Shloka 5

Measurements of the Sun’s Chariot, the Wheel of Time, and the Retinues of the Solar Months; Chariots of Soma and the Grahas

Devanagari script

पञ्चान्यानि तु सार्धानि स्यन्दनस्य वृषध्वज / अक्षप्रमाणमुभयोः प्रमाणं तु युगार्धयोः

Transliteration

pañcānyāni tu sārdhāni syandanasya vṛṣadhvaja / akṣapramāṇamubhayoḥ pramāṇaṃ tu yugārdhayoḥ

Translation

ഹേ വൃഷധ്വജ! ആ സ്യന്ദനത്തിന് കൂടി അഞ്ചര (അളവ്) അധികമുണ്ട്. ഇരുവശത്തെയും അക്ഷത്തിന്റെ അളവ് ഒരുപോലെ; ഈഷാ (ജൂവ)യുടെ അളവ് യുഗത്തിന്റെ പകുതിയത്രെ.

Word by Word

• pañca: five
• pañca: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; (यहाँ) विशेषणरूपेण

• anyāni: other/additional
• anyāni: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• sārdhāni: with a half (and more)
• sārdhāni: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sārdha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘अर्धाधिक’ (with a half)

• syandanasya: of the chariot
• syandanasya: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: syandana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• vṛṣadhvaja: O bull-bannered one
• vṛṣadhvaja: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘वृषः ध्वजः यस्य’

• akṣa-pramāṇam: the measure of the axle
• akṣa-pramāṇam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akṣa + pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ubhayoḥ: of both
• ubhayoḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन; ‘of both’

• pramāṇam: measure
• pramāṇam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• yuga-ardhayoḥ: of the two halves of the yoke
• yuga-ardhayoḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuga + ardha (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन; ‘युगस्य अर्धम्’

Speaker

Unknown (context required to confirm speaker within the dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Harmony arises from proportionality; cosmic function depends on balanced measures (both sides equal; yoke tied to yuga).

Vedantic Theme: Sāmya (equilibrium) as a mark of order in prakṛti; time-units (yuga) as conceptual scaffolding for understanding manifestation.

Application: Adopt balance as a life principle: regularity in routine, moderation, and symmetry in duties; use time-units to plan sādhana and responsibilities.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial vehicle architecture

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.58.1-1.58.4 (preceding measures and time-wheel)

Characters & Entities

• Vṛṣadhvaja

FAQs

What is the importance of pramāṇa (sacred measurements) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse exemplifies how the text preserves precise traditional dimensions (pramāṇa) for sacred or ritual descriptions, treating measurement as part of correct transmission of dharma and iconographic/ritual knowledge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This specific verse is technical and descriptive (measurements of a chariot/parts) and does not directly address the soul’s journey; it belongs to a descriptive passage rather than the preta/afterlife narrative.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that traditional practices value precision—whether in ritual setup, study, or documentation—encouraging careful, faithful preservation of textual details.