Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

पूर्णेन्दुः पूर्णपक्षे तु रात्रिसंधिषु पूर्णिमा तस्मादाप्यायते नक्तं पौर्णमास्यां निशाकरः //

Transliteration

pūrṇenduḥ pūrṇapakṣe tu rātrisaṃdhiṣu pūrṇimā tasmādāpyāyate naktaṃ paurṇamāsyāṃ niśākaraḥ //

Translation

In the bright fortnight (śukla-pakṣa), the night of Pūrṇimā is the junction of the night; therefore, on Paurṇamāsī, the Moon—lord of the night—waxing by night, becomes full.

Word by Word

• pūrṇenduḥ: the full Moon

• pūrṇapakṣe: in the bright fortnight (waxing half)

• tu: indeed

• rātri-saṃdhiṣu: at the junctions of the night (night’s transition points)

• pūrṇimā: the full-moon night/day

• tasmāt: therefore

• āpyāyate: waxes, increases, becomes replenished

• naktam: by night, at night

• paurṇamāsyām: on the full-moon day (Paurṇamāsī)

• niśākaraḥ: the Moon, maker of night-light

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying Purāṇic time-doctrine in the Matsya Purāṇa style

Entities Mentioned

• Pūrṇimā
• Paurṇamāsī
• Niśākara (Moon)

Tags

• Kala-Nirnaya
• Purnima
• Tithi
• Ritual Timing
• Jyotisha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it explains lunar waxing and the ritual/astronomical significance of Pūrṇimā as a night-junction (rātri-saṃdhi) in the bright fortnight.

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

By defining Paurṇamāsī and its night-junction character, it supports correct timing for household and royal observances—such as Pūrṇimā-vrata, dāna, and night worship—where dharma depends on accurate tithi and sandhi determination.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Paurṇamāsī night as especially potent for worship and vows because the Moon is said to ‘fill’ at night; it does not give Vāstu or temple-construction rules in this specific verse.