Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि सूर्यचन्द्रमसोर्गतिम् सूर्याचन्द्रमसावेतौ भ्राजन्तौ यावदेव तु //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca ata ūrdhvaṃ pravakṣyāmi sūryacandramasorgatim sūryācandramasāvetau bhrājantau yāvadeva tu //

Translation

Sūta said: “Now, henceforth, I shall explain the course of the Sun and the Moon—how these two, the Sun and the Moon, shine forth for as long as they endure.”

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• ataḥ: now/thereupon

• ūrdhvam: onward/further

• pravakṣyāmi: I shall declare/explain

• sūrya-candramasoḥ: of the Sun and the Moon

• gatim: course/motion/path

• sūrya-candramasau: the Sun and the Moon (the pair)

• etau: these two

• bhrājantau: shining, radiant

• yāvat eva tu: just so long as/for as long as indeed

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Sūrya (Sun)
• Candra (Moon)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Sun
• Moon
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it introduces a cosmological exposition on the continuing motion and radiance of the Sun and Moon within the ordered universe.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by grounding timekeeping (days, months, seasons) in the Sun–Moon order—useful for a king’s calendar, administration, and for householders’ observances tied to lunar and solar cycles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated here, but the Sun–Moon framework underlies ritual timing (tithi, pakṣa, māsa) that governs temple rites and consecrations—often marketed as “Matsya Purana ritual timing and cosmology background.”