Shloka 55
त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”
आज्ञां ददौ मयस्यापि कुत्र त्वं नगरत्रयम् । कांचनं राजतं चैव आयसं चेति भो मय
ājñāṃ dadau mayasyāpi kutra tvaṃ nagaratrayam | kāṃcanaṃ rājataṃ caiva āyasaṃ ceti bho maya
He also issued a command to Maya: “O Maya, where are you to fashion the three cities—one of gold, one of silver, and one of iron?”
A demon-king (Tripura narrative—command given to Maya, the architect of the Asuras)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
FAQs
Tripura symbolizes the fortified ego and bondage (pāśa) built by asuric intelligence; even brilliant construction and prosperity (gold, silver) become obstacles when they serve pride rather than surrender to Pati (Śiva).
The narrative sets up Śiva’s role as Saguna Lord who intervenes in history to dissolve adharmic power; devotion to the Liṅga remembers Śiva as the supreme Pati who alone can burn the ‘three cities’ of bondage and grant liberation.
A practical takeaway is to pair Tripura remembrance with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and inwardly offer the three ‘cities’ (body, speech, mind) into Śiva through daily meditation and vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra as a sign of surrender.