Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

नक्षत्रग्रहसोमानां प्रतिष्ठा योनिरेव च चन्द्र ऋक्षग्रहाः सर्वे विज्ञेयाः सूर्यसम्भवाः //

Transliteration

nakṣatragrahasomānāṃ pratiṣṭhā yonireva ca candra ṛkṣagrahāḥ sarve vijñeyāḥ sūryasambhavāḥ //

Translation

The Moon is both the support and the very womb (yoni, source) of the nakṣatras, the grahas, and Soma; yet all the lunar mansions and all the grahas are to be understood as originating from the Sun.

Word by Word

• नक्षत्र (nakṣatra): lunar mansion/star asterism

• ग्रह (graha): planet/seizer (celestial body)

• सोमानाम् (somānām): of Soma (the Moon / the Soma principle)

• प्रतिष्ठा (pratiṣṭhā): support, foundation, established basis

• योनि (yoni): womb, source, generative origin

• एव (eva): indeed

• च (ca): and

• चन्द्रः (candraḥ): the Moon

• ऋक्ष (ṛkṣa): asterism/nakṣatra (ṛkṣa as star-group)

• ग्रहाः (grahāḥ): planets

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• विज्ञेयाः (vijñeyāḥ): to be known/understood

• सूर्यसम्भवाः (sūrya-sambhavāḥ): born of/derived from the Sun.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, cosmological instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya
• Chandra
• Soma
• Nakshatras
• Grahas

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Astronomy
• Solar Origin
• Lunar Mansions

FAQs

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

It presents a creation-oriented cosmology: even where the Moon is treated as the immediate basis for nakṣatras and grahas, their deeper origin is traced back to the Sun—indicating an ordered emanation rather than pralaya.

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

By grounding celestial bodies in a coherent cosmic order (Sun-origin, Moon as regulator), it supports the Purāṇic idea that kings and householders should align rites, calendars, and auspicious timings (nakṣatra/graha considerations) with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underpins nakṣatra and graha-based muhūrta selection for yajñas, consecrations, and installations; the verse’s emphasis on Sun/Moon hierarchy supports solar-lunar calculations used in temple and domestic ritual scheduling.