Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

विभावर्यामर्धरात्रं माहेन्द्र्यामस्तमेव च सुषायामथ वारुण्यां मध्याह्ने तु रविर्यदा //

Transliteration

vibhāvaryāmardharātraṃ māhendryāmastameva ca suṣāyāmatha vāruṇyāṃ madhyāhne tu raviryadā //

Translation

In the muhūrta called Vibhāvarī, it is to be observed at midnight; in the period called Māhendrī, at sunset; likewise in Suṣā; and in Vāruṇī, when it is midday and the Sun stands upon the meridian.

Word by Word

• विभावर्याम् (vibhāvaryām): in the (period) named Vibhāvarī

• अर्धरात्रम् (ardharātram): midnight

• माहेन्द्र्याम् (māhendryām): in the (period) named Māhendrī

• अस्तम् (astam): sunset/setting

• एव (eva): indeed/precisely

• च (ca): and

• सुषायाम् (suṣāyām): in the (period) named Suṣā

• अथ (atha): then/also

• वारुण्याम् (vāruṇyām): in the (period) named Vāruṇī

• मध्याह्ने (madhyāhne): at midday

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• रविः (raviḥ): the Sun

• यदा (yadā): when.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ravi (Sun)
• Vāruṇī (ritual time/observance)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual Timing
• Muhurta
• Vrata
• Snana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a practical instruction on kala-nirnaya (fixing the correct time) for specific named ritual periods, keyed to midnight, sunset, and the Sun’s meridian.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of performing vratas, snāna, and other observances at their proper muhurta; for kings and householders, correct timing is treated as part of disciplined religious life and public example.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it specifies when certain observances (especially those associated with named periods like Vāruṇī) should be done—midnight, sunset, or midday when the Sun is at its peak.