Shloka 59

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

Devanagari script

एवमाप्यायते सोमः शुक्लपक्षेष्वहःक्रमात् ततो द्वितीयाप्रभृति बहुलस्य चतुर्दशी //

Transliteration

evamāpyāyate somaḥ śuklapakṣeṣvahaḥkramāt tato dvitīyāprabhṛti bahulasya caturdaśī //

Translation

Thus Soma (the Moon) is replenished day by day during the bright fortnight; thereafter, beginning from the second lunar day (tithi), he diminishes through the dark fortnight up to the fourteenth.

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• āpyāyate: increases, is nourished, waxes

• somaḥ: Soma, the Moon

• śukla-pakṣeṣu: in the bright fortnight

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

• tataḥ: then, thereafter

• dvitīyā-prabhṛti: starting from the second (tithi)

• bahulasya: of the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa)

• caturdaśī: the fourteenth lunar day

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma

Tags

• Cosmology
• LunarCalendar
• Tithi
• Timekeeping
• RitualTiming

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains cyclical cosmic regulation—Soma’s waxing and waning—which is part of the Purana’s broader view of orderly time cycles that continue across creations.

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

By clarifying tithi-based lunar change, it supports correct observance of vratas, śrāddha, and monthly rites; a householder and a king are expected to sponsor and perform rituals at proper lunar timings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is calendrical: many temple rites and vrata observances depend on śukla/kṛṣṇa pakṣa and specific tithis (e.g., caturdaśī), so knowing Soma’s waxing/waning guides correct scheduling.