Shloka 81

सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

इत्येष एकचक्रेण सूर्यस्तूर्णं रथेन तु हरितैरक्षरैरश्वैः सर्पते ऽसौ दिवाकरः

Transliteration

ityeṣa ekacakreṇa sūryastūrṇaṃ rathena tu haritairakṣarairaśvaiḥ sarpate 'sau divākaraḥ

Translation

Thus the Sun—the Day-maker—moves swiftly on a single-wheeled chariot, drawn by green horses that are themselves the imperishable syllables, sustaining the cosmic order in service to Pati.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• eṣaḥ: this (one)

• eka-cakreṇa: with a single wheel

• sūryaḥ: the Sun

• tūrṇam: swiftly

• rathena: by/with a chariot

• tu: indeed

• haritaiḥ: green, tawny

• akṣaraiḥ: imperishable syllables (akṣara)

• aśvaiḥ: by horses

• sarpate: glides/moves onward

• asau: that (very one)

• divākaraḥ: maker of the day, the Sun

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic motion as sacred order upheld by imperishable sound (akṣara), implying that worship of the Linga honors the Pati who empowers and regulates all luminous powers like Surya.

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

By portraying Surya’s movement as grounded in akṣara (imperishable principle), it points to Shiva-tattva as the transcendental, unchanging Pati whose śakti sustains changing cosmic functions without being altered.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa and contemplation of akṣara (mantra-syllables) are implied: aligning the pashu’s mind with imperishable sound loosens pāśa and harmonizes the practitioner with the cosmic rhythm governed by Pati.