Shloka 91

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

दश पञ्च मुहूर्ताह्नो मुहूर्तास् त्रय एव च दशपञ्चमुहूर्तं वै अहस्तु विषुवे स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

daśa pañca muhūrtāhno muhūrtās traya eva ca daśapañcamuhūrtaṃ vai ahastu viṣuve smṛtam //

Translation

Daytime (āhna) consists of fifteen muhūrtas, and the night consists of three muhūrtas; thus, on viṣuva (the equinox) the day is traditionally reckoned as fifteen muhūrtas.

Word by Word

• दश (daśa): ten

• पञ्च (pañca): five

• मुहूर्त-आह्नः (muhūrta-āhnaḥ): the daytime measured in muhūrtas / daytime portion

• मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ): muhūrtas (time-units)

• त्रयः (trayaḥ): three

• एव (eva): indeed/only

• च (ca): and

• दश-पञ्च-मुहूर्तम् (daśa-pañca-muhūrtam): fifteen muhūrtas

• वै (vai): verily/indeed

• अहः (ahaḥ): day (daytime/diurnal period)

• तु (tu): however/indeed

• विषुवे (viṣuve): at the equinox (when day and night are balanced)

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared in tradition.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣuva (equinox)
• Muhūrta
• Ahas (day)
• Āhna (daytime)

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Kalavibhaga
• Muhūrta
• Viṣuva
• Ritual Timing

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s technical time-reckoning (kāla-vibhāga), defining muhūrta-based measures used to regulate ritual and calendrical calculations.

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

By defining muhūrta measures (especially around viṣuva), it supports dharmic scheduling—selecting proper times for yajña, vrata, royal proclamations, and household saṃskāras according to Purāṇic standards of auspicious timing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance is primary: muhūrta divisions are foundational for fixing auspicious moments (muhūrta) for consecrations and ceremonies; such timing frameworks are also used when choosing temple-building and installation times in allied Vāstu-ritual practice.