Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

वर्षं घर्मं हिमं रात्रिं संध्ये चैव दिनं तथा शुभाशुभफलानीह ध्रुवात्सर्वं प्रवर्तते //

Transliteration

varṣaṃ gharmaṃ himaṃ rātriṃ saṃdhye caiva dinaṃ tathā śubhāśubhaphalānīha dhruvātsarvaṃ pravartate //

Translation

Rainy season, summer heat, winter cold, night, twilight, and day—as well as the auspicious and inauspicious results of deeds in this world—all proceed under the governance of Dhruva (the Pole Star).

Word by Word

• वर्षम् (varṣam): the rainy season

• घर्मम् (gharmam): summer heat

• हिमम् (himam): winter/cold season

• रात्रिम् (rātrim): night

• संध्ये (saṃdhye): the twilights (dawn and dusk)

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• दिनम् (dinam): day

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• शुभ-अशुभ-फलानि (śubhāśubha-phalāni): auspicious and inauspicious fruits/results

• इह (iha): here, in this world

• ध्रुवात् (dhruvāt): from/under Dhruva (Pole Star)

• सर्वम् (sarvam): everything

• प्रवर्तते (pravartate): proceeds, operates, is set in motion

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to this discourse layer of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva (Pole Star)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Karmaphala
• Time
• Dharma
• Astro-cosmology

FAQs

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

It emphasizes cosmic regulation rather than dissolution: even changing seasons, day-night cycles, and karmic outcomes are portrayed as operating through a fixed cosmic order symbolized by Dhruva.

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

By presenting time and results as orderly and governed, it supports dharmic living: a king or householder should align conduct, rituals, and governance with proper times (day, twilight, seasons) and accept that deeds yield definite auspicious or inauspicious fruits.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights sandhyā (twilight) as a distinct sacred time for observances (e.g., sandhyā-vandana); architecturally, it indirectly supports Vastu practice that considers solar direction and time cycles, though no explicit building rule is stated in this verse.