The Sun's Chariot and the Paths of the Stars

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.8.15.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि भानोर्गमनमुत्तमम् । शीघ्रमन्दादिगतिभिस्त्रिविधं गमनं रवेः

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi bhānorgamanamuttamam | śīghramandādigatibhistrividhaṁ gamanaṁ raveḥ

Shri Narayana said: Now I shall further describe the excellent motion of the sun — the sun's threefold movement, through swift, slow, and medium paces.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.8.15.2)

सर्वग्रहाणां त्रीण्येव स्थानानि सुरसत्तम । स्थानं जारद्गवं मध्यं तथैरावतमुत्तरम्

sarvagrahāṇāṁ trīṇyeva sthānāni surasattama | sthānaṁ jāradgavaṁ madhyaṁ tathairāvatamuttaram

O best of the gods, there are only three positions for all the planets — the middle path called Jaradgava, and the northern one called Airavata,

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.8.15.3)

वैश्वानरं दक्षिणतो निर्दिष्टमिति तत्त्वतः । अश्विनी कृत्तिका याम्या नागवीथीति शब्दिता

vaiśvānaraṁ dakṣiṇato nirdiṣṭamiti tattvataḥ | aśvinī kṛttikā yāmyā nāgavīthīti śabditā

— and the southern one is, in truth, called Vaishvanara. Ashvini, Krittika, and Yamya (Bharani) together are known as the Naga-vithi (Serpent path),

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.8.15.4)

रोहिण्यार्द्रा मृगशिरो गजवीथ्यभिधीयते । पुष्याश्लेषा तथाऽऽदित्या वीथी चैरावती स्मृता

rohiṇyārdrā mṛgaśiro gajavīthyabhidhīyate | puṣyāśleṣā tathā''dityā vīthī cairāvatī smṛtā

Rohini, Ardra, and Mrigashira are called the Gaja-vithi (Elephant path). Pushya, Ashlesha, and Aditya (Punarvasu) are remembered as the Airavati path.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.8.15.5)

एतास्तु वीथयस्तिस्र उत्तरो मार्ग उच्यते । तथा द्वे चापि फल्गुन्यौ मघा चैवार्षभी मता

etāstu vīthayastisra uttaro mārga ucyate | tathā dve cāpi phalgunyau maghā caivārṣabhī matā

These three paths together are called the Northern Path. Likewise the two Phalgunis and Magha are held to be the Arshabhi (Vrishabha) path.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.8.15.6)

हस्तश्चित्रा तथा स्वाती गोवीथीति तु शब्दिता । ज्येष्ठा विशाखानुराधा वीथी जारद्गवी मता

hastaścitrā tathā svātī govīthīti tu śabditā | jyeṣṭhā viśākhānurādhā vīthī jāradgavī matā

Hasta, Chitra, and Svati are called the Go-vithi (Cow path). Jyeshtha, Vishakha, and Anuradha are held to form the Jaradgavi path.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.8.15.7)

एतास्तु वीथयस्तिस्रो मध्यमो मार्ग उच्यते । मूलाषाढोत्तराषाढा अजवीथ्यभिशब्दिता

etāstu vīthayastisro madhyamo mārga ucyate | mūlāṣāḍhottarāṣāḍhā ajavīthyabhiśabditā

These three paths together are called the Middle Path. Mula, Purva-Ashadha, and Uttara-Ashadha are called the Aja-vithi (Goat path).

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.8.15.8)

श्रवणं च धनिष्ठा च मार्गी शतभिषक् तथा । वैश्वानरी भाद्रपदे रेवती चैव कीर्तिता

śravaṇaṁ ca dhaniṣṭhā ca mārgī śatabhiṣak tathā | vaiśvānarī bhādrapade revatī caiva kīrtitā

Shravana, Dhanishtha, and Shatabhishak form the Margi path. The two Bhadrapadas and Revati are celebrated as the Vaishvanari path.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.8.15.9)

एतास्तु वीथयस्तिस्रो दक्षिणो मार्ग उच्यते । उत्तरायणमासाद्य युगाक्षान्तर्निबद्धयोः

etāstu vīthayastisro dakṣiṇo mārga ucyate | uttarāyaṇamāsādya yugākṣāntarnibaddhayoḥ

These three paths together are called the Southern Path. Upon reaching the northern course (uttarayana), with the chariot's yoke bound within its axle-pin —

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.8.15.10)

कर्षणं पाशयोर्वायुबद्धयो रोहणं स्मृतम् । तदाभ्यन्तरगान्मण्डलाद्रथस्य गतेर्भवेत्

karṣaṇaṁ pāśayorvāyubaddhayo rohaṇaṁ smṛtam | tadābhyantaragānmaṇḍalādrathasya gaterbhavet

the drawing-in of the two wind-bound reins is called the "ascent." Then, moving from the inner orbit, the chariot's motion —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.8.15.11)

मान्द्यं दिवसवृद्धिश्च जायते सुरसत्तम । रात्रिह्रासश्च भवति सौम्यायनक्रमो ह्ययम्

māndyaṁ divasavṛddhiśca jāyate surasattama | rātrihrāsaśca bhavati saumyāyanakramo hyayam

— becomes slow, O best of gods, and the day grows longer while the night grows shorter — this indeed is the sequence of the northern (Saumya) course.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.8.15.12)

दक्षिणायनके पाशे प्रेरणादवरोहणम् । बहिर्मण्डलवेशेन गतिशैघ्र्यं तदा भवेत्

dakṣiṇāyanake pāśe preraṇādavarohaṇam | bahirmaṇḍalaveśena gatiśaighryaṁ tadā bhavet

In the southern course, the driving of the reins brings about "descent"; by entering the outer orbit, the motion then becomes swift,

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.8.15.13)

तदा दिनाल्पता रात्रिवृद्धिश्च परिकीर्तिता । वैषुवे पाशसाम्यात्तु समावस्थानतो रवेः

tadā dinālpatā rātrivṛddhiśca parikīrtitā | vaiṣuve pāśasāmyāttu samāvasthānato raveḥ

— then a shortening of the day and lengthening of the night are described. At the equinox, owing to the equal tension of the reins, from the sun's position of balance —

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.8.15.14)

मध्यमण्डलवेशश्च साम्यं रात्रिदिनादिके । आकृष्येते यदा तौ तु ध्रुवेण समधिष्ठितौ

madhyamaṇḍalaveśaśca sāmyaṁ rātridinādike | ākṛṣyete yadā tau tu dhruveṇa samadhiṣṭhitau

— there is entry into the middle orbit, and day and night become equal. When those two reins are drawn taut, both being governed alike by Dhruva,

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.8.15.15)

तदाभ्यन्तरतः सूर्यो भ्रमते मण्डलानि च । ध्रुवेण मुच्यमानेन पुना रश्मियुगेन तु

tadābhyantarataḥ sūryo bhramate maṇḍalāni ca | dhruveṇa mucyamānena punā raśmiyugena tu

— then the sun revolves through the inner orbits. And when, released again by Dhruva, through the pair of reins,

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.8.15.16)

तथैव बाह्यतः सूर्यो भ्रमते मण्डलानि च । तस्मिन्मेरौ पूर्वभागे पुर्यैन्द्री देवधानिका

tathaiva bāhyataḥ sūryo bhramate maṇḍalāni ca | tasminmerau pūrvabhāge puryaindrī devadhānikā

— the sun likewise revolves through the outer orbits. On that Mount Meru, in its eastern quarter, stands Indra's city, called Devadhanika;

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.8.15.17)

दक्षिणे वै संयमनी नाम याम्या महापुरी । पश्चान्निम्लोचनी नाम वारुणी वै महापुरी

dakṣiṇe vai saṁyamanī nāma yāmyā mahāpurī | paścānnimlocanī nāma vāruṇī vai mahāpurī

in the south is Yama's great city, named Samyamani; in the west is Varuna's great city, named Nimlochani;

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.8.15.18)

तदुत्तरे पुरी सौम्या प्रोक्ता नाम विभावरी । ऐन्द्रपुर्यां रवेः प्रोक्त उदयो ब्रह्मवादिभिः

taduttare purī saumyā proktā nāma vibhāvarī | aindrapuryāṁ raveḥ prokta udayo brahmavādibhiḥ

and to its north is the Moon's city, called Vibhavari. In Indra's city, the knowers of Brahman declare, the sun rises;

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.8.15.19)

संयमन्यां च मध्याह्ने निम्लोचन्यां निमीलनम् । विभावर्यां निशीथः स्यात्तिग्मांशोः सुरपूजितः

saṁyamanyāṁ ca madhyāhne nimlocanyāṁ nimīlanam | vibhāvaryāṁ niśīthaḥ syāttigmāṁśoḥ surapūjitaḥ

in Samyamani it is midday, in Nimlochani there is setting, and in Vibhavari it is midnight — thus for the sharp-rayed sun, honored by the gods.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.8.15.20)

प्रवृत्तेश्च निमित्तानि भूतानां तानि सर्वशः । मेरोश्चतुर्दिशं भानोः कीर्तितानि मया मुने

pravṛtteśca nimittāni bhūtānāṁ tāni sarvaśaḥ | meroścaturdiśaṁ bhānoḥ kīrtitāni mayā mune

The causes of activity for all beings, in every respect — these positions of the sun in the four directions from Meru — have thus been declared by me, O sage.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.8.15.21)

मेरुस्थानां सदा मध्यं गत एव विभाति हि । सव्यं गच्छन्दक्षिणेन करोति स्वर्णपर्वतम्

merusthānāṁ sadā madhyaṁ gata eva vibhāti hi | savyaṁ gacchandakṣiṇena karoti svarṇaparvatam

For those who dwell on Meru, the sun always seems to stand at the zenith. Moving with his left side toward it, he keeps the golden mountain always on his right,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.8.15.22)

उदयास्तमये चैव सर्वकालं तु सम्मुखे । दिशास्वशेषासु तथा सुरर्षे विदिशासु च

udayāstamaye caiva sarvakālaṁ tu sammukhe | diśāsvaśeṣāsu tathā surarṣe vidiśāsu ca

— and at both his rising and setting he stands ever facing it; and likewise, O sage among the gods, in all the cardinal and intermediate directions —

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.8.15.23)

यैर्यत्र दृश्यते भास्वान्स तेषामुदयः स्मृतः । तिरोभावं च यत्रैति तत्रैवास्तमनं रवेः

yairyatra dṛśyate bhāsvānsa teṣāmudayaḥ smṛtaḥ | tirobhāvaṁ ca yatraiti tatraivāstamanaṁ raveḥ

Wherever, by whomever, the shining sun is seen — for them that moment is reckoned his rising; and wherever he passes out of sight, there indeed is his setting.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.8.15.24)

नैवास्तमनमर्कस्य नोदयः सर्वदा सतः । उदयास्तमनाख्यं हि दर्शनादर्शनं रवेः

naivāstamanamarkasya nodayaḥ sarvadā sataḥ | udayāstamanākhyaṁ hi darśanādarśanaṁ raveḥ

In truth, the sun, who always exists, has neither setting nor rising; what is called the sun's "rising and setting" is nothing but his being seen and not being seen.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.8.15.25)

शक्रादीनां पुरे तिष्ठन्स्पृशत्येष पुरत्रयम् । विकर्णौ द्वौ विकर्णस्थस्त्रीन्कोणान्द्वे पुरे तथा

śakrādīnāṁ pure tiṣṭhanspṛśatyeṣa puratrayam | vikarṇau dvau vikarṇasthastrīnkoṇāndve pure tathā

Standing in the city of Indra or the other guardians, the sun in this way touches three cities at once; when positioned at a diagonal point, he touches the three corners of two diagonal cities, and two cities directly,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.8.15.26)

सर्वेषां द्वीपवर्षाणां मेरुरुत्तरतः स्थितः । यैर्यत्र दृश्यते भानुः सैव प्राचीति चोच्यते

sarveṣāṁ dvīpavarṣāṇāṁ meruruttarataḥ sthitaḥ | yairyatra dṛśyate bhānuḥ saiva prācīti cocyate

For all the continents and their regions, Meru stands toward the north. Wherever, by whomever, the sun is seen to rise, that very direction is called 'east' for them,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.8.15.27)

तद्वामभागतो मेरुर्वर्ततेति विनिर्णयः । यदि चैन्द्र्याः प्रचलते घटिका दशपञ्चभिः

tadvāmabhāgato merurvartateti vinirṇayaḥ | yadi caindryāḥ pracalate ghaṭikā daśapañcabhiḥ

— and, viewed thus, Meru is reckoned to lie on their left. If, starting from Indra's city, the sun advances through fifteen ghatikas,

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.8.15.28)

याम्यां तदा योजनानां सपादं कोटियुग्मकम् । सार्धद्वादशलक्षाणि पञ्चनेत्रसहस्रकम्

yāmyāṁ tadā yojanānāṁ sapādaṁ koṭiyugmakam | sārdhadvādaśalakṣāṇi pañcanetrasahasrakam

— then, to reach Yama's city, he traverses a distance of two-and-a-quarter crore yojanas, twelve-and-a-half lakh, and five thousand more —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.8.15.29)

प्रक्रामति सहस्रांशुः कालमार्गप्रदर्शकः । एवं ततो वारुणीं च सौम्यामैन्द्रीं सहस्रदृक्

prakrāmati sahasrāṁśuḥ kālamārgapradarśakaḥ | evaṁ tato vāruṇīṁ ca saumyāmaindrīṁ sahasradṛk

— this the thousand-rayed sun traverses, the revealer of time's path. In just the same way, from there onward to Varuna's city, to Soma's city, and again to Indra's city, that thousand-eyed sun —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.8.15.30)

पर्येति कालचक्रात्मा द्युमणिः कालबुद्धये । तथा चान्ये ग्रहाः सोमादयो ये दिग्विचारिणः

paryeti kālacakrātmā dyumaṇiḥ kālabuddhaye | tathā cānye grahāḥ somādayo ye digvicāriṇaḥ

— the sun, who is the very embodiment of the wheel of time, circles for the reckoning of time. And likewise the other planets, beginning with the Moon, which move through the directions —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.8.15.31)

नक्षत्रैः सह चोद्यन्ति सह चास्तं व्रजन्ति ते । एवं मुहूर्तेन रथो भानोरष्टशताधिकम्

nakṣatraiḥ saha codyanti saha cāstaṁ vrajanti te | evaṁ muhūrtena ratho bhānoraṣṭaśatādhikam

— rise together with the lunar mansions and set together with them. Thus, within a single muhurta, the sun's chariot travels more than eight hundred —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.8.15.32)

योजनानां चतुस्त्रिंशल्लक्षाणि भ्रमति प्रभुः । त्रयीमयश्चतुर्दिक्षु पुरीषु च समीरणात्

yojanānāṁ catustriṁśallakṣāṇi bhramati prabhuḥ | trayīmayaścaturdikṣu purīṣu ca samīraṇāt

— the Lord travels thirty-four lakh and upward of eight hundred yojanas in a single muhurta. He who embodies the threefold Veda travels, by the power of the wind, to the cities in the four directions —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.8.15.33)

प्रवहाख्यात्सदा कालचक्रं पर्येति भानुमान् । यस्य चक्रं रथस्यैकं द्वादशारं त्रिनाभिकम्

pravahākhyātsadā kālacakraṁ paryeti bhānumān | yasya cakraṁ rathasyaikaṁ dvādaśāraṁ trinābhikam

— driven by the wind called Pravaha, the sun forever circles the wheel of time. His chariot has a single wheel, twelve-spoked and three-naved,

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.8.15.34)

षण्नेमि कवयस्तं च वत्सरात्मकमूचिरे । मेरुमूर्धनि तस्याक्षो मानसोत्तरपर्वते

ṣaṇnemi kavayastaṁ ca vatsarātmakamūcire | merumūrdhani tasyākṣo mānasottaraparvate

— with six rims; the wise have declared it to embody the year itself. Its axle is fixed on the summit of Meru and upon Mount Manasottara,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.8.15.35)

कृतेतरविभागो यः प्रोतं तत्र रथाङ्गकम् । तैलकारकयन्त्रेण चक्रसाम्यं परिभ्रमन्

kṛtetaravibhāgo yaḥ protaṁ tatra rathāṅgakam | tailakārakayantreṇa cakrasāmyaṁ paribhraman

— with its two ends distinctly formed, on which the chariot's wheel is strung. Revolving evenly, like the wheel of an oil-press,

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.8.15.36)

मानसोत्तरनाम्नीह गिरौ पर्येति चांशुमान् । तस्मिन्नक्षे कृतं मूलं द्वितीयोऽक्षो ध्रुवे कृतः

mānasottaranāmnīha girau paryeti cāṁśumān | tasminnakṣe kṛtaṁ mūlaṁ dvitīyo'kṣo dhruve kṛtaḥ

— the radiant sun circles upon the mountain named Manasottara. Of that axle, one end is fixed there at Manasottara, and the second end is fixed at Dhruva,

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.8.15.37)

तुर्यमानेन तैलस्य यन्त्राक्षवदितीरितः । कृतोपरितनो भागः सूर्यस्य जगतां पतेः

turyamānena tailasya yantrākṣavaditīritaḥ | kṛtoparitano bhāgaḥ sūryasya jagatāṁ pateḥ

— turning through a quarter measure, as it is described, like the axle of an oil-mill. The upper portion belongs to the sun, lord of the worlds, fashioned thus,

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.8.15.38)

रथनीडस्तु षट्त्रिंशल्लक्षयोजनमायतः । तत्तुर्यभागतः सोऽयं परिणाहेन कीर्तितः

rathanīḍastu ṣaṭtriṁśallakṣayojanamāyataḥ | tatturyabhāgataḥ so'yaṁ pariṇāhena kīrtitaḥ

— the chariot's body extends thirty-six lakh yojanas in length; and its circumference is declared to be a quarter of that,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.8.15.39)

तावानर्करथस्यात्र युगस्तस्मिन्हयाः शुभाः । सप्तच्छन्दोऽभिधानाश्च सूरसूतेन योजिताः

tāvānarkarathasyātra yugastasminhayāḥ śubhāḥ | saptacchando'bhidhānāśca sūrasūtena yojitāḥ

The sun's chariot yoke is of that same length; upon it are harnessed seven auspicious horses, named after the Vedic metres, yoked by the sun's own charioteer,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.8.15.40)

वहन्ति देवमादित्यं लोकानां सुखहेतवे । पुरस्तात्सवितुः सूतोऽरुणः पश्चान्नियोजितः

vahanti devamādityaṁ lokānāṁ sukhahetave | purastātsavituḥ sūto'ruṇaḥ paścānniyojitaḥ

— carrying the divine Sun for the happiness of the worlds. In front of the sun, seated facing backward, is his charioteer Aruna,

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.8.15.41)

सौत्ये कर्मणि संयुक्तो वर्तते गरुडाग्रजः । तथैव बालखिल्याख्या ऋषयोऽङ्गुष्ठपर्वकाः

sautye karmaṇi saṁyukto vartate garuḍāgrajaḥ | tathaiva bālakhilyākhyā ṛṣayo'ṅguṣṭhaparvakāḥ

— the elder brother of Garuda, engaged in the task of charioteering. Likewise the sages called Balakhilyas, each no bigger than a thumb-joint,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.8.15.42)

प्रमाणेन परिख्याताः षष्टिसाहस्रसङ्ख्यकाः । स्तुवन्ति पुरतः सूर्यं सूक्तवाक्यैः सुशोभनैः

pramāṇena parikhyātāḥ ṣaṣṭisāhasrasaṅkhyakāḥ | stuvanti purataḥ sūryaṁ sūktavākyaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ

— celebrated in that measure, sixty thousand in number, praise the sun before him with beautiful Vedic hymns.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.8.15.43)

तथा चान्ये च ऋषयो गन्धर्वा अप्सरोरगाः । ग्रामण्यो यातुधानाश्च देवाः सर्वे परेश्वरम्

tathā cānye ca ṛṣayo gandharvā apsaroragāḥ | grāmaṇyo yātudhānāśca devāḥ sarve pareśvaram

And likewise other sages, Gandharvas, Apsarases, serpent-folk, Gramanis, Yatudhanas, and all the gods attend upon that Supreme Lord —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.8.15.44)

एकैकशः सप्त सप्त मासि मासि विरोचनम् । सार्धलक्षोत्तरं कोटिनवकं भूमिमण्डलम्

ekaikaśaḥ sapta sapta māsi māsi virocanam | sārdhalakṣottaraṁ koṭinavakaṁ bhūmimaṇḍalam

— each group of seven attending the radiant sun, month by month. He circles the terrestrial sphere — a distance of nine crore and one-and-a-half lakh yojanas,

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.8.15.45)

द्विसहस्रं योजनानां स गव्यूत्युत्तरं क्षणात् । पर्येति देवदेवेशो विश्वव्यापी निरन्तरम्

dvisahasraṁ yojanānāṁ sa gavyūtyuttaraṁ kṣaṇāt | paryeti devadeveśo viśvavyāpī nirantaram

— plus two thousand yojanas and one further gavyuti, that god of gods, pervading the universe, ceaselessly circles it in a single instant.