Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

द्विगुणः सूर्यविस्ताराद् विस्तारः शशिनः स्मृतः त्रिगुणं मण्डलं चास्य वैपुल्याच्छशिनः स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

dviguṇaḥ sūryavistārād vistāraḥ śaśinaḥ smṛtaḥ triguṇaṃ maṇḍalaṃ cāsya vaipulyācchaśinaḥ smṛtam //

Translation

The Moon’s breadth is said to be twice the Sun’s breadth; and the Moon’s disc (maṇḍala) is remembered as threefold in extent, owing to the Moon’s greater spread.

Word by Word

• dviguṇaḥ: twofold, twice

• sūrya-vistārāt: than/from the Sun’s breadth/extent

• vistāraḥ: breadth, expansion, diameter

• śaśinaḥ: of the Moon

• smṛtaḥ: is taught/remembered as

• triguṇam: threefold

• maṇḍalam: disc, orb, circular sphere

• ca: and

• asya: of it (the Moon)

• vaipulyāt: due to greater breadth/expansiveness

• cha: and/from

• śaśinaḥ: of the Moon

• smṛtam: is stated/recorded.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Shashi/Chandra (Moon)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Jyotisha
• Puranic measurements
• Sun and Moon

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmological measurement, describing comparative dimensions of the Sun and Moon as part of the Purana’s world-model.

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

Indirectly, it supports calendrical and time-reckoning knowledge (Moon/Sun measures) that underlies royal administration and household ritual timing, though the verse itself is purely descriptive.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, Sun–Moon measures inform traditional luni-solar timekeeping used for selecting tithis and festival timings; there is no direct Vastu or temple-construction rule stated in this shloka.