Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

भ्रमतस्तस्य रश्मी ते मण्डले तूत्तरायणे वर्धेते दक्षिणेष्वत्र भ्रमतो मण्डलानि तु //

Transliteration

bhramatastasya raśmī te maṇḍale tūttarāyaṇe vardhete dakṣiṇeṣvatra bhramato maṇḍalāni tu //

Translation

As the Sun moves in his circuit, those rays increase in the solar orb during the northward course (uttarāyaṇa); and here, during the southward course (dakṣiṇāyana), the maṇḍalas—as he revolves—are traversed differently.

Word by Word

• भ्रमतः (bhramataḥ): while revolving/moving

• तस्य (tasya): of him (the Sun)

• रश्मी (raśmī): rays

• ते (te): those

• मण्डले (maṇḍale): in the orb/disc (solar sphere)

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• उत्तरायणे (uttarāyaṇe): in the northward course of the Sun

• वर्धेते (vardhete): increase/expand

• दक्षिणेषु (dakṣiṇeṣu): in the southern (course/regions), i.e., during dakṣiṇāyana

• अत्र (atra): here/in this context

• मण्डलानि (maṇḍalāni): circles/orbits/circuits

• भ्रमतः (bhramataḥ): while revolving

• तु (tu): indeed/and

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on cosmology/jyotiṣa within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (the Sun)
• Uttarayana
• Dakshinayana

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Surya
• Uttarayana
• Dakshinayana

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it explains the Sun’s cyclical motion—how rays and orbital “circles” vary across uttarāyaṇa and dakṣiṇāyana—supporting the Purana’s broader model of cosmic order (ṛta) rather than dissolution.

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

By marking uttarāyaṇa/dakṣiṇāyana as meaningful cosmic phases, it underpins correct calendrical timing for rites, donations, and state/household observances—key dharmic duties in Purāṇic life regulated by seasonal and solar cycles.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, uttarāyaṇa and dakṣiṇāyana guide auspicious scheduling (saṃskāras, yajñas, dāna). Architecturally, such solar-course awareness informs orientation and timing in temple consecrations—useful for “Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips” tied to solar directionality.