Shloka 9
दक्षिणा-दिक्, पितृपक्ष-प्रतिष्ठा, तथा कर्मगतिः — Suparṇa’s Cosmographic Instruction
अत एव च सर्वेषां पूर्वामाशां प्रचक्षते । ब्रह्मन्! इन्हीं सब कारणोंसे इस दिशाको 'पूर्वा' कहते हैं; क्योंकि अत्यन्त पूर्वकालमें पहले यही दिशा देवताओंसे आवृत हुई थी, अतएव इसे सबकी आदि दिशा कहते हैं ।।
ata eva ca sarveṣāṃ pūrvām āśāṃ pracakṣate | brahman! pūrvaṃ sarvāṇi kāryāṇi daivāni sukham īpsatā |
Therefore, O Brahmin, this quarter is called ‘the East’ (pūrvā). Because in the most ancient time it was first encompassed by the gods, it is spoken of as the primal direction of all. Hence, one who seeks well-being should first perform all rites connected with the gods facing the East—placing the divine first, and aligning action with auspicious order.
युपर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the East is regarded as the primal direction because it was first associated with the gods in ancient time; therefore, those seeking welfare should begin divine/ritual acts facing the East, aligning practice with auspicious cosmic order.
Yuparṇa explains to a Brahmin why the eastern quarter is called ‘pūrvā’ and draws a practical rule from it: divine rites should be undertaken first in relation to the East by those who desire happiness.