Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

युगाक्षकोटीसम्बद्धौ द्वौ रश्मी स्यन्दनस्य तु ध्रुवेण प्रगृहीतौ तौ रथौ यौ वनतो रविम् //

Transliteration

yugākṣakoṭīsambaddhau dvau raśmī syandanasya tu dhruveṇa pragṛhītau tau rathau yau vanato ravim //

Translation

Two reins of the Sun’s chariot, fastened at the ends of the yoke and the yuga-axle, are held by Dhruva; by these the chariot is guided, directing the Sun along his course.

Word by Word

• युग (yuga): yoke

• अक्ष (akṣa): axle

• कोटि (koṭi): end, tip

• सम्बद्धौ (sambaddhau): fastened, bound together

• द्वौ (dvau): two

• रश्मी (raśmī): reins, straps (also ‘rays’ in other contexts)

• स्यन्दनस्य (syandanasya): of the chariot

• तु (tu): indeed

• ध्रुवेण (dhruveṇa): by Dhruva (the Pole Star / fixed pivot)

• प्रगृहीतौ (pragṛhītau): held firmly, grasped

• तौ (tau): those two

• रथौ (rathau): (for) the chariot / chariot-system

• यौ (yau): which

• वनतः (vanataḥ): guiding/turning, directing (lit. ‘bending’)

• रविम् (ravim): the Sun

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the cosmic arrangement (as taught in the Matsya Purana’s cosmology section)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva
• Ravi (Surya)
• Syandana (Solar chariot)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Surya
• Dhruva
• Astral Mechanics
• Puranic Astronomy

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes cosmic order: even celestial motion is regulated through Dhruva as a fixed pivot, a theme that contrasts with Pralaya where such ordered movements are withdrawn or obscured.

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

It functions as a political-ethical metaphor used across Purāṇic literature: just as Dhruva ‘holds the reins’ of the Sun’s course, a king (or disciplined householder) must firmly hold the ‘reins’ of conduct and governance to keep life aligned with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but Dhruva as the fixed ‘axis’ supports ritual orientation: many rites and temple alignments prioritize cardinal directions and the stable northern axis, echoing the idea of a cosmic pivot guiding order.