Shloka 16
सोमवर्णनम्
Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana
बुधेन तानि तुल्यानि विस्तारान्मण्डलादपि प्रायशश्चन्द्रयोगीनि विद्यादृक्षाणि तत्त्ववित्
budhena tāni tulyāni vistārānmaṇḍalādapi prāyaśaścandrayogīni vidyādṛkṣāṇi tattvavit
A knower of tattva should understand that, by Budha’s (Mercury’s) measure, those lunar mansions are comparable—even in their expanse to the celestial circle (maṇḍala)—and that, for the most part, they are conjoined with the Moon, marked by lunar association.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It frames the cosmos as an ordered maṇḍala; in Shaiva practice, such cosmic order supports disciplined worship where the Pashu (soul) aligns its mind with sacred time, ultimately turning toward Pati (Shiva).
Indirectly: by stressing tattva-jñāna (principled understanding) of cosmic structure, it implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme ground in which measurable celestial patterns appear—orderly yet transcended by the Lord who is beyond measure.
Lunar alignment is implied: observing nakṣatra and Moon-conjunctions for vrata, japa, and inner regulation of manas—useful in Shaiva sādhanā where the mind is purified from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati-realization.