Shloka 9
Dhruva-loka as the Cosmic Pivot and the Śiśumāra-cakra
Viṣṇu’s Astral Form
ग्रहर्क्षतारामयमाधिदैविकं पापापहं मन्त्रकृतां त्रिकालम् । नमस्यत: स्मरतो वा त्रिकालं नश्येत तत्कालजमाशु पापम् ॥ ९ ॥
graharkṣatārāmayam ādhidaivikaṁ pāpāpahaṁ mantra-kṛtāṁ tri-kālam namasyataḥ smarato vā tri-kālaṁ naśyeta tat-kālajam āśu pāpam
Der Leib von Bhagavān Viṣṇu, der das Śiśumāra-Cakra bildet, ist die Wohnstatt aller Devas sowie aller Sterne und Planeten und tilgt Sünde. Wer diesen Mahāpuruṣa mit diesem Mantra dreimal täglich — morgens, mittags und abends — verehrt, wird gewiss von sündhaften Reaktionen befreit. Selbst wenn man dieser Form nur dreimal täglich Ehrerbietung erweist oder ihrer gedenkt, werden die jüngsten Sünden sogleich vernichtet.
Summarizing the entire description of the planetary systems of the universe, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that one who is able to meditate upon this arrangement as the virāṭ-rūpa, or viśva-rūpa, the external body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and worship Him three times a day by meditation will always be free from all sinful reactions. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura estimates that Dhruvaloka, the polestar, is 3,800,000 yojanas above the sun. Above Dhruvaloka by 10,000,000 yojanas is Maharloka, above Maharloka by 20,000,000 yojanas is Janaloka, above Janaloka by 80,000,000 yojanas is Tapoloka, and above Tapoloka by 120,000,000 yojanas is Satyaloka. Thus the distance from the sun to Satyaloka is 233,800,000 yojanas, or 1,870,400,000 miles. The Vaikuṇṭha planets begin 26,200,000 yojanas (209,600,000 miles) above Satyaloka. Thus the Viṣṇu Purāṇa describes that the covering of the universe is 260,000,000 yojanas (2,080,000,000 miles) away from the sun. The distance from the sun to the earth is 100,000 yojanas, and below the earth by 70,000 yojanas are the seven lower planetary systems called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talātala, Mahātala, Rasātala and Pātāla. Below these lower planets by 30,000 yojanas, Śeṣa Nāga is lying on the Garbhodaka Ocean. That ocean is 249,800,000 yojanas deep. Thus the total diameter of the universe is approximately 500,000,000 yojanas, or 4,000,000,000 miles.
FAQs
In this verse (5.23.9), Śukadeva says that offering obeisance to—or even remembering—the divine arrangement of planets, nakṣatras, and stars three times daily destroys sins that arise at that time.
Because the cosmic system is ādhidaivika—governed by divine presiding powers—and when approached through mantra, remembrance, and respectful obeisance at the daily junctions, it becomes a means of purification.
Set brief morning–midday–evening moments for mantra, prayer, or mindful remembrance of the Lord’s ordered universe; this regular devotional rhythm supports self-purification and steadiness in dharma.