Shloka 82

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

प्रकाशश्चाप्रकाशश्च पर्वतः परिमण्डलः नक्षत्रचन्द्रसूर्याश्च ग्रहास्तारागणैः सह //

Transliteration

prakāśaścāprakāśaśca parvataḥ parimaṇḍalaḥ nakṣatracandrasūryāśca grahāstārāgaṇaiḥ saha //

Translation

There is a mountain of the cosmic sphere, circular, marked by regions of light and of non-light; and there are the constellations, the Moon and the Sun, along with the planets together with their multitudes of stars.

Word by Word

• prakāśaḥ: light, luminous region

• ca: and

• aprakāśaḥ: non-light, darkness/obscuration

• ca: and

• parvataḥ: mountain

• parimaṇḍalaḥ: the encircling sphere/cosmic circuit, circular enclosure

• nakṣatra: lunar mansions/constellations

• candra: the Moon

• sūrya: the Sun

• ca: and

• grahāḥ: planets/seizers (celestial bodies that influence)

• tārā-gaṇaiḥ: with groups/hosts of stars

• saha: together with

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Nakshatras
• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)
• Grahās (planets)
• Tārāgaṇa (star-hosts)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Bhuvana-vinyasa
• Nakshatra
• Graha

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily cosmographic: it lists the cosmic sphere and its luminous/non-luminous regions along with celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, planets, stars). It supports a creation-order worldview rather than describing dissolution directly.

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

Indirectly, it frames the ordered cosmos (Sun, Moon, nakṣatras, grahas) that underlies calendrical timekeeping—useful for royal administration and household rites (fasts, śrāddha, festivals) scheduled by lunar mansions and planetary motions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a Vāstu rule itself, the verse foregrounds celestial order used in ritual timing and directional symbolism; Vāstu and temple rites often align plans and consecrations with solar/lunar cycles and nakṣatra-based muhūrtas.