Shloka 92

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

वर्धत्यतो ह्रसत्येव अयने दक्षिणोत्तरे अहस्तु ग्रसते रात्रिं रात्रिस्तु ग्रसते अहः //

Transliteration

vardhatyato hrasatyeva ayane dakṣiṇottare ahastu grasate rātriṃ rātristu grasate ahaḥ //

Translation

Thus, in the two solstitial courses—southern and northern—the lengths of day and night alternately increase and decrease: the day indeed “swallows” the night, and the night in turn “swallows” the day.

Word by Word

• वर्धति (vardhati): increases

• अतः (ataḥ): therefore/thus

• ह्रसति (hrasati): decreases

• एव (eva): indeed/only

• अयने (ayane): in the two ayanas/solar courses

• दक्षिण-उत्तरे (dakṣiṇa-uttare): southern and northern (Dakṣiṇāyana and Uttarāyana)

• अहः (ahaḥ/ahas): day

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• ग्रसते (grasate): swallows/overcomes

• रात्रिम् (rātrim): the night

• रात्रिः (rātriḥ): night

• अहः (ahaḥ): day.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Dakshinayana
• Uttarayana
• Ahas (day)
• Ratri (night)

Tags

• Kala
• Jyotisha
• Uttarayana
• Dakshinayana
• DayNight
• Cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains the regular cosmic order of time—how day and night alternately expand and contract across the sun’s northern and southern courses.

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

By defining the rhythm of day and night across Uttarayana and Dakshinayana, it supports correct timing for governance, agriculture, fasting, and domestic rites—since many duties and vows are scheduled according to seasonal daylight and the sun’s course.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it underpins ritual calendrics (muhūrta and seasonal observances): knowing the ayanas helps choose auspicious periods for yajña, vrata, and temple consecration schedules, even though no specific Vastu rule is stated in this verse.