Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तो दानवेन्द्रस्तु तदाभाषत्स्मयञ्छनैः न चाबुध्यदभिज्ञानं प्रायस्त्रिपुरघातिनः //

Transliteration

ityukto dānavendrastu tadābhāṣatsmayañchanaiḥ na cābudhyadabhijñānaṃ prāyastripuraghātinaḥ //

Translation

Thus addressed, the lord of the Dānavas replied slowly, with a smile; yet he did not perceive the true recognition (or identity) of the slayer of Tripura, as is usually the case.

Word by Word

• iti-uktaḥ: thus spoken to/so addressed

• dānava-indraḥ: lord of the Dānavas (Daitya king)

• tu: indeed/but

• tadā: then

• abhāṣat: spoke/replied

• smayan: smiling

• śanaiḥ: slowly/softly

• na: not

• ca: and

• abudhyat: understood/perceived

• abhijñānam: recognition/clear identification (true knowledge of who someone is)

• prāyaḥ: generally/for the most part

• tripura-ghātinaḥ: of the slayer of Tripura (i.e., Śiva).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the Daitya king’s reaction within the Tripura-related narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Dānava
• Dānavendra (Daitya king)
• Tripuraghātin (Śiva as the slayer of Tripura)
• Tripura

Tags

• Tripura
• Shiva
• Devasura
• Maya
• Recognition

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it highlights delusion and failed recognition in a Devasura narrative centered on Śiva as Tripuraghātin.

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

It implicitly warns rulers against pride and misjudgment: the Daitya lord’s smiling, casual reply and failure to recognize the greater power (Śiva) foreshadows political and moral downfall caused by lack of discernment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural detail is not explicit in this verse, but the keyword “Tripura” connects to the famed ‘three cities’ motif often linked with fortified cities and their destruction—used in Purāṇas to frame ritualized victory of dharma over adharma.