Shloka 4

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

रथ आपोमयैरश्वैर् दशभिस्तु सितेतरैः स्वर्भानोर्भास्करारेश् च तथा चाष्टहयः स्मृतः

Transliteration

ratha āpomayairaśvair daśabhistu sitetaraiḥ svarbhānorbhāskarāreś ca tathā cāṣṭahayaḥ smṛtaḥ

Translation

रथ आपोमयैरश्वैर्दशभिस्तु सितेतरैः। भास्करस्य स्मृतो युक्तः श्वेतकृष्णसमन्वितैः॥ स्वर्भानोर्भास्करारेश्च तथाष्टहयः स्मृतः॥

Word by Word

• rathaḥ: chariot

• āpaḥ: waters

• mayaiḥ: made of/consisting of

• aśvaiḥ: by horses

• daśabhiḥ: by ten

• tu: indeed

• sita: white

• itaraiḥ: and others (non-white)

• svarbhānoḥ: of Svarbhānu

• bhāskara: of the Sun

• areḥ: enemy/foe

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise

• ca: also

• aṣṭa: eight

• hayaḥ: horses

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya (Bhaskara)
• Svarbhanu

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By describing the regulated movement of Surya and the eclipse‑force Svarbhānu, the verse points to a cosmos governed by higher law—ultimately under Pati (Shiva). Linga worship aligns the Pashu (soul) with that divine order, loosening Pāśa (bondage) born of fear, time, and celestial disturbances.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is implied as the transcendent governor of cosmic functions: even luminous Surya and disruptive Svarbhānu operate within a measured structure (specified chariots and horses). This reflects Pati as the unseen ground of order beyond both light and obscuration.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports graha-śānti orientation—propitiatory worship to stabilize the mind during celestial irregularities (eclipse symbolism). In a Shaiva frame, this becomes Linga-puja with mantra and inner steadiness (yogic equanimity), treating fear and fluctuation as forms of Pāśa to be transcended.