Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Eclipse-Time Planetary Bath

Devanagari script

अधिकाः पद्मरागाः स्युः कपिलां च सुशोभनाम् प्रयच्छेच्च निशां पत्ये चन्द्रसूर्योपरागयोः //

Transliteration

adhikāḥ padmarāgāḥ syuḥ kapilāṃ ca suśobhanām prayacchecca niśāṃ patye candrasūryoparāgayoḥ //

Translation

Let there be abundant padmarāgas (rubies), and one should also gift a beautiful tawny cow. These offerings should be presented to the Lord of the Night (the Moon), especially at the times of lunar and solar eclipses.

Word by Word

• अधिकाः (adhikāḥ): abundant, in greater quantity

• पद्मरागाः (padmarāgāḥ): rubies/red gems

• स्युः (syuḥ): should be/let there be

• कपिलाम् (kapilām): a tawny cow

• च (ca): and

• सुशोभनाम् (suśobhanām): beautiful, well-adorned

• प्रयच्छेत् (prayacchet): should give/offer as a gift

• च (ca): and

• निशां पत्ये (niśāṃ patye): to the lord of the night (the Moon)

• चन्द्रसूर्योपरागयोः (candra-sūrya-uparāgayoḥ): during the lunar and solar eclipses

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (Dāna-dharma context)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)

Tags

• Dāna
• Gifts
• Eclipse rituals
• Chandra
• Surya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dāna-dharma—auspicious charitable gifts recommended during eclipses (grahaṇa).

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

It frames eclipse-times as high-merit occasions when householders (and rulers) should perform charity—specifically gifting valuable items like rubies and a fine tawny cow—aligning wealth with dharmic redistribution.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is grahaṇa-dāna: prescribing specific gifts to be offered with devotion during lunar/solar eclipses, especially directed to the Moon as 'lord of the night.'