Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

इत्येते नामभिश्चैव दश चन्द्रमसो हयाः एवं चन्द्रमसं देवं वहन्ति स्मायुगक्षयम् //

Transliteration

ityete nāmabhiścaiva daśa candramaso hayāḥ evaṃ candramasaṃ devaṃ vahanti smāyugakṣayam //

Translation

Thus, these are the ten horses of the Moon, known by their respective names; in this very manner they bear the Moon-god onward—enduring until the close of the age (yuga).

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• ete: these

• nāmabhiḥ: by (their) names

• ca eva: and indeed

• daśa: ten

• candramasaḥ: of the Moon (Candra)

• hayāḥ: horses

• evam: thus/in this way

• candramasam: the Moon (as a deity)

• devam: the god

• vahanti: they carry/bear

• sma: (particle indicating narration/indeed, ‘it is said’)

• yuga-kṣayam: until the end/termination of a yuga

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the celestial order (as transmitted within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Candra (Moon-god)
• Candra’s ten horses

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Deities
• Celestial chariots
• Yuga

FAQs

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

It does not narrate pralaya directly; it frames cosmic continuity by stating the Moon’s ordained motion persists “until yugakṣaya,” implying the stability of celestial order across an age-cycle before larger dissolution phases.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of ṛta (cosmic order): just as the Moon’s course is regulated, kings and householders are expected to uphold regularity—calendrical observances, vows, and time-bound duties aligned with lunar timekeeping.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the Moon’s regulated movement underpins lunar months and tithis used for vrata, śrāddha, and festival timing; architecturally, no Vāstu rule is stated here, but the verse supports the broader temple-ritual calendar based on lunar reckoning.