Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

अहर्नाभिस्तु सूर्यस्य एकचक्रस्य वै स्मृतः अराः संवत्सरास्तस्य नेम्यः षडृतवः स्मृताः //

Transliteration

aharnābhistu sūryasya ekacakrasya vai smṛtaḥ arāḥ saṃvatsarāstasya nemyaḥ ṣaḍṛtavaḥ smṛtāḥ //

Translation

In the Sun’s single wheel, the day is remembered as the hub; its spokes are the years, and its rim is known to be the six seasons.

Word by Word

• ahar: day

• nābhiḥ: hub/navel (central hub)

• tu: indeed

• sūryasya: of the Sun

• eka-cakrasya: of the single wheel

• vai: verily

• smṛtaḥ/smṛtāḥ: is/are remembered (as)

• arāḥ: spokes

• saṃvatsarāḥ: years

• tasya: of that (wheel)

• nemyaḥ: rim/felloe

• ṣaṭ-ṛtavaḥ: the six seasons

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (Sun)
• Kala-chakra (Wheel of Time)
• Ritus (Six Seasons)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Time
• Kala-Chakra
• Seasons
• Solar symbolism

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a stable cosmological model of time (kāla) as a solar wheel, emphasizing orderly cycles rather than dissolution.

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

By framing time as an ordered cycle of day, year, and seasons, it supports dharmic planning—performing rites, agriculture, governance, and vows in their proper seasonal and calendrical timings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underlines correct kāla (timing) for ceremonies aligned with seasons; architecturally (Vastu practice), it reinforces solar/time orientation principles used to schedule consecrations and select auspicious periods.