Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

तत्कालं सूर्यमुद्दिश्य दृष्ट्वा संख्यातुमर्हसि स चैव सत्क्रियाकालः षष्ठः कालो ऽभिधीयते //

Transliteration

tatkālaṃ sūryamuddiśya dṛṣṭvā saṃkhyātumarhasi sa caiva satkriyākālaḥ ṣaṣṭhaḥ kālo 'bhidhīyate //

Translation

At that very time, looking toward the Sun, you should reckon that moment; it is indeed the proper time for auspicious rites, declared to be the sixth division of time (kāla).

Word by Word

• tat-kālam: that time/moment

• sūryam: the Sun

• uddiśya: with reference to, facing/aiming toward

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen/observed

• saṃkhyātum: to count, to calculate

• arhasi: you ought, you are fit

• saḥ: that (time)

• ca eva: and indeed

• sat-kriyā-kālaḥ: time for good/auspicious acts (ritual observances)

• ṣaṣṭhaḥ: sixth

• kālaḥ: time-unit/division of time

• abhidhīyate: is called, is declared.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (the Sun)

Tags

• Kala
• Ritual timing
• Dharma
• Samskara
• Daily rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on practical time-reckoning for dharmic and auspicious actions by observing the Sun.

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

It instructs that one should determine the proper moment for righteous and auspicious duties (satkriyā) by referencing the Sun—useful for household rites, royal ceremonies, donations, and daily worship performed at correct times.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Its ritual significance is the identification of a specific 'kāla' (the sixth time-division) as satkriyā-kāla—an approved window for performing auspicious rites, implying that timing is to be calculated through solar observation.