Shloka 89

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

मध्याह्नस्त्रिमुहूर्तस्तु तस्मात्कालादनन्तरम् तस्मान्मध्यंदिनात्कालाद् अपराह्ण इति स्मृतः //

Transliteration

madhyāhnastrimuhūrtastu tasmātkālādanantaram tasmānmadhyaṃdinātkālād aparāhṇa iti smṛtaḥ //

Translation

Midday (madhyāhna) comprises three muhūrtas; immediately following that time, the period after midday is traditionally remembered as aparāhṇa (the afternoon).

Word by Word

• मध्याह्नः (madhyāhnaḥ): midday

• त्रिमुहूर्तः (trimuhūrtaḥ): consisting of three muhūrtas

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): from that/thereafter

• कालात् (kālāt): from the time

• अनन्तरम् (anantaram): immediately after

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore/from that

• मध्यंदिनात् (madhyaṃdināt): from midday

• कालात् (kālāt): from the time

• अपराह्णः (aparāhṇaḥ): afternoon (post-noon period)

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/recognized in tradition.

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on time-division)

Entities Mentioned

• Muhūrta
• Madhyāhna
• Aparāhṇa

Tags

• Kala-vibhaga
• Ritual timing
• Muhūrta
• Dharma
• Daily schedule

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it defines practical divisions of daytime (midday and the following afternoon) used for regulating ritual and daily observances.

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

By defining madhyāhna and aparāhṇa precisely, it supports dharma-based scheduling—kings and householders can time donations, audience, worship, and domestic rites according to proper daytime periods.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides a time-classification framework used in ritual manuals and Vastu-related practice for choosing appropriate hours (muhūrtas) for rites such as pūjā, homa, consecrations, and other regulated ceremonies.