Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58
त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”
विद्युन्माल्यायसं चैव त्रिविधं दुर्गमुत्तमम् । स्वर्गे व्योम्नि च भूमौ च क्रमाज्ज्ञेयानि तानि वै
vidyunmālyāyasaṃ caiva trividhaṃ durgamuttamam | svarge vyomni ca bhūmau ca kramājjñeyāni tāni vai
Cette forteresse suprême et redoutable est, en vérité, de trois sortes : Vidyunmālī, Mālī et Ayasa. Il faut comprendre, dans cet ordre, qu’elles se trouvent au ciel, dans l’espace et sur la terre.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
FAQs
It introduces the threefold “fortress” of Tripura—symbolically the layered domains where bondage (pāśa) can operate. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Shiva as Pati alone can dissolve these coverings and grant liberation, showing that no realm—heaven, mid-space, or earth—lies beyond His lordship.
By describing Shiva’s role as the conqueror of the three cities, it points to Saguna Shiva (Tripurāri) who acts in time for the protection of dharma. Linga-worship honors that same Supreme Lord who is beyond form yet manifests powerfully to remove obstacles and the triple bonds.
A practical takeaway is to meditate on Shiva as Tripurāri while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating the removal of the threefold impurities (mala). Offering bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and steady japa aligns the devotee with Shiva’s purifying power.