Shloka 26

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

अष्टाश्वः काञ्चनः श्रीमान् भौमस्यापि रथो महान्

Transliteration

aṣṭāśvaḥ kāñcanaḥ śrīmān bhaumasyāpi ratho mahān

Translation

แม้ภาวมะ (ดาวอังคาร) ก็มีราชรถทองอันรุ่งเรือง เทียมด้วยม้าแปดตัว ใหญ่โตโอฬารและงดงามยิ่งนัก।

Word by Word

• अष्टाश्वः: (one) having eight horses / eight-horsed
• अष्टाश्वः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अष्ट (संख्या) + अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अष्टानाम् अश्वानाम्)

• काञ्चनः: golden
• काञ्चनः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• श्रीमान्: splendid, illustrious
• श्रीमान्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• भौमस्य: of Bhoma (Mars)
• भौमस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भौम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: Sambandha-bodhaka (Connector/सम्बन्धसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

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

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Grahas possess distinct vehicles and powers, implying differentiated karmic results through planetary influence.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-niyati (cosmic governance) operating through upādhis (graha-forms).

Application: Cultivate awareness of time/karma cycles; use disciplined conduct and prayer rather than fatalism when facing Maṅgala periods.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: graha-mandala (planetary sphere)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.58 (graha-ratha-varṇana context)

Characters & Entities

• Bhauma (Mars)

FAQs

What is the importance of planetary deities (grahas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights the grahas as divine beings with specific iconography and vehicles, reflecting their cosmic roles within Purana cosmology.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by situating the discussion within cosmic order, it frames the universe through which beings move and are influenced, though it does not describe the soul’s post-death journey in this specific line.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder of dharmic order and disciplined living—traditional practice includes respectful remembrance of grahas during daily prayers or ritual observances.