Shloka 76

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

मुहूर्तैस्त्रिंशता तावद् अहोरात्रं भुवो भ्रमन् उभयोः काष्ठयोर्मध्ये भ्रमते मण्डलानि तु //

Transliteration

muhūrtaistriṃśatā tāvad ahorātraṃ bhuvo bhraman ubhayoḥ kāṣṭhayormadhye bhramate maṇḍalāni tu //

Translation

Thirty muhūrtas make up a day and night; and as the Earth turns, the celestial circles (orbital spheres) revolve between the two kāṣṭhās (time-divisions).

Word by Word

• मुहूर्तैः (muhūrtaiḥ): by muhūrtas

• त्रिंशता (triṃśatā): by thirty / consisting of thirty

• तावत् (tāvat): so much / that amount

• अहोरात्रम् (ahorātram): day-and-night, a full diurnal cycle

• भुवः (bhuvaḥ): of the Earth

• भ्रमन् (bhraman): turning, revolving

• उभयोः (ubhayoḥ): of the two

• काष्ठयोः (kāṣṭhayoḥ): kāṣṭhās, small divisions of time

• मध्ये (madhye): in the middle, between

• भ्रमते (bhramate): revolves, moves in a circular course

• मण्डलानि (maṇḍalāni): circles, spheres, orbital paths

• तु (tu): indeed / moreover

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on cosmology and time-reckoning)

Entities Mentioned

• Earth (Bhū)

Tags

• Kāla-māna
• Cosmology
• Ahorātra
• Muhūrta
• Jyotiṣa

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe pralaya; it focuses on kāla-māna (time-reckoning), defining the day-night cycle as thirty muhūrtas and linking it to the Earth’s turning and the motion of celestial ‘maṇḍalas’.

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

By defining the day-night measure (ahorātra) and its standard divisions, it supports correct scheduling of royal administration, vows, fasts, daily rites, and auspicious timing—key disciplines for both kings and householders in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, accurate muhūrta-based timing is essential for yajñas, consecrations, and temple ceremonies; while not giving Vāstu rules directly, it underpins the ‘muhūrta’ selection used in Puranic temple-building and installation rites.