Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः भ्रमन्ति कथमेतानि ज्योतींषि रविमण्डले अव्यूहेनैव सर्वाणि तथा चासंकरेण वा //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ bhramanti kathametāni jyotīṃṣi ravimaṇḍale avyūhenaiva sarvāṇi tathā cāsaṃkareṇa vā //

Translation

The sages said: “How do these luminaries move within the solar sphere—each abiding in its own course, without disorder, and without mutual intermingling or collision?”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• bhramanti: move/ घूमते हैं

• katham: how

• etāni: these

• jyotīṃṣi: lights/luminaries (heavenly bodies)

• ravimaṇḍale: in the orb/sphere of the Sun

• avyūhena: without disarray/without disruption of arrangement

• eva: indeed

• sarvāṇi: all of them

• tathā: and likewise

• ca: and

• asaṃkareṇa: without mixing/interference (no interpenetration/collision)

• vā: or/indeed (emphatic alternative)

Speaker

• The sages (Ṛṣis), addressing the principal narrator/teacher in this dialogue (traditionally Lord Matsya instructing Manu and the sages).

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣis
• Ravi (Sun)
• Jyotīṃṣi (luminaries)

Tags

• Jyotiṣa
• Cosmology
• Solar Sphere
• Order of the Heavens
• Puranic Astronomy

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights the sustained cosmic order—how heavenly bodies move in an arranged system without disorder or collision—an idea often contrasted with Pralaya, when normal cosmic structures are withdrawn.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

By emphasizing “avyūha” (order) and “asaṃkara” (non-interference), the verse implicitly models dharmic governance: a king should maintain social order so that roles and duties function without confusion, conflict, or harmful overlap.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated, but the principle of precise, non-overlapping arrangement mirrors Vāstu planning logic—proper placement and clear boundaries so functions do not ‘mix’ (asaṃkara) and the layout remains orderly (avyūha).