Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

युगाक्षकोटी ते तस्य वातोर्मी स्यन्दनस्य तु संक्रमेते ध्रुवमहो मण्डले सर्वतोदिशम् //

Transliteration

yugākṣakoṭī te tasya vātormī syandanasya tu saṃkramete dhruvamaho maṇḍale sarvatodiśam //

Translation

At the rim of that cosmic axle of the yugas, the wind-waves that drive the celestial chariot course onward; and indeed, around the fixed Pole, Dhruva, they move through the great circle in every direction.

Word by Word

• yuga: age/aeon

• akṣa: axle (also: axis)

• koṭī: edge, tip, rim

• te: those/they

• tasya: of that

• vāta: wind

• ūrmī: wave, surge

• vātormī: wind-waves, wind-surges

• syandanasya: of the chariot (celestial car)

• tu: indeed/but

• saṃkramete: move along, pass over, course onward

• dhruvam: Dhruva, the Pole Star/the fixed point

• aho: indeed, surely (exclamatory particle)

• maṇḍale: in the circle/orb/zone

• sarvataḥ-diśam: in all directions, everywhere around.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva (Pole Star)
• Syandana (celestial chariot)
• Yuga (cosmic age-cycle)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Time-cycles
• Dhruva
• Celestial motion

FAQs

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

Rather than describing Pralaya directly, the verse outlines the stable cosmic order—motion around Dhruva and the yuga-axis—implying a regulated universe that later texts contrast with dissolution when such order withdraws.

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

By presenting Dhruva as the ‘fixed’ center and the world’s movements as orderly, it supports the ethical ideal that kings and householders should maintain steadiness (dhruvatā) and uphold dharma so society ‘moves’ without chaos.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit Vāstu rule is not stated, but Dhruva and the ‘maṇḍala’ imagery aligns with ritual/architectural mandala thinking—orientation to a fixed north/polar reference and designing sacred space as a regulated circle around a stable center.