Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 17

Devanagari script

सप्ताष्टदशभौमानि सत्कृतानि मयेन च बहुध्वजपताकानि स्रग्दामालंकृतानि च //

Transliteration

saptāṣṭadaśabhaumāni satkṛtāni mayena ca bahudhvajapatākāni sragdāmālaṃkṛtāni ca //

Translation

E eu mesmo mandei que fossem devidamente preparados: dezassete construções ao nível do solo (ou plataformas), dispostas com muitas bandeiras e pendões, e adornadas com grinaldas e festões.

Word by Word

• सप्ताष्टदश: seventeen

• भौमानि: ground-based structures/platforms (earth-level arrangements)

• सत्कृतानि: duly honored, properly prepared

• मया: by me

• एन च: also/indeed (emphatic connective)

• बहु: many

• ध्वज: flags/banners

• पताकानि: pennants/streamers

• स्रक्: garland

• दाम: festoon/garland-string

• अलंकृतानि: ornamented/adorned

• च: and

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (continuing instructional/narrative flow to Vaivasvata Manu in this thematic unit)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Decoration
• Temple Adornment
• Auspicious Signs
• Processional Setup

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious preparation and ornamentation of earthly arrangements (platforms/structures) using flags and garlands.

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

It reflects the duty to conduct public or sacred works with proper honor and auspicious presentation—maintaining order, cleanliness, and dignified decoration for rituals, festivals, or consecrations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights standard Puranic/Vastu-adjacent markers of sanctity and celebration—dhvaja-patākā (banners) and srag-dāma (garlands/festoons)—used to consecrate and visually designate prepared platforms or structures.