Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

यादृक्पुरस्तात्तपति यादृक्पृष्ठे तु पार्श्वयोः यत्रोदयस्तु दृश्येत तेषां स उदयः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

yādṛkpurastāttapati yādṛkpṛṣṭhe tu pārśvayoḥ yatrodayastu dṛśyeta teṣāṃ sa udayaḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

As it burns (shines) in the front, so it burns behind and on the flanks as well; wherever its rising is perceived, that, for those observers, is deemed its ‘udaya’—its rising.

Word by Word

• yādṛk: in whatever manner/as

• purastāt: in front/eastward

• tapati: heats/shines/burns

• yādṛk: likewise/as

• pṛṣṭhe: at the back/behind (westward)

• tu: indeed/but

• pārśvayoḥ: on the sides/flanks (north and south)

• yatra: where

• udayaḥ: rising/appearance

• tu: indeed

• dṛśyeta: is seen/appears

• teṣām: for them/of those (observers)

• saḥ: that

• udayaḥ: (is) the rising

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/considered/defined.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Udaya (rising/appearance)
• Directional quarters (front/back/sides)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Directional science
• Observation
• Astronomical terminology
• Matsya Purana definitions

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it defines ‘udaya’ (rising/appearance) in practical, observational terms—wherever the phenomenon is seen to rise is treated as its rising point.

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

It supports correct observation of directions and visible phenomena, which underlies orderly planning—useful for a king’s civic layout and a householder’s orientation of dwellings, entrances, and daily rites tied to eastward ‘rising.’

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu-oriented practice, ‘udaya’ is treated as a functional, visible reference rather than an abstract absolute—helping determine eastward alignment for building orientation and timing/placement of rites that depend on the perceived rising.