Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Tripura’s Prosperity

Devanagari script

तद्वद्बलिभिरध्यस्तं तत्पुरं देवतारिभिः त्रिपुरं संकुलं जातं दैत्यकोटिशताकुलम् //

Transliteration

tadvadbalibhiradhyastaṃ tatpuraṃ devatāribhiḥ tripuraṃ saṃkulaṃ jātaṃ daityakoṭiśatākulam //

Translation

Likewise, that city was occupied by the mighty Daityas, the enemies of the gods; Tripura became densely crowded—teeming with hundreds of crores of Daityas.

Word by Word

• तद्वद (tadvat): likewise, in the same manner

• बलिभिः (balibhiḥ): by the powerful, by the mighty ones

• अध्यस्तम् (adhyastam): occupied, seized, taken possession of

• तत्पुरम् (tat-puram): that city

• देवतारिभिः (devatāribhiḥ): by the enemies of the gods (lit. ‘foes of the devas’)

• त्रिपुरम् (tripuram): Tripura, the three (aerial/fortified) cities

• संकुलम् (saṃkulam): crowded, densely packed, congested

• जातम् (jātam): became, came to be

• दैत्य (daitya): Daityas, demonic/titanic beings

• कोटि (koṭi): crore (ten million), an immense number

• शत (śata): hundred

• आकुलम् (ākulam): filled with, swarming with, agitated by multitudes

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) continuing the Matsya Purana’s account (within the broader dialogue framework of Matsya–Manu traditions)

Entities Mentioned

• Tripura
• Daityas
• Devas (implied via 'devatāri')

Tags

• Tripura
• Daityas
• Deva-Asura conflict
• Puranic warfare
• Mythic cities

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it depicts the militarized occupation and overcrowding of Tripura by Daityas, setting the stage for conflict rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it functions as a political-ethical warning: when a fortified city is seized by hostile powers and becomes overrun by violent forces, order (dharma) collapses—implying the king’s duty to protect cities, maintain security, and prevent destabilizing concentrations of armed factions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it emphasizes the idea of a ‘pura’ (fortified city) becoming ‘saṃkula’ (congested), a practical marker of siege-like conditions; ritually, no specific rite is stated, but the verse supports the broader Tripura theme often linked to divine intervention and martial rites in later narrative context.