Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

अतः परं ह्रसन्तीभिर् गोभिरस्तं स गच्छति उदयास्तमयाभ्यां च स्मृते पूर्वापरे तु वै //

Transliteration

ataḥ paraṃ hrasantībhir gobhirastaṃ sa gacchati udayāstamayābhyāṃ ca smṛte pūrvāpare tu vai //

Translation

Thereafter, by the “cows” that diminish—namely, the waning rays—he is understood to be going toward setting. And by sunrise and sunset, the two directions, east and west, are indeed recognized as before and after.

Word by Word

• ataḥ param: thereafter/next

• hrasantībhiḥ: by (those) diminishing/waning

• gobhiḥ: by cows (also: rays, figuratively)

• astaṃ: to setting, to the west, to sunset

• saḥ: he/that (the sun)

• gacchati: goes

• udayāstamayābhyām: by sunrise and by sunset (dual/instrumental)

• ca: and

• smṛte: are remembered/are to be known

• pūrvāpare: east and west (the former and the latter)

• tu: indeed/but

• vai: certainly.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on kāla/diśā indicators; ultimately rooted in Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Udaya (Sunrise)
• Astamaya (Sunset)
• Purva (East)
• Apara (West)

Tags

• Kāla-nirṇaya
• Directions
• Sunrise-Sunset
• Ritual timing
• Indic astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on practical cosmological reckoning—how to recognize sunset and how sunrise/sunset establish the east–west axis used in sacred time and space.

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

It supports dharma through correct daily and ritual timing: knowing sunrise/sunset and east/west helps a householder schedule sandhyā and rites, and helps a king regulate public rituals, vows, and auspicious commencements.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Sunrise and sunset define pūrva–apara (east–west), a key orientation principle for altars, temples, and house-plots; correct directional knowledge is foundational for Vastu-alignment and for performing rites facing the proper direction.