Shloka 16

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

बुधेन तानि तुल्यानि विस्तारान्मण्डलादपि प्रायशश्चन्द्रयोगीनि विद्यादृक्षाणि तत्त्ववित्

Transliteration

budhena tāni tulyāni vistārānmaṇḍalādapi prāyaśaścandrayogīni vidyādṛkṣāṇi tattvavit

Translation

Ein Kenner der Tattvas soll verstehen, dass nach dem Maß Budhas (Merkur) jene Mondstationen vergleichbar sind — selbst in ihrer Ausdehnung zum Himmelskreis (Maṇḍala) — und dass sie zumeist mit dem Mond verbunden sind, also von lunarer Zuordnung geprägt.

Word by Word

• बुधेन: by Mercury / through Budha’s measure

• तानि: those (asterisms/nakṣatras)

• तुल्यानि: equal, comparable

• विस्तारात्: in extent, by expanse

• मण्डलात् अपि: even to the sphere/circle (of the heavens)

• प्रायशः: for the most part, generally

• चन्द्र-योगीनि: joined with the Moon, lunar-associated

• विद्याद्: should know/should understand

• ऋक्षाणि: lunar mansions/asterisms (nakṣatras)

• तत्त्व-वित्: knower of truth/principles (tattva-knower)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Budha (Mercury)
• Chandra (Moon)

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos as an ordered maṇḍala; in Shaiva practice, such cosmic order supports disciplined worship where the Pashu (soul) aligns its mind with sacred time, ultimately turning toward Pati (Shiva).

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

Indirectly: by stressing tattva-jñāna (principled understanding) of cosmic structure, it implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme ground in which measurable celestial patterns appear—orderly yet transcended by the Lord who is beyond measure.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Lunar alignment is implied: observing nakṣatra and Moon-conjunctions for vrata, japa, and inner regulation of manas—useful in Shaiva sādhanā where the mind is purified from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati-realization.