Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

मधुमाधवयोर्ह्येष गणो वसति भास्करे वसन्ग्रीष्मे तु द्वौ मासौ मित्रश्च वरुणश्च वै //

Transliteration

madhumādhavayorhyeṣa gaṇo vasati bhāskare vasangrīṣme tu dvau māsau mitraśca varuṇaśca vai //

Translation

This very troop (of deities) abides in the Sun during the months of Madhu and Mādhava. In the seasons of spring and summer, those two months are indeed presided over by Mitra and Varuṇa.

Word by Word

• madhumādhavayoḥ: of (the months) Madhu and Mādhava

• hi: indeed

• eṣaḥ: this

• gaṇaḥ: group/troop (of deities/attendants)

• vasati: dwells/abides

• bhāskare: in the Sun (Bhāskara)

• vasan-grīṣme: in spring and summer

• tu: and/indeed

• dvau: two

• māsau: months

• mitraḥ: Mitra (solar deity of friendship/contract)

• ca: and

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa (deity of cosmic order/waters)

• ca: and

• vai: certainly/indeed

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhaskara (Surya)
• Madhu (month)
• Madhava (month)
• Mitra
• Varuna

Tags

• Surya
• Ritu
• Hindu calendar
• Aditya-devatas
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines cosmic order through timekeeping—how deities are assigned to the Sun across specific months and seasons, reflecting ṛta (regulated order) rather than dissolution.

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

By identifying the presiding deities of months/seasons, it supports dharmic scheduling—choosing appropriate times for vows, donations, public rites, and seasonal responsibilities (e.g., governance, agriculture, and household observances) in alignment with the Purāṇic calendar.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it aids Surya-related observances by linking months to specific deities (Mitra and Varuṇa), which can guide mantra/devatā selection and seasonal worship; it does not provide direct Vāstu or temple-construction rules in this verse.