Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

दृष्टचन्द्रा त्वमावास्या मध्याह्नप्रभृतीह वै दिवा तदूर्ध्वं रात्र्यां तु सूर्ये प्राप्ते तु चन्द्रमाः सूर्येण सहसोद्गच्छेत् ततः प्रातस्तनात्तु वै //

Transliteration

dṛṣṭacandrā tvamāvāsyā madhyāhnaprabhṛtīha vai divā tadūrdhvaṃ rātryāṃ tu sūrye prāpte tu candramāḥ sūryeṇa sahasodgacchet tataḥ prātastanāttu vai //

Translation

That Amāvāsyā day is called “dṛṣṭa-candrā” (“moon-seen”): from midday onward, in the daytime itself, and thereafter at night—when the Sun reaches its time (of setting), the Moon rises suddenly together with the Sun; and then it is seen again at dawn.

Word by Word

• dṛṣṭa-candrā: ‘moon-seen’ (a new-moon with visible Moon)

• tvam: you/indeed (emphatic)

• amāvāsyā: new-moon day

• madhyāhna-prabhṛti: beginning from midday

• iha: here/in this rule

• vai: indeed

• divā: in the daytime

• tad-ūrdhvam: after that/further

• rātryām: at night

• tu: and/but

• sūrye prāpte: when the Sun has arrived (at its proper point, esp. setting time)

• candramāḥ: the Moon

• sūryeṇa saha: together with the Sun

• sahasā: suddenly

• udgacchet: would rise/appear

• tataḥ: thereafter

• prātastanāt: at dawn/early morning

• tu vai: indeed.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (teaching) to Vaivasvata Manu (listener), in the standard Matsya Purana dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Sūrya (Sun)
• Candra/Candramā (Moon)
• Amāvāsyā (New-moon day)

Tags

• Amavasya
• Tithi
• Jyotisha
• Ritual Timing
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it defines a calendrical/astronomical condition of Amāvāsyā (new-moon) where the Moon is considered ‘seen’ due to its brief visibility near the Sun and again at dawn.

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

It supports dharmic timekeeping: kings and householders rely on correct tithi identification (especially Amāvāsyā) for śrāddha, fasting, donations, and other rites whose merit depends on proper lunar timing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it indicates a special Amāvāsyā marked by moon visibility, helping determine precise performance windows for new-moon rites such as pitṛ-kārya (ancestral offerings) and other Amāvāsyā observances.