Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

कुहूमात्रं पित्रुद्देशं ज्ञात्वा कुहूमुपासाते तमुपास्य ततः सोमं कलापेक्षी प्रतीक्षते //

Transliteration

kuhūmātraṃ pitruddeśaṃ jñātvā kuhūmupāsāte tamupāsya tataḥ somaṃ kalāpekṣī pratīkṣate //

Translation

Knowing that the rite intended for the Fathers (Pitṛs) is confined to the tithi called Kuhū, one should observe and honour Kuhū. Having observed it, one then waits for Soma (the Moon), looking for the proper kalā, the lunar digit.

Word by Word

• kuhū-mātram: only up to/limited to Kuhū (the new-moon phase/tithi)

• pitṛ-uddeśam: the rite/act directed to the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• jñātvā: having known/understood

• kuhūm: Kuhū

• upāsāte: one observes, attends upon, honours

• tam: that (Kuhū)

• upāsya: having observed/honoured

• tataḥ: thereafter

• somam: Soma, the Moon

• kalā-apekṣī: seeking/depending on the lunar digit (phase)

• pratīkṣate: waits for, expects.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on ritual timing)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Kuhū
• Soma (Moon)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛ-tarpaṇa
• Tithi
• Lunar calendar
• Ritual timing

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual timekeeping—specifically how ancestor-directed rites are tied to the Kuhū lunar observance and the Moon’s phases (kalā).

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

It frames a dharmic duty: a householder (and by extension a king as guardian of dharma) should perform Pitṛ-related rites on the correct tithi—honouring Kuhū first and then proceeding in accordance with the Moon’s kalā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it prescribes correct timing for Pitṛ-rites, emphasizing Kuhū observance and careful alignment with Soma’s lunar digit (kalā) for proper performance.