Shloka 20

भुवनकोशविन्यासनिर्णयः (ज्योतिर्गति-वृष्टिचक्र-वर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

कुलालचक्रमध्यं तु यथा मन्दं प्रसर्पति तथोदगयने सूर्यः सर्पते मन्दविक्रमः

Transliteration

kulālacakramadhyaṃ tu yathā mandaṃ prasarpati tathodagayane sūryaḥ sarpate mandavikramaḥ

Translation

As the hub of a potter’s wheel creeps forward slowly, so in Udāgayana—the Sun’s northern course—the Sun advances with a gentle, measured stride.

Word by Word

• कुलाल (kulāla): potter

• चक्र (cakra): wheel

• मध्यं (madhyaṃ): the middle, hub

• तु (tu): indeed

• यथा (yathā): just as

• मन्दं (mandaṃ): slowly, gently

• प्रसर्पति (prasarpati): moves onward, creeps forward

• तथा (tathā): so, in the same way

• उदगयने (udagayane): in the northern course of the sun (uttarāyaṇa)

• सूर्यः (sūryaḥ): the Sun

• सर्पते (sarpate): moves, glides, creeps

• मन्दविक्रमः (mandavikramaḥ): of gentle stride, slow in movement

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It links sacred observance to kala (time): Shiva-puja, vrata, and dana gain clarity and potency when aligned with cosmic rhythms like uttarayana, reflecting reverence for Pati as the Lord of Time (Kala).

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

By describing the Sun’s measured course, the verse indirectly points to Shiva-tattva as the regulator behind cosmic order—Kala and Niyati operate as expressions of Pati’s governance, while the pashu remains bound by time until liberated.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Time-discipline (kala-niyama): undertaking puja, vrata, japa, and dana with awareness of uttarayana/dakshinayana, using cosmic order to steady the mind—supportive of Pashupata-oriented self-regulation.