Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Tripura’s Prosperity

Devanagari script

स्वङ्गाश्चन्दनदिग्धाङ्गां मातंगाः समदा इव मृष्टाभरणवस्त्राश्च मृष्टस्रगनुलेपनाः //

Transliteration

svaṅgāścandanadigdhāṅgāṃ mātaṃgāḥ samadā iva mṛṣṭābharaṇavastrāśca mṛṣṭasraganulepanāḥ //

Translation

Elephants, their bodies anointed with sandalwood paste, appeared as though in rut; they were elegantly arrayed with polished ornaments and garments, adorned with fine garlands and fragrant unguents.

Word by Word

• स्वङ्गाः: with their own bodies/well-formed bodies

• चन्दन-दिग्ध-अङ्गाः: limbs smeared/anointed with sandalwood

• मातङ्गाः: elephants

• स-मदाः: in rut/with musth

• इव: as if/like

• मृष्ट: polished, refined, splendid

• आभरण: ornaments

• वस्त्राः: garments/cloths

• च: and

• मृष्ट-स्रक्: fine garlands

• अनुलेपनाः: unguents/perfumed ointments

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial description within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Mātaṅga (elephants)
• Candana (sandalwood)

Tags

• Nagara-śobhā
• Royal procession
• Auspicious omens
• Vastu context
• Ritual adornment

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious, worldly splendour—ceremonial elephants and refined adornment—typical of city/royal descriptions rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reflects the royal duty of maintaining prosperity, public ceremony, and auspicious order—showing disciplined, well-kept animals and refined presentation, which in Purāṇic ethics signals good governance and social well-being.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights auspicious anointing (candana) and ceremonial decoration (garlands, unguents) used in processions and festivals—elements often integrated into Vastu-informed city and temple-town celebrations.