storytelling and Śiva worship contexts (e.g., commemorative recitations), rather than giving concrete Matsya Purāṇa Vāstu Śāstra tips.