Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

एवं ध्रुवे नियुक्तो ऽसौ भ्रमते ज्योतिषां गणः एष तारामयः प्रोक्तः शिशुमारे ध्रुवो दिवि //

Transliteration

evaṃ dhruve niyukto 'sau bhramate jyotiṣāṃ gaṇaḥ eṣa tārāmayaḥ proktaḥ śiśumāre dhruvo divi //

Translation

Thus, when he is stationed at Dhruva (the Pole Star), the host of luminaries revolves. This star-formed configuration is described as the Śiśumāra (celestial ‘porpoise’), with Dhruva fixed in the heavens.

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• dhruve: in/at Dhruva (the fixed pole)

• niyuktaḥ: appointed/placed

• asau: he/that (Dhruva or the pivot-principle being described)

• bhramate: revolves/circulates

• jyotiṣām: of the luminaries (stars/planets)

• gaṇaḥ: multitude/host

• eṣaḥ: this

• tārā-mayaḥ: composed of stars/star-formed

• proktaḥ: declared/said

• śiśumāre: in/with reference to the Śiśumāra (celestial figure)

• dhruvaḥ: Dhruva (Pole Star)

• divi: in heaven/in the sky.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva
• Jyotiṣa (luminaries)
• Tārā (stars)
• Śiśumāra

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotiṣa
• Dhruva
• Śiśumāra
• Astral order

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains cosmic order—how the luminaries are understood to revolve with Dhruva as the fixed heavenly pivot, indicating stability in the universe’s structure.

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

By presenting Dhruva as the fixed point around which all moves, it reinforces a Dharma theme: righteous life needs a stable center (truth, duty, discipline) so that worldly activities can proceed in ordered cycles rather than chaos.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but the verse supports ritual orientation and cosmological mapping (aligning rites, altars, or temple symbolism to a stable cosmic axis—Dhruva—as a sacred reference point).