Shloka 21

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

तावन्त्यस्तारकाः कोट्यो यावन्त्यृक्षाणि सर्वशः ध्रुवात् तु नियमाच्चैषाम् ऋक्षमार्गे व्यवस्थितिः

Transliteration

tāvantyastārakāḥ koṭyo yāvantyṛkṣāṇi sarvaśaḥ dhruvāt tu niyamāccaiṣām ṛkṣamārge vyavasthitiḥ

Translation

So viele Sternbilder (ṛkṣa) es in alle Richtungen gibt, so viele Krore von Sternen gibt es. Und durch die ordnende Satzung, die auf Dhruva zentriert ist, bleiben sie wohlgeordnet auf dem Pfad der Sternbilder gegründet und bewegen sich in einem festen, gelenkten Lauf.

Word by Word

• tāvantyaḥ: so many

• tārakāḥ: stars

• koṭyaḥ: crores (tens of millions)

• yāvanti: as many as

• ṛkṣāṇi: constellations/lunar mansions (nakṣatras)

• sarvaśaḥ: everywhere, in all directions

• dhruvāt: from/with Dhruva (the Pole Star) as the reference

• tu: indeed

• niyamāt: due to regulation, fixed law/ordinance

• ca: and

• eṣām: of these (stars/constellations)

• ṛkṣa-mārge: on the path/track of the constellations

• vyavasthitiḥ: orderly placement, established arrangement

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva

FAQs

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

It frames the universe as governed by niyama (cosmic ordinance). In Linga worship, the devotee approaches Shiva as Pati—the supreme regulator—recognizing that all movements and destinies are held in His orderly power.

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

Though Shiva is not named directly, the verse points to a universe sustained by an intelligent, unwavering order. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, this reflects Pati’s sovereignty: the Lord establishes niyati (law) so the pashu (soul) may live within a meaningful, dharmic cosmos and progress toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is niyama—disciplined alignment with cosmic order. In a Shaiva-Pashupata context, the takeaway is to regulate conduct, breath, and worship (puja) to mirror the fixed, lawful course exemplified by the stars around Dhruva.