Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas

Devanagari script

सोमः श्वेतहये भाति स्यन्दने शीतरश्मिवान् हिमवत्तोयपूर्णाभिर् भाभिराह्लादयञ्जगत् //

Transliteration

somaḥ śvetahaye bhāti syandane śītaraśmivān himavattoyapūrṇābhir bhābhirāhlādayañjagat //

Translation

Soma (the Moon) shines upon a chariot drawn by white horses, cool-rayed; and with radiances filled like the waters of Himavat, he gladdens the world.

Word by Word

• सोमः (somaḥ): Soma, the Moon-god

• श्वेत-हये (śveta-haye): with white horses / drawn by white steeds

• भाति (bhāti): shines, appears radiant

• स्यन्दने (syandane): on the chariot

• शीत-रश्मि-वान् (śīta-raśmi-vān): possessing cool rays

• हिमवत्-तोय-पूर्ण-आभिः (himavat-toya-pūrṇābhiḥ): with splendors as if filled with Himavat’s waters (snow-melt, coolness, abundance)

• भाभिः (bhābhiḥ): with radiances, lights

• आह्लादयन् (āhlādayan): delighting, refreshing

• जगत् (jagat): the world.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this section of instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma (Chandra)
• Himavat (Himalaya)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Moon
• Puranic Astronomy
• Deity Iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights cosmic order through Soma’s cooling, life-pleasing radiance—an image of the sustained harmony of the universe rather than its dissolution.

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

By portraying Soma as one who ‘gladdens the world’ through cool, nourishing influence, the verse implies an ethical model for rulers and householders: governance and conduct should be soothing, sustaining, and beneficial to all—like the Moon’s calming light.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, Soma is a major deity in calendrical and lunar observances; the imagery of the moon’s cool rays supports timing rites by lunar phases. Iconographically, it reinforces Soma’s standard depiction with a chariot and white horses—useful for pratima-lakṣaṇa (image-description) contexts even when not explicitly architectural.