Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

कुहेति कोकिलेनोक्तं यस्मात्कालात्समाप्यते तत्कालसंज्ञिता ह्येषा अमावास्या कुहूः स्मृता //

Transliteration

kuheti kokilenoktaṃ yasmātkālātsamāpyate tatkālasaṃjñitā hyeṣā amāvāsyā kuhūḥ smṛtā //

Translation

It is called “Kuhū,” as spoken by the cuckoo (kokila), because at that time the lunar period comes to completion; therefore this new-moon day (amāvāsyā) is indeed designated by that time-name and is remembered as Kuhū.

Word by Word

• kuhū-iti: ‘Kuhū’—thus (as a name)

• kokilena: by the cuckoo (kokila bird)

• uktam: said/uttered

• yasmāt: because/from which reason

• kālāt: from/at the time (kāla)

• samāpyate: is completed/comes to an end

• tat-kāla-saṃjñitā: having that time as its designation/name

• hi: indeed

• eṣā: this

• amāvāsyā: the new-moon lunar day

• kuhūḥ: Kuhū (proper name of Amāvāsyā)

• smṛtā: is remembered/known in tradition

Speaker

• Sūta (traditional Purāṇic narrator) describing tithi-nomenclature within the Matsya Purana’s time-reckoning section

Entities Mentioned

• Kokila (cuckoo)
• Amāvāsyā
• Kuhū

Tags

• Tithi
• Amavasya
• Kalā
• Ritual Calendar
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it defines the new-moon tithi “Kuhū” as the time when a lunar period is said to ‘complete,’ reflecting Purāṇic cosmological time-reckoning rather than dissolution.

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

By clarifying the identity of Amāvāsyā (Kuhū), it supports correct observance of vrata, śrāddha, and monthly ritual timing—core household and royal calendrical duties in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it anchors Amāvāsyā under the name “Kuhū,” useful for scheduling new-moon rites (e.g., śrāddha, tarpaṇa, vrata). No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.