Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 2

Devanagari script

प्राकारो ऽनेन मार्गेण इह वामुत्र गोपुरम् इह चाट्टालकद्वारम् इह चाट्टालगोपुरम् //

Transliteration

prākāro 'nena mārgeṇa iha vāmutra gopuram iha cāṭṭālakadvāram iha cāṭṭālagopuram //

Translation

Le long de cet itinéraire prescrit se trouve l’enceinte; ici et là s’élèvent des gopuras, tours-portes. Ici se tient une porte munie d’une superstructure de type cāṭṭālaka (cāṭṭālaka-dvāra), et là une tour-porte pourvue d’un tel pavillon supérieur (cāṭṭālaka-gopura).

Word by Word

• prākāraḥ: rampart, enclosure wall

• anena: by this, in this manner

• mārgeṇa: by the path/route, according to the layout

• iha: here

• vā: or

• amutra: there, yonder

• gopuram: gateway-tower, monumental gatehouse

• ca: and

• cāṭṭālaka-dvāram: a gate (dvāra) with a cāṭṭālaka (upper pavilion/attic-like chamber)

• cāṭṭālaka-gopuram: a gopura provided with a cāṭṭālaka superstructure

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Prākāra
• Gopura
• Cāṭṭālaka

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Town Planning
• Fortification
• Temple Architecture
• Gateways

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it belongs to the Vastuvidya material describing built-space organization—walls and gateways—used for settlements, forts, or temple precincts.

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

For a king, it supports rajadharma through secure and well-ordered urban/fort layouts—proper ramparts and controlled gateways aid protection, administration, and auspicious civic planning; for householders, it reflects the broader Vastu principle of orderly thresholds and regulated access.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies key architectural elements of a precinct—prākāra (enclosure wall), dvāra (gate), and gopura (gateway-tower)—including cāṭṭālaka superstructures, indicating hierarchical, monumental entrances typical of Puranic temple and fortified-town design.