Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

रुद्रस्तु वत्सरस्तेषां पञ्चाब्दा ये युगात्मकाः कालेनाधिष्ठितस्तेषु चन्द्रमाः स्रवते सुधाम् //

Transliteration

rudrastu vatsarasteṣāṃ pañcābdā ye yugātmakāḥ kālenādhiṣṭhitasteṣu candramāḥ sravate sudhām //

Translation

Among those divisions of time, Rudra is spoken of as the “year”; and the five years, which are of the nature of a yuga, are presided over by Kāla (Time) itself. Within those cycles, the Moon (Candra) continually distils the nectar (sudhā).

Word by Word

• रुद्रः (rudraḥ): Rudra

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• वत्सरः (vatsaraḥ): the year

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of those

• पञ्च-आब्दाः (pañcābdāḥ): five years

• ये (ye): which

• युग-आत्मकाः (yugātmakāḥ): having the character/nature of a yuga

• कालेन (kālena): by Time

• अधिष्ठिताः (adhiṣṭhitāḥ): presided over/governed

• तेषु (teṣu): in/among those

• चन्द्रमाः (candramāḥ): the Moon

• स्रवते (sravate): flows forth/distils

• सुधाम् (sudhām): nectar/ambrosia (soma-like essence)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely narrative frame of Matsya Purana dialogues)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Kala (Time)
• Chandra (Moon)
• Sudha (nectar/ambrosia)

Tags

• Kala
• Yuga
• Cosmology
• Chandra
• Soma/Sudha

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames cosmic order through Time (Kāla) governing yuga-like cycles, implying that dissolution and creation occur under Kāla’s overarching rule.

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

By emphasizing regulated cycles (year, five-year yuga-unit) overseen by Kāla, it supports dharmic life through proper calendrical observance—timing of rites, vows, taxation/administration, and seasonal duties aligned with lunar and annual measures.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to lunar timing and soma/sudhā symbolism—useful for scheduling vrata, śrāddha, and temple observances by tithi and month; architecturally it is indirect, but reinforces the Vastu principle of aligning works with auspicious time (kāla-śuddhi).