Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

ज्योतिषां चक्रमादाय सततं परिगच्छति मध्यगश्चामरावत्यां यदा भवति भास्करः //

Transliteration

jyotiṣāṃ cakramādāya satataṃ parigacchati madhyagaścāmarāvatyāṃ yadā bhavati bhāskaraḥ //

Translation

Taking up the wheel (cycle) of the luminaries, the Sun continually moves on; and when the Sun comes to the middle (the culminating position), he is at Amarāvatī.

Word by Word

• jyotiṣām: of the luminaries (celestial lights)

• cakram: the wheel, cycle, circuit

• ādāya: having taken up, bearing

• satatam: continually, always

• parigacchati: goes around, moves along, traverses

• madhya-gaḥ: being in the middle, at the midpoint/culmination

• ca: and

• amarāvatyām: in Amarāvatī (Indra’s city

• yadā: when

• bhavati: becomes, is

• bhāskaraḥ: the Sun, the illuminator

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) relaying the Matsya Purāṇa’s cosmological-astronomical description (dialogue context not explicit in this single verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Bhāskara (Sun)
• Amarāvatī (Indra’s city)

Tags

• Jyotiṣa
• Solar motion
• Cosmology
• Sacred geography
• Purāṇic astronomy

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes the Sun’s continual circuit within the cosmic order, emphasizing regularity (satataṃ) rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic idea that dharma and ritual timing follow cosmic order: the Sun’s steady course underlies calendrical reckoning used for vows, rites, and royal/public observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the Sun’s positions guide auspicious timing and directional orientation; such solar references are often used when aligning temples/altars and scheduling solar rites (sūrya-upāsanā), even though no explicit Vāstu rule is stated in this verse.