Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

रात्रिर्वरूथो धर्मश्च ध्वज ऊर्ध्वं व्यवस्थितः अक्षकोट्योर्युगान्यस्य आर्तवाहाः कलाः स्मृताः //

Transliteration

rātrirvarūtho dharmaśca dhvaja ūrdhvaṃ vyavasthitaḥ akṣakoṭyoryugānyasya ārtavāhāḥ kalāḥ smṛtāḥ //

Translation

Night is its protecting rampart; Dharma is its standard, set upright above. Between the two ends of its axle are its yugas; and its time-units (kalās) are remembered as the courses that carry the seasons onward.

Word by Word

• रात्रिः (rātriḥ): night

• वरूथः (varūthaḥ): rampart, protective enclosure, bulwark

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): dharma, cosmic law, righteousness

• च (ca): and

• ध्वजः (dhvajaḥ): banner, standard, emblem

• ऊर्ध्वम् (ūrdhvam): upward, aloft

• व्यवस्थितः (vyavasthitaḥ): firmly placed, established

• अक्ष-कोट्योः (akṣa-koṭyoḥ): at the two ends of the axle (axle-extremities)

• युगानि (yugāni): yugas, world-ages, great time-cycles

• अस्य (asya): of this (cosmic/time construct being described)

• आर्तवाहाः (ārtavāhāḥ): season-bearing, carrying the ṛtus onward

• कलाः (kalāḥ): time-parts, divisions of time

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): are remembered/are traditionally taught.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma
• Rātri (Night)
• Yuga
• Kalā
• Ṛtu (Seasons)

Tags

• Kala-Vibhaga
• Cosmology
• Yuga
• Dharma
• Puranic Time

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic order through time-measures—yugas, kalās, and seasonal courses—implying that even across vast cycles (including pralaya periods), the Purana explains a structured, law-governed rhythm upheld by Dharma.

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

By placing Dharma as the “upright banner” of the cosmic system, the verse indirectly instructs kings and householders that social order should mirror cosmic order: governance and daily life must be aligned with dharma and regulated time (ritual calendar, seasonal duties).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the emphasis is on kalā/ṛtu-based timing—sacrifices, vows, and festivals are to be performed according to correct time divisions and seasonal cycles, a key practical takeaway often used alongside Matsya Purana’s broader ritual and temple-practice guidance.