Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

इत्येष पर्वसंधीनां कालो वै द्विलवः स्मृतः पर्वणां तुल्यकालस्तु तुल्याहुतिवषट्क्रियाः //

Transliteration

ityeṣa parvasaṃdhīnāṃ kālo vai dvilavaḥ smṛtaḥ parvaṇāṃ tulyakālastu tulyāhutivaṣaṭkriyāḥ //

Translation

Thus, the time-span of the junctions (sandhi) between the ritual parvas is traditionally understood to be two lavas; and when the parvas have equal duration, the oblations (āhuti) and the vaṣaṭ-acclamations in the rite are to be performed in equal measure as well.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• eṣaḥ: this

• parva-saṃdhīnām: of the junctions (sandhis) of parvas/ritual divisions

• kālaḥ: time-span

• vai: indeed

• dvi-lavaḥ: two lavas (a small unit of time)

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/held to be

• parvaṇām: of the parvas (ritual periods/sections)

• tulya-kālaḥ: equal in duration

• tu: and/indeed

• tulya-āhuti: equal oblations

• vaṣaṭ-kriyāḥ: the acts involving the vaṣaṭ call (ritual exclamation accompanying offerings).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Parva
• Sandhi
• Lava
• Vaṣaṭ

Tags

• RitualTiming
• Kalavibhaga
• Sandhi
• Homa
• VedicRite

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a technical rule on ritual timekeeping, defining the duration of parva-junctions (sandhis) as two lavas.

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

For a king or householder who sponsors yajñas, it stresses disciplined scheduling: offerings (āhuti) and vaṣaṭ recitations should be proportionate and evenly performed when ritual segments are of equal duration.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it standardizes the ‘sandhi’ time (two lavas) and prescribes equalized homa actions—equal oblations and vaṣaṭ-acts—when parvas are equal, supporting precise liturgical procedure.