Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

श्रावणे चोत्तरां काष्ठां चित्रभानुर्यदा भवेत् गोमेदस्य परद्वीपे उत्तरां च दिशं चरन् //

Transliteration

śrāvaṇe cottarāṃ kāṣṭhāṃ citrabhānuryadā bhavet gomedasya paradvīpe uttarāṃ ca diśaṃ caran //

Translation

In the month of Śrāvaṇa, when the Sun (Citrabhānu) is in the northern quarter and moves toward the northern direction, it is said to be in the far island (paradvīpa) of Gomeda.

Word by Word

• śrāvaṇe: in (the month of) Śrāvaṇa

• ca: and

• uttarām: northern

• kāṣṭhām: quarter/direction (dik)

• citrabhānuḥ: the Sun

• yadā: when

• bhavet: becomes/is situated

• gomedasya: of Gomeda (a named region/island)

• paradvīpe: in the far island/outer continent

• uttarām: northern

• ca: and

• diśam: direction

• caran: moving/going (traversing)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this discourse section)

Entities Mentioned

• Citrabhanu (Sun)
• Shravana (month)
• Gomeda
• Paradvipa

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Solar transit
• Directions
• Calendrical lore
• Matsya Purana astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a technical, calendrical-astronomical passage describing the Sun’s directional course and a Puranic geographic placement (Gomeda-paradvīpa) during Śrāvaṇa.

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

By tracking the Sun’s month-wise directional movement, rulers and householders could time state rituals, journeys, and auspicious undertakings; such jyotiṣa-based timing supports dharmic governance and orderly domestic rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights uttarā diś (the northern direction) and solar positioning in Śrāvaṇa—useful as an auspicious-direction indicator when choosing ritual timings or aligning actions with directional propriety (a supporting idea often used alongside Vastu-oriented planning).