Shloka 10
Measurements of the Sun’s Chariot, the Wheel of Time, and the Retinues of the Solar Months; Chariots of Soma and the Grahas
मित्रो ऽत्रिस्तक्षको रक्षः पौरुषेयो ऽथ मेनका / हाहा रथस्वनश्चैव ज्येष्ठे भानो रथे स्थिताः
mitro 'tristakṣako rakṣaḥ pauruṣeyo 'tha menakā / hāhā rathasvanaścaiva jyeṣṭhe bhāno rathe sthitāḥ
ജ്യേഷ്ഠ മാസത്തിൽ ഭാനുവിന്റെ രഥത്തിൽ മിത്രൻ, അത്രി, തക്ഷകൻ, രാക്ഷസൻ, പൗരുഷേയൻ, മേനക; കൂടാതെ ഹാഹാ, രഥസ്വനൻ—ഇവരെല്ലാം സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്നു.
Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra), in a descriptive enumeration context
Concept: Multiplicity of cosmic roles—beneficent and fierce—cooperate in sustaining time; the universe is a coordinated system of powers.
Vedantic Theme: Unity-in-diversity under Īśvara; guṇa-variegated functions within cosmic order.
Application: Contemplate cooperation across differences; in intense summer (Jyeṣṭha), practice restraint, cooling disciplines, and steady worship acknowledging time’s power.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial chariot / temporal station
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.58 (month-wise stationing in Sūrya’s chariot)
FAQs
This verse functions as a calendrical-cosmological mapping, identifying specific divine/semidivine attendants associated with the Sun’s course in the month of Jyeṣṭha.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it situates the narrative in a broader cosmic order (solar/time cycle) that the Garuda Purana often uses as a framework for dharma and ritual timing.
Use it as a reference for understanding traditional month-wise solar associations (Jyeṣṭha) when studying Purāṇic cosmology or planning observances aligned with the Hindu lunar calendar.