Shloka 62

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

काष्ठयोरन्तरं ह्येतद् योजनानां प्रकीर्तितम् काष्ठयोर्लेखयोश्चैव अयने दक्षिणोत्तरे //

Transliteration

kāṣṭhayorantaraṃ hyetad yojanānāṃ prakīrtitam kāṣṭhayorlekhayoścaiva ayane dakṣiṇottare //

Translation

This is declared to be the interval, measured in yojanas, between the two kāṣṭhās; and likewise the interval between the two lines (lekhā) in the sun’s southern and northern courses, namely dakṣiṇāyana and uttarāyana.

Word by Word

• काष्ठयोः (kāṣṭhayoḥ): between the two kāṣṭhās/markers

• अन्तरम् (antaram): interval, distance

• हि (hi): indeed

• एतत् (etat): this

• योजनानाम् (yojanānām): in yojanas

• प्रकीर्तितम् (prakīrtitam): is proclaimed/declared

• काष्ठयोः (kāṣṭhayoḥ): of/between the two kāṣṭhās

• लेखयोः (lekhayoḥ): between the two lines/marks

• च एव (ca eva): and also/indeed

• अयने (ayane): in the two courses/solsticial halves

• दक्षिण-उत्तरे (dakṣiṇa-uttare): southern and northern (dakṣiṇāyana and uttarāyana).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Dakshinayana
• Uttarayana
• Yojana

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Cosmography
• Astronomical measures
• Ayana
• Puranic geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on technical measurement—distances expressed in yojanas—and relates them to the sun’s southern and northern courses (dakṣiṇāyana/uttarāyana).

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

Indirectly, it supports correct calendrical and spatial reckoning used for governance and household ritual timing—especially determining seasonal halves of the year (ayana) for ceremonies and administrative planning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

By defining intervals and reference-lines/markers (kāṣṭhā, lekhā) tied to the ayanas, it underpins traditional orientation and measurement logic used in Vastu-aligned layouts and in choosing ritually appropriate seasonal timings.