Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

यावत्यश्चैव ताराः स्युस् तावन्तो ऽस्य मरीचयः सर्वा ध्रुवनिबद्धास्ता भ्रमन्त्यो भ्रामयन्ति च //

Transliteration

yāvatyaścaiva tārāḥ syus tāvanto 'sya marīcayaḥ sarvā dhruvanibaddhāstā bhramantyo bhrāmayanti ca //

Translation

As many as the stars are, so many are his rays. All are fastened to Dhruva (the Pole Star); moving themselves, they also set others in motion.

Word by Word

• yāvatyaḥ: as many as

• ca eva: and indeed

• tārāḥ: stars

• syuḥ: may be/are

• tāvantaḥ: so many

• asya: of him/this (Dhruva)

• marīcayaḥ: rays, beams

• sarvāḥ: all

• dhruva-nibaddhāḥ: bound/fastened to Dhruva

• tāḥ: those (stars/rays)

• bhramantyaḥ: revolving, moving about

• bhrāmayanti: cause to revolve, set in motion

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue on cosmic order)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva
• Tārāḥ (Stars)
• Marīcayaḥ (Rays)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Dhruva
• Astronomy
• Puranic Universe
• Jyotisha

FAQs

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

It emphasizes cosmic order rather than dissolution: the stars are described as being ‘bound to Dhruva’ and moving in a regulated cycle, implying a maintained structure of the heavens across time.

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

By portraying the heavens as governed by fixed order centered on Dhruva, it indirectly models dharma: a king or householder should be a stable ‘axis’ of responsibility, maintaining regularity and discipline so society moves in harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but Dhruva as a fixed axis is conceptually echoed in temple alignment and orientation practices (cardinal directions and stable central axis) used in Puranic and Vāstu traditions.