Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

चन्द्रो ऽथ कुन्दकुसुमाकरहारवर्णो ज्योत्स्नावितानरहितो ऽभ्रसमानवर्णः विछायतां हि समुपेत्य न भाति तद्वद् भाग्यक्षये धनपतिश्च नरो विवर्णः //

Transliteration

candro 'tha kundakusumākarahāravarṇo jyotsnāvitānarahito 'bhrasamānavarṇaḥ vichāyatāṃ hi samupetya na bhāti tadvad bhāgyakṣaye dhanapatiśca naro vivarṇaḥ //

Translation

Even the moon—white as a garland of jasmine blossoms—when deprived of the canopy of its moonlight, takes on the color of clouds and does not shine, fallen into dullness. In the same way, when good fortune is exhausted, even a wealthy man, a lord of riches, becomes pale and lusterless.

Word by Word

• candraḥ: the moon

• atha: indeed/then

• kunda-kusuma: jasmine-like blossoms

• ākara: a mine/abundance (source, mass)

• hāra-varṇaḥ: having the color of a garland (very white)

• jyotsnā: moonlight

• vitāna: canopy/expanse

• rahitaḥ: devoid of

• abhra: cloud

• samāna-varṇaḥ: of similar color

• vicchāyatām: dullness/paleness, loss of radiance

• hi: indeed

• samupetya: having attained/entered

• na bhāti: does not shine

• tadvat: likewise

• bhāgya-kṣaye: when fortune is diminished/exhausted

• dhanapatiḥ: lord of wealth, rich man

• ca: and/even

• naraḥ: man

• vivarṇaḥ: discolored, pale, without splendor.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the teaching; framed as instruction consistent with Matsya–Manu ethical discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Candra (Moon)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Nīti
• Fortune
• Prosperity
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it uses a natural image (the moon losing radiance) to teach a moral truth: splendor depends on sustaining conditions, and fortune can wane.

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

It cautions rulers and householders not to rely on wealth as permanent; when fortune declines, social and personal brilliance fade—so one should ground life in dharma, restraint, and prudent stewardship rather than mere riches.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is a nīti-style simile about radiance and decline, not a technical rule of temple-building or rites.