Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

त्रिंशद्भागं च मेदिन्या मुहूर्तेन स गच्छति योजनानां सहस्रस्य इमां संख्यां निबोधत //

Transliteration

triṃśadbhāgaṃ ca medinyā muhūrtena sa gacchati yojanānāṃ sahasrasya imāṃ saṃkhyāṃ nibodhata //

Translation

In one muhūrta, it traverses a thirtieth part of the earth—understand this stated measure as a thousand yojanas.

Word by Word

• triṁśad-bhāgam: a thirtieth part

• ca: and

• medinyāḥ: of the earth/world

• muhūrtena: in a muhūrta (a fixed time-unit)

• saḥ: it/he/that (the moving body being discussed)

• gacchati: goes/travels

• yojanānām: of yojanas (a distance measure)

• sahasrasya: of a thousand

• imām: this

• saṅkhyām: number/measure

• nibodhata: understand/know (imperative, plural/polite)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Medinī (Earth)
• Muhūrta
• Yojana

Tags

• Cosmography
• Units of measure
• Time calculation
• Puranic astronomy
• Matsya Purana metrics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives a technical cosmographic computation—how far a referenced moving body travels in one muhūrta, expressed in yojanas.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of learned governance and household life: rulers and householders are encouraged to know standard measures (time/distance) used for calendrics, ritual timing, and administrative reckoning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse itself is metrical/astronomical, but such standardized units (yojana, muhūrta) underpin ritual scheduling and large-scale planning (e.g., pilgrimage routes, temple endowments, and measurement conventions referenced across Purāṇic traditions).