Matsyapurana 129.1

129.1

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ
kathaṃ jagāma bhagavān purāritvaṃ maheśvaraḥ
dadāha ca kathaṃ devas tanno vistarato vada //

The Ṛiṣis said:—Tell us, O, Sûta! how in ancient days did Lord Śiva attain the name of Tripurāri and how did He reduce the fort Tripura to ashes. Pray, be pleased to tell us all about it in detail. How the fortified town of Tripura was built by the mysterious power of Maya, and how was it reduced to ashes by one arrow of Śiva. Pray, tell us how all this happened. We all ask you, reverently, again and again.—1-2.