Shloka 23

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

उच्चत्वाद्दृश्यते शीघ्रं नातिव्यक्तैर्गभस्तिभिः तदा दक्षिणमार्गस्थो नीचां वीथिमुपाश्रितः

Transliteration

uccatvāddṛśyate śīghraṃ nātivyaktairgabhastibhiḥ tadā dakṣiṇamārgastho nīcāṃ vīthimupāśritaḥ

Translation

Weil er höher steht, erscheint er rasch zu ziehen, obgleich seine Strahlen nicht sehr deutlich sind; dann, auf der Südbahn (dakṣiṇa) befindlich, nimmt er die niedrigere Spur an.

Word by Word

• उच्चत्वात्: due to (his) height/elevation

• दृश्यते: is seen/appears

• शीघ्रम्: quickly

• न: not

• अतिव्यक्तैः: very manifest/clearly distinguished

• गभस्तिभिः: with rays/beams

• तदा: then

• दक्षिणमार्गस्थः: abiding in the southern path (dakṣiṇāyana)

• नीचाम्: lower

• वीथिम्: track/path/orbit

• उपाश्रितः: having resorted to/taken refuge in

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic motion (the southern course and lower track) as part of Shiva-governed ṛta and kāla; Linga worship aligns the pashu’s life with that higher order under Pati, reducing pasha through disciplined observance.

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

Though Shiva is not named directly, the verse points to the regulated functioning of time and celestial paths—an expression of Pati as the inner governor (niyantṛ) of kāla, through whom order appears even in changing visibility and motion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Seasonal and time-aware observance—timing vrata, japa, and puja with dakṣiṇāyana/uttarāyana—is implied; in a Shaiva frame this supports Pashupata discipline by training the pashu to live in harmony with kāla rather than being driven by pasha.