Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Origin of Soma

Devanagari script

वेदधामरसं चापि यदिदं चन्द्रमण्डलम् क्षीयते वर्धते चैव शुक्ले कृष्णे च सर्वदा //

Transliteration

vedadhāmarasaṃ cāpi yadidaṃ candramaṇḍalam kṣīyate vardhate caiva śukle kṛṣṇe ca sarvadā //

Translation

This lunar orb, which is also said to be the essence of the Veda and the abode of sacred radiance, continually wanes and waxes—ever in the bright fortnight and the dark fortnight.

Word by Word

• veda-dhāma-rasam: the essence/nectar that is the Veda (or the rasa of the Veda)

• ca api: and also

• yat idam: this which (is)

• candra-maṇḍalam: the lunar sphere/orb

• kṣīyate: wanes, diminishes

• vardhate: waxes, increases

• ca eva: and indeed

• śukle: in the bright fortnight (Śukla-pakṣa)

• kṛṣṇe: in the dark fortnight (Kṛṣṇa-pakṣa)

• ca: and

• sarvadā: always, continually

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Chandra (Moon)
• Veda
• Shukla Paksha
• Krishna Paksha

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Moon
• Ritual Calendar
• Paksha

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the steady cosmic rhythm of the Moon’s waxing and waning as a maintained order within creation.

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

By foregrounding Śukla- and Kṛṣṇa-pakṣa, it supports dharmic timekeeping: household rites, vratas, śrāddha timing, and royal calendrical administration aligned with the lunar fortnight system.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underlines lunar-fortnight scheduling for ceremonies; architecturally, it implies (indirectly) the importance of calendrical auspicious timing (muhūrta) rather than giving specific Vastu rules in this verse.