Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Planetary Chariots

Devanagari script

तन्मुखाभिमुखाः सर्वे चक्रभूता दिवि स्थिताः ध्रुवेणाधिष्ठिताश्चैव ध्रुवमेव प्रदक्षिणम् //

Transliteration

tanmukhābhimukhāḥ sarve cakrabhūtā divi sthitāḥ dhruveṇādhiṣṭhitāścaiva dhruvameva pradakṣiṇam //

Translation

All of them, facing toward his presence, abide in the sky as circular formations; established and governed by Dhruva, they revolve in rightward (clockwise) pradakṣiṇa around Dhruva alone.

Word by Word

• tat-mukha-abhimukhāḥ: facing toward his face/presence

• sarve: all

• cakra-bhūtāḥ: having become wheels/circular courses

• divi: in heaven/in the sky

• sthitāḥ: stationed/remaining

• dhruveṇa: by Dhruva (the Pole Star)

• adhiṣṭhitāḥ: presided over/regulated

• ca eva: and indeed

• dhruvam eva: Dhruva alone/as the fixed center

• pradakṣiṇam: rightward circumambulation/clockwise revolution

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructional narration to Vaivasvata Manu, cosmological description)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhruva

Tags

• Cosmology
• Jyotisha
• Dhruva
• Astral motion
• Puranic astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes cosmic order in the established universe—how celestial bodies move in circular courses with Dhruva as the fixed pivot.

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

Indirectly, it models dharma as ordered movement around a stable center: just as the heavens keep disciplined courses around Dhruva, rulers and householders are urged to keep conduct oriented around a fixed moral axis (dharma) rather than personal whim.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual cue is pradakṣiṇā (clockwise circumambulation), mirroring cosmic motion; in worship and temple practice, devotees circumambulate the deity clockwise to align action with auspicious cosmic order.