Shloka 59

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

ज्येष्ठा विशाखा मैत्रं च मृगवीथी तथोच्यते मूलं पूर्वोत्तराषाढे वीथी वैश्वानरी भवेत् //

Transliteration

jyeṣṭhā viśākhā maitraṃ ca mṛgavīthī tathocyate mūlaṃ pūrvottarāṣāḍhe vīthī vaiśvānarī bhavet //

Translation

Jyeṣṭhā, Viśākhā, and Maitra (Anurādhā) are said to belong to the Mṛga‑vīthī. Mūla together with Pūrvāṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā forms the Vaiśvānara‑vīthī.

Word by Word

• ज्येष्ठा (jyeṣṭhā): the nakshatra Jyeṣṭhā

• विशाखा (viśākhā): the nakshatra Viśākhā

• मैत्रम् (maitraṃ): Maitra, i.e., Anurādhā nakshatra (connected with Mitra)

• मृगवीथी (mṛgavīthī): the ‘Mṛga’ vīthī, a stellar pathway/group

• तथा (tathā): thus

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/called

• मूलम् (mūlaṃ): the nakshatra Mūla

• पूर्वोत्तराषाढे (pūrvottarāṣāḍhe): Pūrvāṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā

• वीथी (vīthī): vīthī, astral pathway

• वैश्वानरी (vaiśvānarī): Vaiśvānara-vīthī (the ‘Vaiśvānara/Agni’ pathway)

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes/is to be

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s jyotiṣa classification (traditionally framed within the Matsya–Manu dialogue context)

Entities Mentioned

• Jyeṣṭhā
• Viśākhā
• Anurādhā (Maitra)
• Mūla
• Pūrvāṣāḍhā
• Uttarāṣāḍhā
• Mṛga-vīthī
• Vaiśvānara-vīthī

Tags

• Matsya Purana Jyotisha
• Nakshatra
• Vithi
• Astral classification
• Ritual timing

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it is a technical jyotiṣa passage grouping specific nakshatras into named vīthis (stellar pathways) for traditional astral classification.

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

By defining nakshatra groupings, it supports choosing proper muhūrtas for royal and household actions—such as consecrations, journeys, alliances, or major rites—where timing based on nakshatra categories is treated as part of prudent dharmic governance and domestic discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, such nakshatra-vīthī classifications are used to select auspicious times for temple rites, installations, and Vastu-linked ceremonies (foundation laying, prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā), aligning ritual scheduling with prescribed astral groupings.