Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Indra Sends Soma to Battle: Frost-Weapon

Devanagari script

लोकच्छायामयं लक्ष्म तवाङ्कः शशसंनिभः न विदुः सोम देवापि ये च नक्षत्रयोनयः //

Transliteration

lokacchāyāmayaṃ lakṣma tavāṅkaḥ śaśasaṃnibhaḥ na viduḥ soma devāpi ye ca nakṣatrayonayaḥ //

Translation

This mark is formed of the world’s shadow; the emblem upon you is like a hare. Even Soma and the gods—indeed, those born of the lunar mansions (the Nakṣatras)—do not fully know it.

Word by Word

• loka: the world

• chāyā: shadow

• mayam: made of/consisting of

• lakṣma: mark, sign, emblem

• tava: your

• aṅkaḥ: mark, stamp, emblem (also ‘lap/bosom’ in other contexts)

• śaśa: hare

• saṃnibhaḥ: resembling, comparable to

• na: not

• viduḥ: they know (perfect/plural sense: ‘have known’)

• soma: Soma, the Moon

• devāḥ api: even the gods

• ye ca: and those who

• nakṣatra: lunar mansion, constellation

• yonayaḥ: sources/origins, those born from (lineages).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) conveying a teaching on lunar iconography/astral sign (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s cosmological discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Nakṣatras

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Cosmology
• Moon
• Omens
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames cosmic phenomena as governed by deeper laws: even gods do not fully fathom certain celestial marks, implying the universe’s workings exceed ordinary divine and human knowledge—an outlook consistent with Purāṇic cosmology that also underlies Pralaya narratives.

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

It supports a dharmic attitude of epistemic humility: rulers and householders should heed traditional astronomical/omenic knowledge (Jyotiṣa) for timing and decision-making, while recognizing that some cosmic signs remain ultimately mysterious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but the verse reinforces the ritual importance of lunar symbolism (Soma/Nakṣatra): such astral markers guide calendrical observances, fasts, and nakṣatra-based muhurta selection used in temple rites and consecrations.