Adhyaya 39

Verse 1

इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायां पूर्वविभागे अष्टात्रिंशो ऽध्यायः सूत उवाच अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि संक्षेपेण द्विजोत्तमाः / त्रैलोक्यस्यास्य मानं वो न शक्यं विस्तरेण तु

Thus, in the Śrī Kūrma Purāṇa, in the six-thousand-verse Saṃhitā, in the Pūrva-bhāga, the thirty-eighth chapter begins. Sūta said: “Now I shall explain, in brief, O best of the twice-born, the measure and extent of these three worlds; for it is not possible to set it forth in full detail.”

Verse 2

भूर्लोको ऽथ भुवर्लोकः स्वर्लोको ऽथ महस्ततः / जनस्तपश्च सत्यं च लोकास्त्वण्डोद्भवा मताः

Then come Bhūrloka, Bhuvarloka, Svargaloka, and thereafter Maharloka; also Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka—these worlds are understood to arise from the cosmic egg (aṇḍa).

Verse 3

सूर्याचन्द्रमसोर्यावत् किरणैरवभासते / तावद् भूर्लोक आख्यातः पुराणे द्विजपुङ्गवाः

O best of the twice-born, as far as the rays of the Sun and the Moon spread their illumination, so far is Bhūrloka, the terrestrial realm, declared to extend in this Purāṇa.

Verse 4

यावत्प्रमाणो भूर्लोको विस्तरात् परिमण्डलात् / भुवर्लोको ऽपि तावान्स्यान्मण्डलाद् भास्करस्य तु

As far as Bhūrloka extends in breadth as a circular expanse, so far too does Bhuvarloka extend—measured with reference to the maṇḍala, the orb of the Sun.

Verse 5

ऊर्ध्वंयन्मण्डलाद् व्योमध्रुवोयावद्व्यवस्थितः / स्वर्लोकः स समाख्यातस्तत्र वायोस्तु नेमयः

That realm which lies above the Sun’s orb, stretching through the sky up to the fixed Pole Star, Dhruva, is called Svarga-loka; and there the circuits and courses of the winds are established.

Verse 6

आवहः प्रवहश्चैव तथैवानुवहः परः / संवहो विवहश्चाथ तदूर्ध्वं स्यात् परावहः

The principal divisions of the Wind are ‘Āvaha’ and ‘Pravaha’, likewise the higher ‘Anuvaha’; then ‘Saṃvaha’ and ‘Vivaha’; and above these, it is said, is ‘Parāvaha’.

Verse 7

तथा परिवहश्चोर्ध्वं वायोर्वै सप्त नेमयः / भूमेर्योजनलक्षे तु भानोर्वै मण्डलं स्थितम्

Likewise, above the region of the Wind is ‘Parivaha’, the circling current with seven rims. At a distance of one hundred thousand yojanas from the earth, the Sun’s circular disc is situated.

Verse 8

लक्षे दिवाकरस्यापि मण्डलं शशिनः स्मृतम् / नक्षत्रमण्डलं कृत्स्नं तल्लक्षेण प्रकाशते

The Moon’s disc, too, is remembered to extend to one hundred thousand (yojanas); and the entire sphere of the constellations shines forth by that very measure.

Verse 9

द्वेलक्षे ह्युत्तरे विप्रा बुधो नक्षत्रमण्डलात् / तावत्प्रमाणभागे तु बुधस्याप्युशनाः स्थितः

O brāhmaṇas, Budha (Mercury) is situated two lakṣas above the circle of the nakṣatras. And within a region of the same measure, Uśanā (Venus) is positioned above Budha.

Verse 10

अङ्गारको ऽपि शुक्रस्य तत्प्रमाणो व्यवस्थितः / लक्षद्वयेन भौमस्य स्थितो देवपुरोहितः

Aṅgāraka (Mars), too, is fixed by the same measure as Śukra (Venus). The divine priest, Bṛhaspati, is stationed two lakṣas from Bhauma (Mars).

Verse 11

सौरिर्द्विलक्षेण गुरोर् ग्रहाणामथ मण्डलम् / सप्तर्षिमण्डलं तस्माल्लक्षमात्रे प्रिकाशते

Śauri (Saturn) lies two lakṣas beyond the sphere of Guru (Jupiter); and beyond that, at a distance of one lakṣa, the shining sphere of the Seven Sages (the Saptarṣis) appears.

Verse 12

ऋषीणां मण्डलादूर्ध्वं लक्षमात्रे स्थितो ध्रुवः / मेढीभूतः समस्तस्य ज्योतिश्चक्रस्य वै ध्रुवः / तत्र धर्मः स भगवान् विष्णुर्नारायणः स्थितः

Above the circle of the Saptarṣis, at a distance of one lakṣa, stands Dhruva. Dhruva indeed is the fixed pivot of the entire wheel of the luminaries. There, established as Dharma itself, abides the Blessed Lord—Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa.

Verse 13

नवयोजनसाहस्त्रो विष्कम्भः सवितुः स्मृतः / त्रिगुणस्तस्य विस्तारो मण्डलस्य प्रमाणतः

The diameter of Savitṛ (the Sun) is said to be nine thousand yojanas; and, by the proper measure of its circular disc, its expanse is three times that.

Verse 14

द्विगुणस्तस्य विस्ताराद् विस्तारः शशिनः स्मृतः / तुल्यस्तयोस्तु स्वर्भानुर्भूत्वाधस्तात् प्रसर्पति

The Moon’s diameter is said to be twice that expanse. But Svarbhānu—becoming equal in size to them—moves below, gliding beneath their path.

Verse 15

अद्धृत्य पृथिवीच्छायां निर्मितो मण्डलाकृतिः / स्वर्भानोस्तु वृहत् स्थानं तृतीयं यत् तमोमयम्

Resting upon the Earth’s shadow, a circular form is brought forth. And there is a vast third station belonging to Svarbhānu (Rāhu), whose very nature is darkness.

Verse 16

चन्द्रस्य षोडशो भागो भार्गवस्य विधीयते / भार्गवात् पादहीनस्तु विज्ञेयो वै बृहस्पतिः

One-sixteenth of the Moon is set down as the measure of Bhārgava (Venus). And Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) is to be understood as a quarter less than Bhārgava.

Verse 17

बृहस्पतेः पादहीनौ वक्रसौरावुभौ स्मृतौ / विस्तारान्मण्डलाच्चैव पादहीनस्तयोर्बुधः

Rāhu and Saturn are both spoken of as “lacking a quarter” in comparison with Bṛhaspati. And Mercury (Budha) is likewise said to be “lacking a quarter” compared to those two, because his extent and orbital sphere are smaller.

Verse 18

तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि वपुष्मन्तीह यानि वै / बुधेन तानि तुल्यानि विस्तारान्मण्डलात् तथा

Whatever luminous forms here are known as stars and constellations (tārās and nakṣatras), their extent and circular measure are also said to be comparable to that of Mercury (Budha).

Verse 19

तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि हीनानि तु परस्परात् / शतानि पञ्च चत्वारि त्रीणि द्वे चैव योजने

The star-forms and the lunar-mansion forms (tārās and nakṣatras) are set at progressively lesser intervals from one another; their mutual separations are stated in yojanas as five hundred, four hundred, three hundred, and two hundred.

Verse 20

सर्वावरनिकृष्टानि तारकामण्डलानि तु / योजनान्यर्धमात्राणि तेभ्यो ह्रस्वं न विद्यते

But the stellar spheres (tārakā-maṇḍalas), the lowest of all the coverings, are measured as half a yojana; nothing smaller than these is spoken of.

Verse 21

उपरिष्टात् त्रयस्तेषां ग्रहा ये दूरसर्पिणः / सौरो ऽङ्गिराश्च वक्रश्च ज्ञेया मन्दविचारिणः

Above those are three grahas that range far in their course: the Saurā (Saturn), Aṅgiras (Jupiter), and Vakra (Mars). They are to be understood as slow-moving.

Verse 22

तेभ्यो ऽधस्ताच्च चत्वारः पुनरन्ये महाग्रहाः / सूर्यः सौमो बुधश्चैव भार्गवश्चैव शीघ्रगाः

Below those there are again four other great celestial bodies—Sun, Moon (Soma), Mercury (Budha), and Venus (Bhārgava)—moving swiftly in their courses.

Verse 23

दक्षिणायनमार्गस्थो यदा चरति रश्मिमान् / तदा सर्वग्रहाणां स सूर्यो ऽधस्तात् प्रसर्पति

When the radiant Sun moves along the southern course (dakṣiṇāyana), then, with respect to all the planets, that Sun proceeds below their path.

Verse 24

विस्तीर्णं मण्डलं कृत्वा तस्योर्ध्वं चरते शशी / नक्षत्रमण्डलं कृत्स्नं सोमादूर्ध्वं प्रसर्पति

Having formed a broad circular sphere, above it the Moon (Śaśī) moves; and above Soma, the entire sphere of the lunar mansions (Nakṣatra-maṇḍala) extends and spreads onward.

Verse 25

नक्षत्रेभ्यो बुधश्चोर्ध्वं बुधादूर्ध्वं तु भार्गवः / वक्रस्तु भार्गवादूर्ध्वं वक्रादूर्ध्वं बृहस्पतिः

Above the nakṣatras (lunar mansions) stands Budha (Mercury). Above Budha is Bhārgava (Venus). Above Bhārgava is the planet called Vakra, and above Vakra is Bṛhaspati (Jupiter).

Verse 26

तस्माच्छनैश्चरो ऽपुयूर्ध्वं तस्मात् सप्तर्षिमण्डलम् / ऋषीणां चैव सप्तानान्ध्रु वश्चोर्ध्वं व्यवस्थितः

Above that lies the sphere of Śanaiścara (Saturn); above it is the circle of the Saptarṣi-maṇḍala (the Seven Sages). Above even those seven Ṛṣis, Dhruva—the Pole Star—is firmly established.

Verse 27

योजनानां सहस्त्राणि भास्करस्य रथो नव / ईषादण्डस्तथैव स्याद् द्विगुणो द्विजसत्तमाः

O best of the twice-born, the chariot of Bhāskara, the Sun-god, measures nine thousand yojanas; and its central drawbar is said to be twice that length.

Verse 28

सार्धकोटिस्तथा सप्त नियुतान्यधिकानि तु / योजनानां तु तस्याक्षस्तत्र चक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

Its axle measures seven koṭis of yojanas, with additional niyutas; upon that very axle the cosmic wheel is firmly set.

Verse 29

त्रिनाभिमति पञ्चारे षष्णेमिन्यक्षयात्मके / संवत्सरमेय कृत्स्नं कालचक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम्

The entire Wheel of Time, the measure of the year, is established—conceived as having three hubs, five circuits, and six rims, and as being of imperishable nature.

Verse 30

चत्कारिंशत् सहस्त्राणि द्वितीयो ऽक्षो विवस्वतः / पञ्चान्यानि तु सार्धानि स्यन्दनस्य द्विजोत्तमाः

O best of the twice-born, the Sun-god Vivasvat has a second axle measuring forty thousand (units); and the chariot has five thousand more besides.

Verse 31

अक्षप्रमाणमुभयोः प्रमाणं तद्युगार्धयोः / ह्रस्वो ऽक्षस्तद्युगार्धेन ध्रुवाधारे रथस्य तु

The measure of the axle on both sides is to be taken as the measure of the two half‑yokes. The axle is shorter by one half‑yoke; and it is to be fixed in the firm support (pivot) of the chariot.

Verse 32

द्वितीये ऽक्षे तु तच्चक्रं संस्थितं मानसाचले / हयाश्च सप्त छन्दांसि तन्नामानि निबोधत

On the second axle, that wheel is established upon the Mānasā mountain. And there are seven horses—(they are) the seven Vedic metres; learn their names.

Verse 33

गायत्री च बृहत्युष्णिक् जगती पङ्क्तिरेव च / अनष्टुप् त्रिष्टुबित्युक्ताश्छन्दांसि हरयो हरेः

Gāyatrī, Bṛhatī, Uṣṇik, Jagatī, and Paṅkti—as well as Anuṣṭubh and Triṣṭubh—these Vedic metres are declared to be the ‘Harayas’, the attendant energies of Hari (Vishnu).

Verse 34

मानसोपरि माहेन्द्री प्राच्यां दिशि महापुरी / दक्षिणे न यमस्याथ वरुणस्य तु पश्चिमे

Above (the lake) Mānasa lies the great city called Māhendrī in the eastern quarter; in the south is the city of Yama, and in the west is that of Varuṇa.

Verse 35

उत्तरेण तु सोमस्य तन्नामानि निबोधत / अमरावती संयमनी सुखा चैव विभा क्रमात्

Now learn, in due order, the names of the regions/cities to the north of Soma (the Moon): Amarāvatī, Saṃyamanī, Sukhā, and Vibhā.

Verse 36

काष्ठां गतो दक्षिणतः क्षिप्तेषुरिव सर्पति / ज्योतिषां चक्रमादाय देवदेवः प्रजापतिः

Having reached the southern quarter, he glides onward—like an arrow released, swift in its course—bearing the revolving wheel of the luminaries; thus does Prajāpati, Lord of the gods, carry forward the celestial cycle.

Verse 37

दिवसस्य रविर्मध्ये सर्वकालं व्यवस्थितः / सप्तद्वीपेषु विप्रेन्द्रा निशामध्यस्य संमुखम्

O best of brāhmaṇas, the Sun remains ever stationed at the midpoint of the day; and for the seven continents (saptadvīpas) it stands facing the midnight point, thereby regulating the measures of time.

Verse 38

उदयास्तमने चैव सर्वकालं तु संमुखे / अशेषासु दिशास्वेव तथैव विदिशासु च

At sunrise and at sunset—and indeed at all times—He stands directly before one’s gaze; in all directions without remainder, and likewise in every intermediate quarter as well.

Verse 39

कुलालचक्रपर्यन्तो भ्रमन्नेष यथेश्वरः / करोत्यहस्तथा रात्रिं विमुञ्चन् मेदिनीं द्विजाः

O twice-born sages, as a potter’s wheel spins round and round, so does this world revolve under the Lord’s governance; and by thus setting the earth in motion, He brings about day and likewise night.

Verse 40

दिवाकरकरैरेतत् पूरितं भुवनत्रयम् / त्रैलोक्यं कथितं सद्भिर्लोकानां मुनिपुङ्गवाः

By the rays of the Sun, the entire triad of worlds is pervaded and filled. Therefore, O foremost of sages, the virtuous have spoken of it among all realms as the “three worlds” (trailokya).

Verse 41

आदित्यमूलमखिलं त्रिलोकं नात्र संशयः / भवत्यस्मात् जगत् कृत्स्नं सदेवासुरमानुषम्

The entire threefold world has the Sun (Āditya) as its root—of this there is no doubt. From him arises the whole universe in its entirety, together with gods, asuras, and human beings.

Verse 42

रुद्रेन्द्रोपेन्द्रचन्द्राणां विप्रेन्द्राणां दिवौकसाम् / द्युतिर्द्युतिमतां कृत्स्नं यत्तेजः सार्वलौकिकम्

That universal radiance—by which shine Rudra, Indra, Upendra (Viṣṇu), and the Moon; by which the foremost of Brahmins and the dwellers in heaven shine—is the complete splendour of all luminous beings.

Verse 43

सर्वात्मा सर्वलोकेशो महादेवः प्रजापतिः / सूर्य एव त्रिलोकस्य मूलं परमदैवतम्

He is the Self of all, the Lord of all worlds, Mahādeva and Prajāpati; indeed, Sūrya alone is the root of the three worlds—the supreme Divinity.

Verse 44

द्वादशान्ये तथादित्या देवास्ते ये ऽधिकारिणः / निर्वहन्ति पदं तस्य तदंशा विष्णुमूर्तयः

Likewise, there are twelve other Ādityas—those gods who hold cosmic offices. They discharge the functions of that station; they are portions of him, embodiments of Viṣṇu.

Verse 45

सर्वे नमस्यन्ति सहस्त्रभानुं गन्धर्वदेवोरगकिन्वन्नराद्याः / यजन्ति यज्ञैर्विविधैर्द्विजेन्द्रा- श्छन्दोमयं ब्रह्ममयं पुराणम्

All beings—Gandharvas, Devas, Nāgas, Kiṃnaras, and the foremost among men—bow to the thousand-rayed Sun. And the best of the twice-born worship, through many kinds of sacrifices, that Purāṇa which is formed of Vedic metres and is of the very nature of Brahman.