Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 23

Devanagari script

एकैकस्मिन्पुरे तस्मिन् गोपुराणां शतं शतम् सपताकाध्वजवतां दृश्यन्ते गिरिशृङ्गवत् //

Transliteration

ekaikasminpure tasmin gopurāṇāṃ śataṃ śatam sapatākādhvajavatāṃ dṛśyante giriśṛṅgavat //

Translation

Dans chaque cité se dressaient des centaines et des centaines de tours‑portes (gopura), ornées de fanions et d’étendards, semblables à des sommets de montagne.

Word by Word

• एकैकस्मिन् (ekaikasmin): in each single (one by one)

• पुरे (pure): in the city

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that

• गोपुराणाम् (gopurāṇām): of gopuras, gateway-towers

• शतम् शतम् (śataṃ śatam): hundreds and hundreds

• सपताकाध्वजवताम् (sapatākādhvajavatām): possessing pennants (patākā) and flags/banners (dhvaja)

• दृश्यन्ते (dṛśyante): are seen, appear

• गिरिशृङ्गवत् (giriśṛṅgavat): like mountain-peaks.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (Vāstu/nagara description context)

Entities Mentioned

• Gopura
• Patākā
• Dhvaja

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Nagara Vastu
• Temple Architecture
• Fortifications
• Urban Planning

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on the visible grandeur of a well-planned city, emphasizing monumental gateways rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It aligns with royal duty (rājadharma) to build and maintain prosperous, secure, and dignified cities—marked by strong gateways and public symbols (flags/banners) that signify order, protection, and civic prestige.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights numerous gopuras (gateway-towers) as key urban/temple thresholds; ritually and symbolically, dhvajas and patākās mark auspiciousness, authority, and celebration at prominent entrances.