Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

राजमार्ग इतश्चापि विपुलो भवतामिति रथ्योपरथ्याः सत्त्रिका इह चत्वर एव च //

Transliteration

rājamārga itaścāpi vipulo bhavatāmiti rathyoparathyāḥ sattrikā iha catvara eva ca //

Translation

«Que la grande voie royale, ici aussi, soit rendue vaste.» De même, qu’il y ait des rues et des ruelles, des maisons d’hospitalité charitable (sattras) et, ici encore, des places publiques (catvaras).

Word by Word

• rājamārgaḥ: royal highway, main road

• itaś ca api: here also, and further

• vipulaḥ: broad, spacious

• bhavatām: let it be (for you), may it become

• iti: thus (as an injunction)

• rathyāḥ: streets/roadways

• uparathyāḥ: by-lanes, subsidiary streets

• sattrikāḥ: places connected with sattra—charitable feeding/rest houses, public shelters

• iha: here, in this town/settlement

• catvarāḥ: squares, crossways, open public junctions

• eva ca: and indeed/also.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on settlement planning)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• rājamārga
• rathyā
• catvara
• sattra

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Town planning
• Roads
• Public works
• Civic design

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on post-settlement civic order—how an inhabited town should be structured with broad main roads, lanes, public squares, and charitable facilities.

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

It frames a king’s duty as ensuring orderly infrastructure—wide royal roads, connected streets, and public amenities—supporting commerce, safety, and welfare, including charity through sattras (public feeding/rest shelters).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it prescribes a planned urban grid: a prominent rājamārga (main axis), secondary streets (rathyā/uparathyā), catvaras (public squares/junctions), and sattras as welfare institutions integrated into the built environment.