Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Attendant Hosts of the Sun and Moon: Monthly Gaṇas

Devanagari script

हैमन्तिकौ च द्वौ मासौ निवसन्ति दिवाकरे अंशो भगश्च द्वावेतौ कश्यपश्च क्रतुश्च तौ //

Transliteration

haimantikau ca dvau māsau nivasanti divākare aṃśo bhagaśca dvāvetau kaśyapaśca kratuśca tau //

Translation

During the two winter months (Hemanta), these dwell in the Sun: the two Ādityas—Aṁśa and Bhaga—and likewise the two sages—Kaśyapa and Kratu.

Word by Word

• haimantikau: pertaining to Hemanta (winter)

• ca: and

• dvau: two

• māsau: months

• nivasanti: dwell/abide

• divākare: in the Sun (the day-maker)

• aṁśaḥ: Aṁśa (an Āditya)

• bhagaḥ: Bhaga (an Āditya)

• ca: and

• dvau: two

• etau: these

• kaśyapaḥ: Kaśyapa (sage)

• ca: and

• kratuḥ: Kratu (sage)

• ca: and

• tau: those two

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Divakara)
• Aṁśa
• Bhaga
• Kaśyapa
• Kratu

Tags

• Cosmology
• Timekeeping
• Adityas
• Rishis
• Solar months

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines cosmic order by mapping winter months to specific Ādityas and sages residing in the Sun, emphasizing regulated time as part of sustained creation.

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

By grounding the calendar in divine-cosmic correspondences, it supports dharmic scheduling—choosing proper seasons/months for rites, governance cycles, and household observances aligned with the Purāṇic view of time.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it aids timing: Hemanta is linked with Aṁśa and Bhaga, guiding season-appropriate observances; architecturally it is indirect, but such calendrical mappings are often used to select auspicious periods for temple building and consecration in related Purāṇic practice.