Shloka 85

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

तस्मात्संध्येति तामाहुर् उषाव्युष्टैर्यथान्तरम् उषा रात्रिः स्मृता विप्रैर् व्युष्टिश्चापि अहः स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

tasmātsaṃdhyeti tāmāhur uṣāvyuṣṭairyathāntaram uṣā rātriḥ smṛtā viprair vyuṣṭiścāpi ahaḥ smṛtam //

Translation

Therefore, the learned call the interval between uṣā (dawn) and vyuṣṭi (full daybreak) “sandhyā” (the sacred twilight junction). The Brahmins remember uṣā as belonging to the night, while vyuṣṭi is held to belong to the day.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• sandhyā iti: as ‘sandhyā’

• tām: that (interval)

• āhuḥ: they call

• uṣā-vyuṣṭaiḥ: by/with (reference to) uṣā (dawn) and vyuṣṭi (daybreak)

• yathā antaram: as the intervening interval

• uṣā: dawn

• rātriḥ: night

• smṛtā: is remembered/considered

• vipraiḥ: by the learned/Brahmins

• vyuṣṭiḥ: full daybreak/brightening after dawn

• ca api: and also

• ahaḥ: day

• smṛtam: is remembered/considered.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma/ritual timing)

Entities Mentioned

• Sandhyā
• Uṣā
• Vyuṣṭi
• Vipra (learned Brahmins)

Tags

• Sandhyā
• Dharma
• Ritual timing
• Daily rites
• Vedic time

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it defines sandhyā as a measurable transition between night and day, emphasizing correct ritual timekeeping rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

By defining the precise boundary of sandhyā, it supports correct scheduling of daily duties such as sandhyā-vandana, japa, and other nitya-karmas—disciplines expected of householders and upheld by righteous rulers as part of public dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it establishes when sandhyā rites should be performed by identifying uṣā as night and vyuṣṭi as day, making the in-between interval the proper sandhyā period.