Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Description of Gomedaka and Puṣkara Dvīpas; the Lokāloka Boundary; Ocean Tide...

Devanagari script

अन्यूनानतिरिक्तात्मा वर्धन्त्यापो ह्रसन्ति च उदये ऽस्तमये चेन्दोः पक्षयोः शुक्लकृष्णयोः //

Transliteration

anyūnānatiriktātmā vardhantyāpo hrasanti ca udaye 'stamaye cendoḥ pakṣayoḥ śuklakṛṣṇayoḥ //

Translation

Neither deficient nor excessive in its own nature, the waters increase and also diminish according to the Moon’s rising and setting, through the bright and dark fortnights.

Word by Word

• anyūna: not deficient

• an-atirikta-ātmā: not excessive in its own nature / of balanced constitution

• vardhanti: increase, grow

• āpaḥ: waters

• hrasanti: diminish, decrease

• ca: and

• udaye: at the rising

• astamaye: at the setting

• ca: and

• indoḥ (cendoḥ): of the moon

• pakṣayoḥ: in the two fortnights

• śukla: bright (waxing)

• kṛṣṇa: dark (waning).

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Indu (Moon)
• Āpaḥ (Waters)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Tithis
• Lunar cycle
• Ritual timing
• Pralaya themes

FAQs

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

It frames nature as governed by orderly periodic cycles: even the waters rise and fall in step with lunar phases, implying cosmic regulation rather than randomness—an idea that underlies Purāṇic views of larger cycles like pralaya.

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

It supports choosing proper ritual times (śukla/kṛṣṇa pakṣa) for vows, offerings, and observances; a king or householder is expected to align dharmic acts with calendrical and cosmic rhythms taught in Purāṇic tradition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes pakṣa-based timing (waxing/waning) relevant to vratas, śrāddha, and temple worship calendars; architecturally it is indirect, but such calendrical rules often guide temple consecrations and festival scheduling.