Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

ततः पीतसुधं सोमं सूर्यो ऽसावेकरश्मिना आप्यायते सुषुम्नेन सोमं तु सोमपायिनम् //

Transliteration

tataḥ pītasudhaṃ somaṃ sūryo 'sāvekaraśminā āpyāyate suṣumnena somaṃ tu somapāyinam //

Translation

Thereupon, the Sun—by a single ray—nourishes and replenishes the Moon, who has drunk the nectar; and by way of Suṣumnā he sustains Soma, the drinker of Soma.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• pīta-sudham: having drunk nectar (amṛta)

• somam: the Moon/Soma

• sūryaḥ: the Sun

• asau: that (Sun)

• eka-raśminā: by a single ray

• āpyāyate: nourishes, replenishes, makes swell

• suṣumnena: through Suṣumnā (the subtle central channel/track)

• somam tu: and Soma indeed

• soma-pāyinam: the Soma-drinker (one who drinks Soma/nectar)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmological teaching, in the broader dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya
• Soma (Moon)
• Suṣumnā

Tags

• Cosmology
• Sun-Moon
• Soma
• Subtle channels
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it explains an ongoing cosmic maintenance process—how the Sun replenishes Soma/Moon—supporting the Purana’s broader view of orderly cosmic functioning between dissolutions.

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

By analogy: as the Sun steadily nourishes Soma, a king/householder should sustain dependents through disciplined, regular support—upholding order (dharma) through consistent provision rather than erratic force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it reinforces Soma’s centrality in sacrificial imagination (Soma as nectar and as a cosmic principle); architecturally it is indirect, but such cosmology often underlies temple orientation to Sun–Moon cycles and calendrical ritual timing.