Shloka 62

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

Devanagari script

एकरात्रं सुराः सार्धं पितृभिरृषिभिश्च वै सोमस्य कृष्णपक्षादौ भास्कराभिमुखस्य वै //

Transliteration

ekarātraṃ surāḥ sārdhaṃ pitṛbhirṛṣibhiśca vai somasya kṛṣṇapakṣādau bhāskarābhimukhasya vai //

Translation

For a single night, at the beginning of the Moon’s dark fortnight, while facing the Sun, the gods—together with the Pitṛs (Fathers) and the Ṛṣis—are to be honored.

Word by Word

• ekarātram: for one night

• surāḥ: the gods (devas)

• sārdham: together with

• pitṛbhiḥ: with the ancestors (Pitṛs)

• ṛṣibhiḥ ca: and with the sages

• vai: indeed

• somasya: of the Moon

• kṛṣṇa-pakṣa-ādau: at the beginning of the dark fortnight

• bhāskara-abhimukhasya: of one who is facing the Sun

• vai: indeed

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s ritual instruction, traditionally within the Matsya–Manu teaching stream)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas (Surāḥ)
• Pitṛs
• Ṛṣis
• Soma (Moon)
• Bhāskara (Sun)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Tithi
• Kṛṣṇapakṣa
• Ritual-orientation

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives ritual timing and orientation—honoring devas, Pitṛs, and Ṛṣis at the start of the Moon’s dark fortnight, facing the Sun.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of maintaining dharma through properly timed ancestor rites (śrāddha), indicating an auspicious lunar phase (kṛṣṇapakṣa-ādau) and correct ritual posture (facing the Sun).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual-directional and calendrical: perform the observance for one night at the beginning of kṛṣṇapakṣa and conduct it while oriented toward the Sun (bhāskara-abhimukha), a key procedural detail in Matsya Purāṇa-style rites.