Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

अपां सारमयस्येन्दो रसमात्रात्मकस्य च पिबन्त्यम्बुमयं देवा मधु सौम्यं तथामृतम् //

Transliteration

apāṃ sāramayasyendo rasamātrātmakasya ca pibantyambumayaṃ devā madhu saumyaṃ tathāmṛtam //

Translation

O gentle one, the gods drink what is made of water—the honey-like Soma and also amṛta (nectar); for Soma (the Moon), formed from the essence of the waters, is in nature pure rasa (sap) alone.

Word by Word

• अपाम् (apām): of the waters

• सार-मयस्य (sāra-mayasya): consisting of the essence/quintessence

• इन्दोः (indoḥ): of Indu, i.e., Soma/Moon

• रस-मात्र-आत्मकस्य (rasa-mātra-ātmakasya): whose very being is nothing but rasa/juice/essence

• च (ca): and

• पिबन्ति (pibanti): drink

• अम्बु-मयम् (ambu-mayam): made of water, watery in substance

• देवाः (devāḥ): the gods

• मधु (madhu): honey/sweet drink

• सौम्यम् (saumyam): Soma-related, gentle, lunar (Soma)

• तथा (tathā): likewise/and also

• अमृतम् (amṛtam): nectar, immortality-conferring ambrosia.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual cosmological discourse within the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Indu (Soma/Moon)
• Devas
• Soma
• Amrita
• Ap (Waters)

Tags

• Soma
• Amrita
• Cosmology
• Devas
• Rasa

FAQs

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

It frames “waters” as a primordial substrate whose essence becomes Soma and amṛta—hinting at a cosmology where life-sustaining essences arise from ap (waters), a key element repeatedly emphasized in creation and re-creation cycles.

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

Indirectly, it supports the dharmic ideal of sustaining life through proper nourishment and ritual order: rulers and householders uphold yajña/offerings where Soma symbolism represents vitality, lawful enjoyment, and the maintenance of cosmic balance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to Soma/amṛta as sacred ‘essence’ (rasa) tied to offerings and consecratory contexts; while not a Vāstu rule, it reinforces the purity and primacy of water-based sanctifying substances used in temple and rite procedures.