Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

यदा चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च नक्षत्राणां समागतौ अमावास्यां निवसत एकस्मिन्नथ मण्डले //

Transliteration

yadā candraśca sūryaśca nakṣatrāṇāṃ samāgatau amāvāsyāṃ nivasata ekasminnatha maṇḍale //

Translation

When the Moon and the Sun come together in relation to the nakṣatras (lunar mansions), then on the night of Amāvāsyā (new moon) they are said to dwell within a single sphere, that is, in the same celestial circle.

Word by Word

• यदा (yadā): when

• चन्द्रः (candraḥ): the Moon

• च (ca): and

• सूर्यः (sūryaḥ): the Sun

• च (ca): and

• नक्षत्राणाम् (nakṣatrāṇām): of the nakṣatras/lunar mansions

• समागतौ (samāgatau): having come together, conjoined

• अमावास्याम् (amāvāsyām): on Amāvāsyā, the new-moon day/night

• निवसतः (nivasataḥ): they dwell/abide

• एकस्मिन् (ekasmin): in one, in a single

• अथ (atha): then/thereupon

• मण्डले (maṇḍale): in a circle/orb/sphere (celestial sphere).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Chandra
• Surya
• Nakshatras
• Amavasya

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Amavasya
• Tithi
• Nakshatra
• Kalachakra

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe Pralaya; it defines the astronomical condition of Amāvāsyā as the Moon and Sun occupying a single celestial circle, a calendrical marker often used to time rites in wider Purāṇic contexts.

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

It supports dharmic timekeeping: kings and householders schedule śrāddha, darśa rites, fasts, and other observances by correctly identifying Amāvāsyā—when Sun and Moon are in conjunction—so ritual acts align with prescribed tithi-nakṣatra timing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it indicates the precise Amāvāsyā configuration used for choosing vrata and śrāddha timings; by extension, such tithi determination is also applied in selecting auspicious days for temple consecrations and Vāstu-related ceremonies.