Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

इत्येवं सूर्यवीर्येण चन्द्रस्याप्यायते तनुः पौर्णमास्यां प्रदृश्येत शुक्लः सम्पूर्णमण्डलः //

Transliteration

ityevaṃ sūryavīryeṇa candrasyāpyāyate tanuḥ paurṇamāsyāṃ pradṛśyeta śuklaḥ sampūrṇamaṇḍalaḥ //

Translation

Thus, by the Sun’s vital potency, the Moon’s body is nourished and increases; and on the full-moon night it is seen as bright—its orb complete and entire.

Word by Word

• iti evam: thus, in this manner

• sūrya-vīryeṇa: by the Sun’s potency/energy

• candrasya: of the Moon

• āpyāyate: is nourished, waxes, increases

• tanuḥ: body, form

• paurṇamāsyām: on the full-moon day/night (Paurṇimā)

• pradṛśyeta: is seen, appears

• śuklaḥ: white, bright, luminous

• sampūrṇa-maṇḍalaḥ: having a complete disc/orb

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s teaching on lunar waxing as dependent on solar energy)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Chandra (Moon)
• Paurṇimā (Full Moon)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotiṣa
• Moon phases
• Paurṇimā
• Solar energy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains a cosmological mechanism—how the Moon waxes through the Sun’s potency—supporting the Purāṇic model of an ordered universe governed by celestial principles.

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

By grounding the lunar cycle in cosmic order, it supports dharmic timekeeping: householders and rulers schedule vratas, dāna, and public rites by tithi—especially Paurṇimā—so governance and domestic ritual align with auspicious calendrical rhythms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is calendrical: Paurṇimā is highlighted as the moment of the Moon’s complete brilliance, a key timing marker for full-moon worship, fasts, offerings, and temple rites that follow lunar tithis.