Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’

Devanagari script

तस्मान्नक्तं पुनः शुक्ला ह्य् आपो दृश्यन्ति भासुराः एतेन क्रमयोगेण भूम्यर्धे दक्षिणोत्तरे //

Transliteration

tasmānnaktaṃ punaḥ śuklā hy āpo dṛśyanti bhāsurāḥ etena kramayogeṇa bhūmyardhe dakṣiṇottare //

Translation

Therefore, again at night the waters appear bright, white, and shining. By this ordered sequence, the southern and northern halves of the earth are to be understood as arranged accordingly.

Word by Word

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore/from that reason

• नक्तम् (naktam): at night

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• शुक्लाः (śuklāḥ): white/bright

• हि (hi): indeed

• आपः (āpaḥ): the waters

• दृश्यन्ति (dṛśyanti): are seen/appear

• भासुराः (bhāsurāḥ): luminous, shining

• एतेन (etena): by this

• क्रम-योगेण (krama-yogeṇa): by the method of orderly sequence/stepwise arrangement

• भूम्यर्धे (bhūmy-ardhe): in the half of the earth/earth’s hemisphere

• दक्षिण-उत्तरे (dakṣiṇa-uttare): in the southern and northern (parts).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Waters (Āpaḥ)
• Earth (Bhūmi)
• South (Dakṣiṇa)
• North (Uttara)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Directional order
• Vastuvidya
• Jyotisha
• Earth divisions

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it focuses on a cosmographic observation—waters appearing luminous at night—and uses it to explain an ordered arrangement of the earth’s northern and southern halves.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and household order by emphasizing krama (proper sequence) and correct directional understanding—principles used in planning settlements, rites, and regulated living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse reinforces directional logic (dakṣiṇa/uttara) and ordered sequencing (krama-yoga), foundational for Vastu-based layout decisions and for orienting ritual spaces according to cosmographic principles.