Shloka 20

सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

ग्रामणीयक्षभूतानि कुर्वते ऽभीषुसंग्रहम् सर्पा वहन्ति वै सूर्यं यातुधाना अनुयान्ति च

Transliteration

grāmaṇīyakṣabhūtāni kurvate 'bhīṣusaṃgraham sarpā vahanti vai sūryaṃ yātudhānā anuyānti ca

Translation

Die führenden Yakṣas und Bhūtas sammeln die Strahlen der Sonne; die Nāgas tragen Sūrya wahrlich, und die Yātudhānas ziehen in seinem Gefolge. So wird die niyati—die kosmische Ordnung des Herrn—durch die bestellten Scharen aufrechterhalten.

Word by Word

• grāmaṇī: leader/foremost

• yakṣa: yaksha nature-spirit/guardian being

• bhūtāni: elemental beings/spirits

• kurvate: they do/perform

• abhīṣu: rays (of the sun)

• saṃgraham: gathering/collecting

• sarpāḥ: serpents/nāgas

• vahanti: carry/bear

• vai: indeed

• sūryam: the Sun (Surya)

• yātudhānāḥ: yatudhanas (occult/demonic beings)

• anuyānti: follow/attend

• ca: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Yakshas
• Bhutas
• Nagas (Serpents)
• Yatudhanas

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames the cosmos as a regulated procession of powers—rays, carriers, and attendants—implying that worship of the Linga (Pati) honors the supreme governor behind all cosmic functions, including the Sun’s movement and radiance.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though Shiva is not named, the verse points to niyati (cosmic governance): diverse beings perform assigned roles. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, this reflects Pati’s sovereignty—Shiva as the unseen Lord who orders pasha-bound hosts to maintain the world-process.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative Pashupata-style insight is suggested: meditate on the Sun’s rays and cosmic procession as manifestations of ordered power, cultivating vairagya and devotion to Pati (Shiva) who stands beyond pasha and directs all functions.