Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

भ्रमन्वै भ्रममाणानि ऋक्षाणि चरते रविः एवं चतुर्षु पार्श्वेषु दक्षिणान्तेषु सर्पति //

Transliteration

bhramanvai bhramamāṇāni ṛkṣāṇi carate raviḥ evaṃ caturṣu pārśveṣu dakṣiṇānteṣu sarpati //

Translation

Indeed, the Sun (Ravi) moves while the lunar mansions (ṛkṣas/nakṣatras) appear to revolve; thus he glides along the four quarters, reaching their southern extremes.

Word by Word

• भ्रमन् (bhraman): moving/turning

• वै (vai): indeed

• भ्रममाणानि (bhramamāṇāni): revolving/appearing to revolve

• ऋक्षाणि (ṛkṣāṇi): nakṣatras/lunar mansions (constellational stations)

• चरते (carate): moves/travels

• रविः (raviḥ): the Sun

• एवम् (evaṃ): thus/in this way

• चतुर्षु (caturṣu): in four

• पार्श्वेषु (pārśveṣu): sides/quarters/directions

• दक्षिणान्तेषु (dakṣiṇānteṣu): at the southern limits/extremities (southern turning points)

• सर्पति (sarpati): creeps/glides/moves steadily

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmological teaching; framed as instruction ultimately attributed to Lord Matsya’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Ravi (Sun)
• Ṛkṣas/Nakṣatras

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Cosmology
• SolarPath
• Nakshatras
• PuranicAstronomy

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it presents an ordered cosmic motion—Ravi’s steady course relative to the nakṣatras—supporting the Purana’s theme of ṛta (cosmic order) rather than dissolution.

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

By emphasizing predictable solar and nakṣatra cycles, it underpins proper timing (kāla) for governance, agriculture, vows, and rites—key responsibilities for kings and householders guided by Jyotiṣa-based calendars.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supports choosing auspicious timings aligned with solar movement and nakṣatras (e.g., for consecrations, homa, and vrata observance). Architecturally, it indirectly relates to orientation by quarters (dik) used in Vāstu planning.