Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

आपूर्यते परो भागः सोमस्य तु अहःक्रमात् ततः पीतक्षयं सोमं युपगद्व्यापयन् रविः //

Transliteration

āpūryate paro bhāgaḥ somasya tu ahaḥkramāt tataḥ pītakṣayaṃ somaṃ yupagadvyāpayan raviḥ //

Translation

Day by day, the further portion of Soma (the Moon) becomes filled in due order. Thereafter, when Soma has been diminished by being ‘drunk’ by the gods, Ravi (the Sun), moving on his course, causes Soma to wane to depletion.

Word by Word

• āpūryate: becomes filled/increases

• paraḥ bhāgaḥ: the further/other portion (the remaining part)

• somasya: of Soma/the Moon

• tu: indeed

• ahaḥ-kramāt: in the क्रम (sequence) of days, day by day

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• pīta-kṣayam: diminished to loss by being drunk/consumed

• somam: Soma/the Moon

• (yūpaga-)dvyāpayan: causing to diminish/waste away (by spreading/affecting it on the course)

• raviḥ: Ravi, the Sun

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in Purāṇic cosmology/astronomy)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma (Moon)
• Ravi (Sun)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Moon phases
• Sun
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it explains a cyclical cosmic process—how the Moon waxes and wanes—showing orderly celestial regulation rather than dissolution.

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

By grounding time in lunar change, it supports dharma based on calendrical observance—tithis, fasting days, śrāddha timing, and ritual scheduling—key responsibilities for householders and rulers who maintain public rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is calendrical: lunar waxing/waning underlies tithi-based rites (vratas, darśa-pūrṇamāsa, śrāddha). No direct Vāstu/temple-measurement rule is stated in this verse.