Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

शीतांशावुदिते चन्द्रे ज्योत्स्नापूर्णे पुरे ऽसुराः प्रदोषे ललितं चक्रुर् गृहमात्मानमेव च //

Transliteration

śītāṃśāvudite candre jyotsnāpūrṇe pure 'surāḥ pradoṣe lalitaṃ cakrur gṛhamātmānameva ca //

Translation

When the cool-rayed Moon had risen and the city was filled with moonlight, the Asuras, at twilight (pradoṣa), carried out their graceful revelry and then withdrew each to his own house.

Word by Word

śītāṃśauthe cool-rayed one (the Moon)

uditehaving risen

candrewhen the moon

jyotsnā-pūrṇefilled with moonlight

purein the city

asurāḥthe Asuras

pradoṣeat twilight/evening junction

lalitamsportive play/revelry/pleasure

cakruḥthey did/they performed

gṛhamto the house/home

ātmānam evaoneself alone/each one himself

caand/also

Speaker

Suta (narrator) recounting events within the Matsya Purana’s city/town-planning narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

Chandra (Moon)Asuras

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it describes a scene of twilight activity in a moonlit city, focusing on time (pradoṣa) and conduct rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By highlighting pradoṣa (the evening junction) and orderly return to one’s own home, it aligns with Purāṇic ideals of regulated daily conduct—implying that householders (and by extension a king’s governance) should maintain discipline, timing, and social order at day’s end.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key technical cue is pradoṣa as a liminal time used in ritual calendars; in a Vastuvidya context, it also reflects regulated urban/household rhythms—public activity at twilight followed by retreat into properly established homes within the planned city (pura).