Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Uma’s Austerities and the Slaying of the Deceiver Asura ĀḌi

Devanagari script

आजगामामररिपुः पुरं त्रिपुरघातिनः स तत्रागत्य ददृशे वीरकं द्वार्यवस्थितम् //

Transliteration

ājagāmāmararipuḥ puraṃ tripuraghātinaḥ sa tatrāgatya dadṛśe vīrakaṃ dvāryavasthitam //

Translation

The foe of the gods came to the city of the slayer of Tripura; arriving there, he saw Vīraka stationed at the gate.

Word by Word

• आजगाम (ājagāma): came/approached

• अमररिपुः (amararipuḥ): enemy of the immortals (gods), an Asura

• पुरम् (puram): city/fortified town

• त्रिपुरघातिनः (tripuraghātinaḥ): of the slayer of Tripura (Śiva)

• स (sa): he

• तत्र (tatra): there

• आगत्य (āgatya): having arrived

• ददृशे (dadṛśe): saw

• वीरकम् (vīrakam): Vīraka (a warrior/guardian, proper name)

• द्वारि (dvāri): at the gate

• अवस्थितम् (avasthitam): stationed/standing in place.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the episode in third-person narration

Entities Mentioned

• Amararipu (Asura, enemy of the Devas)
• Tripuraghātin (Śiva, slayer of Tripura)
• Vīraka (gate-guardian/warrior)

Tags

• Deva-Asura conflict
• Tripura episode
• City-gate
• Guardianship
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a narrative moment describing an Asura approaching a city and finding a guardian at the gate, not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) teaching.

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

Indirectly, it highlights the dharma of protection: a properly guarded gate and a vigilant guardian (like Vīraka) reflect the king’s duty to secure cities and maintain order against hostile forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, the verse foregrounds the city gate (dvāra) as a defended threshold—supporting the broader Purāṇic emphasis on fortifications, gateways, and appointed guardians as key features of protected settlements.