Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

विदूरभावादर्कस्य भूमेरेषा गतस्य च श्रयन्ते रश्मयो यस्मात् तेन रात्रौ न दृश्यते //

Transliteration

vidūrabhāvādarkasya bhūmereṣā gatasya ca śrayante raśmayo yasmāt tena rātrau na dṛśyate //

Translation

Because the Sun is far away, and because it has moved to the other side of the Earth, its rays fall and rest elsewhere; therefore it is not seen at night.

Word by Word

• vidūra-bhāvāt: due to being far away

• arkasya: of the Sun

• bhūmeḥ: of the Earth

• eṣā: this (i.e., this side/this condition)

• gatasya: of one that has gone (moved away/turned to the other side)

• ca: and

• śrayante: take refuge/rest/settle (i.e., fall upon)

• raśmayaḥ: rays

• yasmāt: because/for which reason

• tena: therefore/for that reason

• rātrau: at night

• na dṛśyate: is not seen/does not appear

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, cosmological explanation)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka (Sun)
• Bhūmi (Earth)
• Raśmi (Sun-rays)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Day-Night
• Matsya Purana
• Jyotisha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives a cosmological explanation for night—when the Sun is positioned away from our side of the Earth, its rays illuminate elsewhere, so it is not visible.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through right knowledge (tattva/jñāna): understanding time (day/night) underlies proper scheduling of royal administration and household rites that are prescribed for specific times.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it implies why many rites are time-bound—certain acts are prescribed for daytime when sunlight is present, while night has distinct observances; it does not give specific Vastu rules but supports the time-science behind ritual timing.