Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

रोहिण्यार्द्रा मृगशिरो नागवीथिर् इति स्मृता पुष्याश्लेषा पुनर्वस्वोर् वीथी चैरावती स्मृता //

Transliteration

rohiṇyārdrā mṛgaśiro nāgavīthir iti smṛtā puṣyāśleṣā punarvasvor vīthī cairāvatī smṛtā //

Translation

Rohiṇī, Ārdrā, and Mṛgaśiras are remembered as belonging to the Nāga‑vīthī (the Serpent star‑path). Likewise, Puṣya, Āśleṣā, and Punarvasu are remembered as belonging to the Cairāvatī‑vīthī.

Word by Word

rohiṇīthe Rohiṇī nakṣatra

ārdrathe Ārdrā nakṣatra

mṛgaśiraḥ (mṛgaśiras)the Mṛgaśiras nakṣatra

nāga-vīthiḥthe Nāga star-path/grouping (vīthī)

itithus

smṛtāis remembered/recorded in tradition

puṣyāthe Puṣya nakṣatra

āśleṣāthe Āśleṣā nakṣatra

punarvasoḥ (punarvasu)the Punarvasu nakṣatra

vīthīstar-path, astral grouping

cairāvatīthe Cairāvatī star-path/grouping

smṛtāis traditionally stated

Speaker

Sūta (traditional Purāṇic narrator) conveying received classification within the Matsya Purāṇa’s jyotiṣa material

Entities Mentioned

RohiṇīĀrdrāMṛgaśirasNāga-vīthīPuṣyaĀśleṣāPunarvasuCairāvatī-vīthī

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is technical jyotiṣa material, classifying nakṣatras into vīthīs (astral groupings), not describing pralaya or cosmological dissolution.

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

Indirectly, such nakṣatra-groupings support calendrical and electional timing (muhūrta) used by householders and kings for rites, journeys, and state ceremonies; the verse supplies the traditional mapping needed for that astrological reckoning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, nakṣatra classifications can guide auspicious timing for saṃskāras and temple rites; architecturally, they may be consulted when choosing consecration (pratiṣṭhā) dates, though this specific verse only lists the vīthī groupings.