Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

त्रयस्त्रिंशत्सहस्राणि देवाः सोमं पिबन्ति वै इत्येवं पीयमानस्य कृष्णे वर्धन्ति ताः कलाः //

Transliteration

trayastriṃśatsahasrāṇi devāḥ somaṃ pibanti vai ityevaṃ pīyamānasya kṛṣṇe vardhanti tāḥ kalāḥ //

Translation

The gods—thirty-three thousand in number—indeed drink Soma. Thus, as it is drunk in this manner, in the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) those lunar portions (kalās) increase.

Word by Word

• trayastriṃśat-sahasrāṇi: thirty-three thousand

• devāḥ: the gods

• somaṃ: Soma (the lunar Soma/nectar)

• pibanti: drink

• vai: indeed

• iti evaṃ: thus, in this manner

• pīyamānasya: of (Soma) being drunk/while being drunk

• kṛṣṇe: in the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa)

• vardhanti: increase/grow

• tāḥ: those

• kalāḥ: digits/parts (of the Moon)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Soma
• Krishna Paksha
• Kala (Moon’s digits)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Soma
• Moon
• Paksha
• Kalā

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains a cosmological mechanism—how Soma and the Moon’s kalās are affected by divine consumption—used in Purāṇic accounts of time, cycles, and celestial order.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through calendrical order: understanding pakṣas (fortnights) underpins correct timing for rites, vows, śrāddha, and royal/public ceremonies that a king and householder are expected to maintain.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to Soma as sacred nectar and to pakṣa-based timing; many offerings and observances are scheduled by kṛṣṇa-pakṣa/śukla-pakṣa. No direct Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.