Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

युगाक्षकोटी ते तस्य दक्षिणे स्यन्दनस्य तु भ्रमतो भ्रमतो रश्मी तौ चक्रयुगयोस्तु वै //

Transliteration

yugākṣakoṭī te tasya dakṣiṇe syandanasya tu bhramato bhramato raśmī tau cakrayugayostu vai //

Translation

On the right side of that chariot, at the end of the yoke-axle (yuga–akṣa), as it turns and turns, two reins (guiding cords) are fixed—indeed, they belong to the paired yokes of the wheels.

Word by Word

• yuga: yoke (of a chariot)

• akṣa: axle

• koṭī: end, tip, extremity

• te: those

• tasya: of that

• dakṣiṇe: on the right side

• syandanasya: of the chariot

• tu: indeed

• bhramataḥ bhramataḥ: while revolving/turning repeatedly

• raśmī: reins, cords, guiding straps

• tau: those two

• cakra: wheel

• yugayoḥ: of the two yokes / of the paired yokes

• tu vai: verily, indeed

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s technical description (instructional narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Syandana (chariot)
• Chakra (wheel)
• Yuga (yoke)
• Aksha (axle)
• Rashmi (reins/cords)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Mechanical description
• Chariot anatomy
• Iconography-technical
• Purana engineering

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a technical line describing the placement and function of chariot components (yoke-axle end, reins/cords, and wheel-yokes).

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

Indirectly, it supports rajadharma through practical knowledge: a king’s administration includes mastery of vehicles, logistics, and craftsmanship; the verse preserves precise terminology for maintaining and operating royal transport.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is technical rather than ritual: it preserves standardized mechanical vocabulary (yuga, akṣa, raśmī) used in allied śilpa/vaastu traditions, helpful for reconstructing how moving components were conceived and positioned.