Shloka 25

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

सोपासंगपताकस्तु शुक्रस्यापि रथो महान् / रथो भूमिसुतस्यापि तप्तकाञ्चनसन्निभः

Transliteration

sopāsaṃgapatākastu śukrasyāpi ratho mahān / ratho bhūmisutasyāpi taptakāñcanasannibhaḥ

Translation

รถอันยิ่งใหญ่ของศุกระก็พร้อมด้วยเครื่องประกอบและธงชัย และรถของภูมิสุตะ (ดาวอังคาร) ก็ส่องประกายดุจทองคำที่ถูกเผาให้ร้อน

Word by Word

• सोपासंगपताकः: with attachments and a banner
• सोपासंगपताकः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (सह) + उपासंग (प्रातिपदिक) + पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (having fittings/attachments and a banner)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Connector (Nipata/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrastive particle)

• शुक्रस्य: of Śukra (Venus)
• शुक्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Modifier (Nipata/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also/even)

• रथः: chariot
• रथः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• महान्: great
• महान्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• रथः: chariot
• रथः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• भूमिसुतस्य: of the son of Earth
• भूमिसुतस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूमेः सुतः)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Modifier (Nipata/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also)

• तप्तकाञ्चनसन्निभः: resembling molten/heated gold
• तप्तकाञ्चनसन्निभः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तप्त (तप् धातु, क्त) + काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (like heated gold)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Distinct cosmic intelligences manifest with recognizable qualities (splendor, color, brilliance); diversity of forms serves a single ordered cosmos.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa diversity within one cosmic order; perceived multiplicity functioning under a unified law (ṛta/niyati).

Application: Discern qualities without confusion: appreciate differences (Venusian refinement vs Martian heat) while maintaining inner steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: celestial route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.58 (graha chariot catalogue: Śukra, Bhūmisuta/Maṅgala)

Characters & Entities

• Shukra (Venus)
• Bhumisuta (Mars)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing planetary chariots in the Garuda Purana?

This verse supports the Purana’s cosmological mapping by giving visual, iconographic details of grahas, helping readers contemplate the ordered structure of the universe.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by situating the soul’s journey within a structured cosmos governed by grahas and divine order, it frames later teachings on destiny, time, and karmic experience.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to align actions with dharma, since life unfolds within a larger cosmic order; it also aids traditional study of graha symbolism during Purana recitation.