Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

सुषुम्नाप्यायमानस्य शुक्ला वर्धन्ति वै कलाः तस्माद्ध्रसन्ति वै कृष्णाः शुक्ला ह्याप्याययन्ति च //

Transliteration

suṣumnāpyāyamānasya śuklā vardhanti vai kalāḥ tasmāddhrasanti vai kṛṣṇāḥ śuklā hyāpyāyayanti ca //

Translation

When the Suṣumnā is being nourished and filled, the bright lunar digits (kalās) truly increase. Therefore the dark fortnight diminishes, for the bright fortnight indeed brings nourishment and increase.

Word by Word

• suṣumnā: the central nāḍī (subtle channel)

• āpyāyamānasya: of one that is being nourished/filled/increased

• śuklāḥ: the bright (white) ones / the bright fortnight

• vardhanti: increase, grow

• vai: indeed, truly

• kalāḥ: digits/parts (especially the Moon’s sixteen kalās)

• tasmāt: therefore

• hrasanti: diminish, wane

• kṛṣṇāḥ: the dark ones / the dark fortnight

• hi: for, indeed

• āpyāyayanti: they nourish, cause to swell/increase

• ca: and

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching in a cosmological-yogic context)

Entities Mentioned

• Suṣumnā
• Kalā (lunar digits)
• Śukla-pakṣa
• Kṛṣṇa-pakṣa

Tags

• Cosmology
• Yoga
• Nadis
• Moon
• Paksha

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains cyclical increase and decrease (waxing/waning) through the imagery of nourishment (āpyāyana) tied to lunar kalās and subtle-channel (suṣumnā) dynamics—an example of how Purāṇic texts map cosmic cycles onto inner, yogic processes.

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

Indirectly, it supports dhārmic time-awareness: rites, vows, and royal/household observances are often scheduled by śukla- and kṛṣṇa-pakṣa. The verse frames śukla-pakṣa as a phase of “increase/nourishment,” guiding when to favor growth-oriented acts (dāna, vratas, consecrations) versus restraint-oriented acts.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated explicitly, but the teaching reinforces ritual timing: many consecrations and auspicious installations are preferred in śukla-pakṣa (the “increasing” phase), aligning temple/ritual actions with the Purāṇic idea of āpyāyana (nourishing increase).