Shloka 5

सूर्यरथनिर्णयः (चन्द्रस्य पक्षवृद्धिक्षयविधानम्)

Devanagari script

देवैः पीतं क्षये सोमम् आप्याययति नित्यशः पीतं पञ्चदशाहं तु रश्मिनैकेन भास्करः

Transliteration

devaiḥ pītaṃ kṣaye somam āpyāyayati nityaśaḥ pītaṃ pañcadaśāhaṃ tu raśminaikena bhāskaraḥ

Translation

When Soma (the Moon) wanes—having been “drunk” by the Devas—Bhāskara (the Sun) ever nourishes him anew; for fifteen days the Sun, with a single ray, restores what has been consumed.

Word by Word

• देवैः: by the gods (Devas)

• पीतम्: drunk/consumed

• क्षये: in the waning/diminution

• सोमम्: Soma, the Moon

• आप्याययति: nourishes, makes grow, replenishes

• नित्यशः: continually, always

• पीतम्: drunk/consumed

• पञ्चदशाहम्: for fifteen days

• तु: indeed/but

• रश्मिना: by a ray

• एकेन: by one/single

• भास्करः: Bhāskara, the Sun

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmic order as taught in the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Soma (Chandra)
• Bhaskara (Surya)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It grounds Shiva-puja in cosmic rhythm: tithi-based observances (especially Somavara and lunar phases) mirror the regulated replenishment of Soma, encouraging devotees to align worship with kala (sacred time) under Pati’s order.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though Shiva is not named, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as Pati—the supreme regulator of kala and niyati—by which even Devas and luminaries function in an ordered cycle of depletion and renewal.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tithi-conscious vrata and sadhana: regulating practice across the bright and dark fortnights (śukla/kr̥ṣṇa pakṣa) supports steadiness of mind in Pashupata-oriented discipline, using lunar timing for japa, abhiṣeka, and vrata.