Shloka 27

Measurements of the Sun’s Chariot, the Wheel of Time, and the Retinues of the Solar Months; Chariots of Soma and the Grahas

Devanagari script

पद्मरागारुणैरश्वैः संयुक्तो वह्निसंभवैः / अष्टाभिः पाण्डरैर्युक्तैर्वाजिभिः काञ्चने रथे

Transliteration

padmarāgāruṇairaśvaiḥ saṃyukto vahnisaṃbhavaiḥ / aṣṭābhiḥ pāṇḍarairyuktairvājibhiḥ kāñcane rathe

Translation

Auf einem goldenen Wagen ist er mit feuergeborenen Pferden, rot wie Padmarāga-Rubine, angespannt und zudem mit acht blassweißen Rossen verbunden.

Word by Word

• पद्मरागारुणैः: with ruby-red (ones)
• पद्मरागारुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्मराग (प्रातिपदिक) + अरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; समासः—कर्मधारयः (पद्मरागवत् अरुणः)

• अश्वैः: with horses
• अश्वैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• संयुक्तः: joined, yoked
• संयुक्तः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + युज् (धातु) → संयुक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः भूतकर्मणि/भूतभावे; विशेषणम् (रथस्य)

• वह्निसंभवैः: born of fire
• वह्निसंभवैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वह्नेः सम्भवाः)

• अष्टाभिः: with eight
• अष्टाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• पाण्डरैः: with white/pale (ones)
• पाण्डरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाण्डर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• युक्तैः: yoked, harnessed
• युक्तैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) → युक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः; विशेषणम् (वाजिभिः)

• वाजिभिः: with steeds
• वाजिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• काञ्चने: in/on the golden
• काञ्चने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (रथे)

• रथे: in/on the chariot
• रथे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Elemental origins (fire-born) and color-forms signify differentiated cosmic functions affecting embodied life.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-vaiśiṣṭya within prakṛti; the Self remains untouched though experiences appear through cosmic instruments.

Application: When encountering intense ‘fiery’ phases (conflict/drive), channel energy into disciplined action and restraint; seek balance (pāṇḍura/whitening) through sattvic habits.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: celestial chariot-path

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.58 (continued graha-ratha-varṇana)

FAQs

What is the importance of the golden chariot imagery in the Garuda Purana?

It conveys divine authority and cosmic order—depicting a powerful celestial conveyance marked by radiant gold and extraordinary steeds, reinforcing the sacred, otherworldly setting of the narration.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by establishing a vivid celestial context and the presence of divine forces, it frames the broader Garuda Purana discourse on otherworldly realms and the structured governance of destiny beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder of reverence for dharma and the unseen moral order—live ethically and keep devotional focus, since the Purana situates human life within a larger, divinely governed cosmos.