Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

स्थितेन त्वेकचक्रेण पञ्चारेण त्रिणाभिना हिरण्मयेनाणुना वै अष्टचक्रैकनेमिना चक्रेण भास्वता सूर्यः स्यन्दनेन प्रसर्पिणा //

Transliteration

sthitena tvekacakreṇa pañcāreṇa triṇābhinā hiraṇmayenāṇunā vai aṣṭacakraikaneminā cakreṇa bhāsvatā sūryaḥ syandanena prasarpiṇā //

Translation

But the radiant Sun moves onward in his swiftly coursing chariot by means of a fixed single wheel—golden and subtle, with five spokes and three hubs—together with a shining wheel that forms one rim for eight wheels.

Word by Word

• स्थितेन: fixed/steady

• तु: but

• एकचक्रेण: with a single wheel

• पञ्चारेण: with five spokes

• त्रिणाभिना: with three hubs/navels

• हिरण्मयेन: made of gold

• अणुना: subtle/minute

• वै: indeed

• अष्टचक्रैकनेमिना: having one rim (nemi) for eight wheels / an eightfold-wheeled single-rimmed form

• चक्रेण: by/with a wheel

• भास्वता: shining/radiant

• सूर्यः: the Sun

• स्यन्दनेन: with the chariot

• प्रसर्पिणा: moving onward/gliding swiftly.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to this narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Syandana (chariot)
• Chakra (wheel)

Tags

• Surya
• Cosmology
• Astral mechanics
• Iconography
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes the Sun’s motion through a technical image of wheels and spokes, reflecting Puranic cosmology rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through cosmological order: the Sun’s regulated course symbolizes time-discipline (kāla), which underlies daily rites, governance schedules, and household observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it reinforces Surya-upāsanā (Sun veneration) by detailing the Sun’s chariot symbolism; iconography can mirror these features (wheel/spokes) in Surya imagery and temple relief programs.