Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 57

त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”

Devanagari script

ततो मयश्च तपसा चक्रे धीरः पुराण्यथ । कांचनं तारकाक्षस्य कमलाक्षस्य राजतम्

Transliteration

tato mayaśca tapasā cakre dhīraḥ purāṇyatha | kāṃcanaṃ tārakākṣasya kamalākṣasya rājatam

Translation

Ensuite, Māyā, ferme et habile, façonna par la puissance de son tapas (austérité) les cités fortifiées : l’une d’or pour Tārakākṣa, et l’autre d’argent pour Kamalākṣa.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Deśa-kāla (देश-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण), indeclinable: then/from there

• मयः: Maya (the architect)
• मयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय), indeclinable

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• चक्रे: made/constructed
• चक्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect; 3rd person, Singular; ātmanepada

• धीरः: steadfast/wise
• धीरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjective qualifying मयः

• पुराणि: cities/fortresses
• पुराणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), indeclinable: then/now

• काञ्चनम्: golden
• काञ्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective to (implicit) पुरम्

• तारकाक्षस्य: of Tārakākṣa
• तारकाक्षस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारक + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) proper name ‘Tārakākṣa’ (one whose eyes are like stars/related to Tāraka); Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• कमलाक्षस्य: of Kamalākṣa
• कमलाक्षस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमल + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) proper name ‘Kamalākṣa’ (lotus-eyed); Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• राजतम्: silver
• राजतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective to (implicit) पुरम्

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka

Characters & Entities

• Maya
• Tārakākṣa
• Kamalākṣa

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It shows that tapas can generate immense worldly power and splendor (golden and silver citadels), yet such achievements remain within māyā and do not grant liberation unless aligned with devotion to Pati (Śiva) and right knowledge.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Tripura episode culminates in Śiva’s Saguna manifestation as Tripurāntaka, who subdues demonic pride. Remembering this līlā in Linga-worship reinforces that Śiva alone is the sovereign Lord who dissolves the bondage created by ego and misused power.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to pair austerity with Śiva-bhakti—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and Linga-abhiṣeka—so spiritual effort leads toward purification rather than mere acquisition of power.