Shloka 57

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

पूर्वोत्तरप्रोष्ठपदौ गोवीथी रेवती स्मृता श्रवणं च धनिष्ठा च वारुणं च जरद्गवम् //

Transliteration

pūrvottaraproṣṭhapadau govīthī revatī smṛtā śravaṇaṃ ca dhaniṣṭhā ca vāruṇaṃ ca jaradgavam //

Translation

The pair called Pūrvaproṣṭhapadā and Uttaraproṣṭhapadā is known as Govīthī; Revatī is remembered so; likewise Śravaṇa and Dhaniṣṭhā, and also Vāruṇa and Jaradgava.

Word by Word

• pūrva-uttara-proṣṭhapadau: (the two nakṣatras) Pūrvaproṣṭhapadā and Uttaraproṣṭhapadā

• govīthī: ‘Govīthī’ (a traditional collective/alternate designation)

• revatī: Revatī (nakṣatra)

• smṛtā: is remembered/known as

• śravaṇam: Śravaṇa (nakṣatra)

• ca: and

• dhaniṣṭhā: Dhaniṣṭhā (nakṣatra)

• vāruṇam: Vāruṇa (a designation/name connected with Varuṇa)

• jaradgavam: Jaradgava (a traditional designation/name)

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s list-style teaching on nakṣatra nomenclature

Entities Mentioned

• Pūrvaproṣṭhapadā
• Uttaraproṣṭhapadā
• Govīthī
• Revatī
• Śravaṇa
• Dhaniṣṭhā
• Vāruṇa
• Jaradgava

Tags

• Nakshatra
• Jyotisha
• Astronomy
• Puranic Lists
• Names and Epithets

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a technical catalog of nakṣatra names/epithets used for calendrical and astronomical identification, not a Pralaya narrative.

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

By fixing correct nakṣatra nomenclature, it supports choosing auspicious timings (muhūrta) for royal acts, rites, travel, donations, and household saṃskāras—an applied Jyotiṣa utility rather than an ethical injunction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly ritual: accurate nakṣatra identification is used to time consecrations, vows, and temple/house ceremonies; the verse itself lists names rather than giving Vāstu rules.