Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

हेमन्ते शिशिरे चैव हिमोत्सर्गस् त्रिभिः पुनः ओषधीषु बलं धत्ते सुधां च स्वधया पुनः //

Transliteration

hemante śiśire caiva himotsargas tribhiḥ punaḥ oṣadhīṣu balaṃ dhatte sudhāṃ ca svadhayā punaḥ //

Translation

In Hemanta and Śiśira (the cold seasons), the repeated fall and release of frost—again and again in threefold ways—restores strength to medicinal plants, and once more, by their own innate nourishment, they become filled with sap like nectar.

Word by Word

• hemante: in Hemanta (early winter)

• śiśire: in Śiśira (late winter)

• ca eva: and indeed

• hima-utsargaḥ: the discharge/fall (and melting) of frost/snow

• tribhiḥ: by three (in threefold manner / thrice)

• punaḥ punaḥ: repeatedly, again and again

• oṣadhīṣu: in herbs/medicinal plants

• balam: strength, potency

• dhatte: places, bestows, establishes

• sudhām: nectar, ambrosial sap

• ca: and

• svadhayā: by their own sustenance/innate nourishment (self-derived vitality)

• punaḥ: again

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on seasonal order and natural potency)

Entities Mentioned

• Hemanta
• Śiśira
• Oṣadhis (medicinal herbs)

Tags

• Ritucarya
• Seasons
• Herbal potency
• Natural order
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes ṛtu-cakra (seasonal order) and how winter conditions intensify the potency (bala) and nectar-like sap (sudhā) in herbs.

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

It supports practical dharma through ritucarya: a householder (and a king overseeing public welfare) should align diet, medicine, and resource use with seasons, recognizing that winter strengthens medicinal plants and thus affects health and provisioning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; indirectly, it underlines choosing seasonally appropriate materials (herbs, offerings, medicines) when planning rites or household regimens.