Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

शनैश्चरं पुनश्चापि रश्मिराप्यायते सुराट् न क्षीयते यतस्तानि तस्मान्नक्षत्रता स्मृता //

Transliteration

śanaiścaraṃ punaścāpi raśmirāpyāyate surāṭ na kṣīyate yatastāni tasmānnakṣatratā smṛtā //

Translation

And again, O sovereign, even in the case of Śanaiścara (Saturn), its ray is replenished; since those luminaries are not diminished, therefore they are remembered as ‘nakṣatras’—imperishable star-lights.

Word by Word

• śanaiścaram: Śanaiścara (Saturn)

• punaḥ ca api: again, moreover

• raśmiḥ: ray, radiance

• āpyāyate: is replenished, becomes full again

• surāṭ: O king/sovereign

• na: not

• kṣīyate: is diminished, decays

• yataḥ: because, since

• tāni: those (luminaries)

• tasmāt: therefore

• nakṣatratā: the state/name of being nakṣatra (imperishable luminary)

• smṛtā: is said/remembered in tradition

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Śanaiścara (Saturn)
• Nakṣatra

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Nakshatra
• Graha
• Cosmology
• AstralRays

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains a cosmological principle that celestial bodies (including Saturn) do not ‘wear out’ because their radiance is continually replenished.

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

By addressing the king, it frames astral knowledge as part of royal and household prudence—supporting timekeeping, calendrical observances, and auspicious decision-making guided by nakṣatras and grahas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu rule is stated, but the idea of stable, non-diminishing luminaries underpins nakṣatra-based muhūrta selection used in temple rites, consecrations, and other ritual scheduling.