Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Genealogy of the Śūra–Vasudeva

Devanagari script

प्रथमा या अमावास्या वार्षिकी तु भविष्यति तस्यां जज्ञे महाबाहुः पूर्वं कृष्णः प्रजापतिः //

Transliteration

prathamā yā amāvāsyā vārṣikī tu bhaviṣyati tasyāṃ jajñe mahābāhuḥ pūrvaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ prajāpatiḥ //

Translation

That new-moon day (amāvāsyā) which becomes the first annual observance—on that very occasion, in ancient times, the mighty-armed Prajāpati known as Kṛṣṇa was born.

Word by Word

• prathamā: the first

• yā: which

• amāvāsyā: new-moon day

• vārṣikī: annual (yearly)

• tu: indeed/and

• bhaviṣyati: will be/becomes

• tasyām: on that (day/occasion)

• jajñe: was born

• mahābāhuḥ: mighty-armed, powerful

• pūrvam: formerly, in ancient times

• kṛṣṇaḥ: Kṛṣṇa (the dark one

• prajāpatiḥ: Prajāpati (lord of progeny/creator figure).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Amavasya
• Prajapati
• Krishna

Tags

• Amavasya
• Tithi
• Ritual Calendar
• Cosmogony
• Prajapati

FAQs

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

It points to cosmogony through sacred time: a specific Amāvāsyā is linked with the birth of Prajāpati (a progenitor/creator figure), emphasizing creation emerging in ritually marked time rather than describing dissolution.

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

By identifying an annually significant Amāvāsyā, it supports dharma-based timekeeping: householders (and kings who regulate public rites) are to observe proper tithi timing for ancestral, purificatory, and calendrical rites aligned with scriptural authority.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is calendrical: this verse elevates a particular annual Amāvāsyā as especially sacred, implying heightened efficacy for Amāvāsyā observances (vrata/śrāddha-like rites), though it does not give Vāstu or temple-building rules directly.