Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Rite and Glory of Meru-Dāna: The Tenfold ‘Gift of Meru’ and Mountain-Offe...

Devanagari script

शुक्लपक्षे तृतीयायाम् उपरागे शशिक्षये विवाहोत्सवयज्ञेषु द्वादश्यामथ वा पुनः //

Transliteration

śuklapakṣe tṛtīyāyām uparāge śaśikṣaye vivāhotsavayajñeṣu dvādaśyāmatha vā punaḥ //

Translation

In the bright fortnight, on the third lunar day, and again at the time of an eclipse—when the Moon is waning—these times are prescribed for marriage-rites, festive celebrations, and sacrificial ceremonies; likewise, the twelfth lunar day too is again recommended.

Word by Word

• śukla-pakṣe: in the bright fortnight

• tṛtīyāyām: on the third (tithi)

• uparāge: at the time of an eclipse/astral obscuration

• śaśi-kṣaye: when the Moon wanes/at lunar decline

• vivāha-utsava-yajñeṣu: in marriages, festivals, and sacrifices

• dvādaśyām: on the twelfth (tithi)

• atha vā punaḥ: and also again/alternatively, again (as an additional option)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Śaśin (Moon)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Tithi
• Muhūrta
• Yajña

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it focuses on dharma-oriented calendrical guidance—selecting tithis and special celestial conditions (like eclipses) for rites.

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

It supports the householder’s duty to perform saṃskāras and yajñas at properly sanctioned times; for a king, it reinforces maintaining public dharma by aligning state rituals and social ceremonies with authoritative calendrical prescriptions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is muhūrta-selection: Shukla Paksha Tritiya and Dvadashi are highlighted as suitable tithis for vivāha, utsava, and yajña, with eclipse/waning-moon conditions also treated as ritually significant time-markers.