Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets

Devanagari script

पर्जन्यो दिग्गजाश्चैव हेमन्ते शीतसम्भवम् तुषारवर्षं वर्षन्ति वृद्धा ह्यन्नविवृद्धये //

Transliteration

parjanyo diggajāścaiva hemante śītasambhavam tuṣāravarṣaṃ varṣanti vṛddhā hyannavivṛddhaye //

Translation

In the season of Hemanta (early winter), Parjanya and the elephants of the quarters, having grown strong, send down showers of frost (tuṣāra) born of cold, so that the growth and abundance of grain may increase.

Word by Word

• पर्जन्यः (parjanyaḥ): Parjanya, the rain/dew-bearing deity

• दिग्गजाः (diggajāḥ): the directional elephants (guardians of the quarters)

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• हेमन्ते (hemante): in Hemanta, early winter

• शीतसम्भवम् (śītasambhavam): produced from cold

• तुषारवर्षम् (tuṣāravarṣam): a fall/shower of frost or dew

• वर्षन्ति (varṣanti): they rain, they cause to fall

• वृद्धाः (vṛddhāḥ): grown strong, increased (in power)

• हि (hi): indeed

• अन्नविवृद्धये (anna-vivṛddhaye): for the increase/abundance of food-grain.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching context; seasonal description within the discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Parjanya
• Diggajas (Directional Elephants)
• Hemanta (season)
• Tuṣāra (frost/dew)

Tags

• Seasons
• Agriculture
• Prosperity
• Ritual Calendar
• Cosmic Guardians

FAQs

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

It does not address Pralaya directly; it explains a cosmic-ecological function in ordinary time—how cold-season moisture (tuṣāra) is providential for sustaining and increasing grain.

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

By linking seasonal phenomena to food abundance, it supports the householder’s and king’s duty to follow the ritual-agricultural calendar—protecting cultivation, storing grain, and performing season-appropriate rites that uphold prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily calendrical and agrarian; ritually, it implies timing observances in Hemanta when dew/frost supports crops—useful for planning seasonal rites and temple/household offerings tied to harvest and food-security.