Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 8 — Chapter 15
DB 8 15.1
भुवनकोशवर्णने सूर्यगतिवर्णनम् श्रीनारायण उवाच अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि भानोर्गमनमुत्तमम् । शीघ्रमन्दादिगतिभिस्त्रिविधं गमनं रवेः
bhuvanakośavarṇane sūryagativarṇanam śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi bhānorgamanamuttamam | śīghramandādigatibhistrividhaṃ gamanaṃ raveḥ
In the description of the sphere of the worlds, the description of the sun's motion. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: Next I shall declare the excellent course of the sun: the sun's motion is threefold, by the swift, slow, (and middling) speeds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.2
सर्वग्रहाणां त्रीण्येव स्थानानि सुरसत्तम । स्थानं जारद्गवं मध्यं तथैरावतमुत्तरम्
sarvagrahāṇāṃ trīṇyeva sthānāni surasattama | sthānaṃ jāradgavaṃ madhyaṃ tathairāvatamuttaram
For all the planets there are just three stations, O best of the gods: the middle station is the Jāradgava, and the northern is the Airāvata,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.3
वैश्वानरं दक्षिणतो निर्दिष्टमिति तत्त्वतः । अश्विनी कृत्तिका याम्या नागवीथीति शब्दिता
vaiśvānaraṃ dakṣiṇato nirdiṣṭamiti tattvataḥ | aśvinī kṛttikā yāmyā nāgavīthīti śabditā
and the Vaiśvānara is declared to be to the south—so it is in truth. Aśvinī, Kṛttikā and (Bharaṇī) the southern one are called the Serpent's Path (Nāgavīthī).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.4
रोहिण्यार्द्रा मृगशिरो गजवीथ्यभिधीयते । पुष्याश्लेषा तथाऽऽदित्या वीथी चैरावती स्मृता
rohiṇyārdrā mṛgaśiro gajavīthyabhidhīyate | puṣyāśleṣā tathā''dityā vīthī cairāvatī smṛtā
Rohiṇī, Ārdrā and Mṛgaśiras are called the Elephant's Path (Gajavīthī); Puṣya, Āśleṣā and likewise Punarvasu (the Āditya asterism) are held to be the Airāvatī Path.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 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, then, are said to be the northern road. Likewise the two Phalgunīs and Maghā are held to be the Bull's (Ārṣabhī) path.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 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, Citrā and likewise Svātī are called the Cow's Path (Govīthī); Jyeṣṭhā, Viśākhā and Anurādhā are held to be the Jāradgavī path.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.7
एतास्तु वीथयस्तिस्रो मध्यमो मार्ग उच्यते । मूलाषाढोत्तराषाढा अजवीथ्यभिशब्दिता
etāstu vīthayastisro madhyamo mārga ucyate | mūlāṣāḍhottarāṣāḍhā ajavīthyabhiśabditā
These three paths, then, are said to be the middle road. Mūlā, (Pūrva)āṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā are called the Goat's Path (Ajavīthī).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.8
श्रवणं च धनिष्ठा च मार्गी शतभिषक् तथा । वैश्वानरी भाद्रपदे रेवती चैव कीर्तिता
śravaṇaṃ ca dhaniṣṭhā ca mārgī śatabhiṣak tathā | vaiśvānarī bhādrapade revatī caiva kīrtitā
Śravaṇa, Dhaniṣṭhā and likewise Śatabhiṣaj are the Mārgī path; the two Bhādrapadās and Revatī are proclaimed the Vaiśvānarī.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.9
एतास्तु वीथयस्तिस्रो दक्षिणो मार्ग उच्यते । उत्तरायणमासाद्य युगाक्षान्तर्निबद्धयोः
etāstu vīthayastisro dakṣiṇo mārga ucyate | uttarāyaṇamāsādya yugākṣāntarnibaddhayoḥ
These three paths, then, are said to be the southern road. When (the sun) reaches the northern course, of the two (reins) fastened within the yoke and axle,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.10
कर्षणं पाशयोर्वायुबद्धयो रोहणं स्मृतम् । तदाभ्यन्तरगान्मण्डलाद्रथस्य गतेर्भवेत्
karṣaṇaṃ pāśayorvāyubaddhayo rohaṇaṃ smṛtam | tadābhyantaragānmaṇḍalādrathasya gaterbhavet
there is a drawing-tight of the two reins bound by the wind—this is called the ascent. Then, because the chariot's course goes along an inner circle, there comes about
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.11
मान्द्यं दिवसवृद्धिश्च जायते सुरसत्तम । रात्रिह्रासश्च भवति सौम्यायनक्रमो ह्ययम्
māndyaṃ divasavṛddhiśca jāyate surasattama | rātrihrāsaśca bhavati saumyāyanakramo hyayam
slowness and increase of the day, O best of the gods; and there is a shortening of the night. This indeed is the sequence of the northern (saumya) course.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.12
दक्षिणायनके पाशे प्रेरणादवरोहणम् । बहिर्मण्डलवेशेन गतिशैघ्र्यं तदा भवेत्
dakṣiṇāyanake pāśe preraṇādavarohaṇam | bahirmaṇḍalaveśena gatiśaighryaṃ tadā bhavet
In the southern course, from the pushing forward of the rein there is descent; and then, by entering the outer circle, there comes swiftness of motion.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.13
तदा दिनाल्पता रात्रिवृद्धिश्च परिकीर्तिता । वैषुवे पाशसाम्यात्तु समावस्थानतो रवेः
tadā dinālpatā rātrivṛddhiśca parikīrtitā | vaiṣuve pāśasāmyāttu samāvasthānato raveḥ
Then shortness of the day and lengthening of the night are declared. But at the equinox, because the reins are even and because the sun stands in a balanced position,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.14
मध्यमण्डलवेशश्च साम्यं रात्रिदिनादिके । आकृष्येते यदा तौ तु ध्रुवेण समधिष्ठितौ
madhyamaṇḍalaveśaśca sāmyaṃ rātridinādike | ākṛṣyete yadā tau tu dhruveṇa samadhiṣṭhitau
there is entry into the middle circle, and equality in respect of night and day and the rest. But when those two, held fast by the Pole Star, are drawn in,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.15
तदाभ्यन्तरतः सूर्यो भ्रमते मण्डलानि च । ध्रुवेण मुच्यमानेन पुना रश्मियुगेन तु भुवनकोशवर्णने सूर्यगतिवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः
tadābhyantarataḥ sūryo bhramate maṇḍalāni ca | dhruveṇa mucyamānena punā raśmiyugena tu bhuvanakośavarṇane sūryagativarṇanaṃ nāma pañcadaśo'dhyāyaḥ
then the sun revolves through the circles on the inner side. But again, when the pair of cords is released by the Pole Star— Thus (ends) the fifteenth chapter, named 'The Description of the Sun's Motion', in the Description of the Sphere of the Worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.16
तथैव बाह्यतः सूर्यो भ्रमते मण्डलानि च । तस्मिन्मेरौ पूर्वभागे पुर्यैन्द्री देवधानिका
tathaiva bāhyataḥ sūryo bhramate maṇḍalāni ca | tasminmerau pūrvabhāge puryaindrī devadhānikā
—just so the sun revolves through the circles on the outer side. On that Meru, in the eastern quarter, is Indra's city, Devadhānikā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.17
दक्षिणे वै संयमनी नाम याम्या महापुरी । पश्चान्निम्लोचनी नाम वारुणी वै महापुरी
dakṣiṇe vai saṃyamanī nāma yāmyā mahāpurī | paścānnimlocanī nāma vāruṇī vai mahāpurī
In the south is Yama's great city named Saṃyamanī; in the west is Varuṇa's great city named Nimlocanī.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.18
तदुत्तरे पुरी सौम्या प्रोक्ता नाम विभावरी । ऐन्द्रपुर्यां रवेः प्रोक्त उदयो ब्रह्मवादिभिः
taduttare purī saumyā proktā nāma vibhāvarī | aindrapuryāṃ raveḥ prokta udayo brahmavādibhiḥ
To the north of that, the great city is declared to be the northern one named Vibhāvarī; the sun's rising, say those who speak of Brahman, is in Indra's city.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.19
संयमन्यां च मध्याह्ने निम्लोचन्यां निमीलनम् । विभावर्यां निशीथः स्यात्तिग्मांशोः सुरपूजितः
saṃyamanyāṃ ca madhyāhne nimlocanyāṃ nimīlanam | vibhāvaryāṃ niśīthaḥ syāttigmāṃśoḥ surapūjitaḥ
In Saṃyamanī it is midday, in Nimlocanī the setting (closing of the eyes), and in Vibhāvarī it is midnight for the sharp-rayed one honoured by the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.20
प्रवृत्तेश्च निमित्तानि भूतानां तानि सर्वशः । मेरोश्चतुर्दिशं भानोः कीर्तितानि मया मुने
pravṛtteśca nimittāni bhūtānāṃ tāni sarvaśaḥ | meroścaturdiśaṃ bhānoḥ kīrtitāni mayā mune
And these, in all respects, are the marks of the (sun's) course for living beings; they have been declared by me, O sage, with reference to the sun in the four directions from Meru.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.21
मेरुस्थानां सदा मध्यं गत एव विभाति हि । सव्यं गच्छन्दक्षिणेन करोति स्वर्णपर्वतम्
merusthānāṃ sadā madhyaṃ gata eva vibhāti hi | savyaṃ gacchandakṣiṇena karoti svarṇaparvatam
For (the sun), having gone to what is always the middle for those dwelling on Meru, shines forth; moving leftwards, he keeps the golden mountain on his right.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.22
उदयास्तमये चैव सर्वकालं तु सम्मुखे । दिशास्वशेषासु तथा सुरर्षे विदिशासु च
udayāstamaye caiva sarvakālaṃ tu sammukhe | diśāsvaśeṣāsu tathā surarṣe vidiśāsu ca
And at rising and at setting he is at all times face to face (with Meru), also in the remaining directions and in the intermediate directions, O sage of the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.23
यैर्यत्र दृश्यते भास्वान्स तेषामुदयः स्मृतः । तिरोभावं च यत्रैति तत्रैवास्तमनं रवेः
yairyatra dṛśyate bhāsvānsa teṣāmudayaḥ smṛtaḥ | tirobhāvaṃ ca yatraiti tatraivāstamanaṃ raveḥ
By whom, and where, the shining one is seen — that is held to be their sunrise; and where he goes to disappearance, just there is the sun's setting.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.24
नैवास्तमनमर्कस्य नोदयः सर्वदा सतः । उदयास्तमनाख्यं हि दर्शनादर्शनं रवेः
naivāstamanamarkasya nodayaḥ sarvadā sataḥ | udayāstamanākhyaṃ hi darśanādarśanaṃ raveḥ
There is neither a setting nor a rising of the sun, who exists always; for what is called rising and setting is the sun's being seen and not being seen.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.25
शक्रादीनां पुरे तिष्ठन्स्पृशत्येष पुरत्रयम् । विकर्णौ द्वौ विकर्णस्थस्त्रीन्कोणान्द्वे पुरे तथा
śakrādīnāṃ pure tiṣṭhanspṛśatyeṣa puratrayam | vikarṇau dvau vikarṇasthastrīnkoṇāndve pure tathā
Standing in the city of Śakra and the others, he touches three cities; standing at an intermediate point he touches the two intermediate points, three corners, and likewise two cities.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.26
सर्वेषां द्वीपवर्षाणां मेरुरुत्तरतः स्थितः । यैर्यत्र दृश्यते भानुः सैव प्राचीति चोच्यते
sarveṣāṃ dvīpavarṣāṇāṃ meruruttarataḥ sthitaḥ | yairyatra dṛśyate bhānuḥ saiva prācīti cocyate
For all the continents and their regions Meru stands to the north; and that (quarter) in which the sun is seen by whomever is called the east for them.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.27
तद्वामभागतो मेरुर्वर्ततेति विनिर्णयः । यदि चैन्द्र्याः प्रचलते घटिका दशपञ्चभिः
tadvāmabhāgato merurvartateti vinirṇayaḥ | yadi caindryāḥ pracalate ghaṭikā daśapañcabhiḥ
The conclusion is that Meru lies to the left of that. And if he moves from Indra's (city) by fifteen ghaṭikās,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.28
याम्यां तदा योजनानां सपादं कोटियुग्मकम् । सार्धद्वादशलक्षाणि पञ्चनेत्रसहस्रकम्
yāmyāṃ tadā yojanānāṃ sapādaṃ koṭiyugmakam | sārdhadvādaśalakṣāṇi pañcanetrasahasrakam
then toward the southern (city) two crores of yojanas plus a quarter, twelve and a half lakhs, and five thousand two hundred —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.29
प्रक्रामति सहस्रांशुः कालमार्गप्रदर्शकः । एवं ततो वारुणीं च सौम्यामैन्द्रीं सहस्रदृक्
prakrāmati sahasrāṃśuḥ kālamārgapradarśakaḥ | evaṃ tato vāruṇīṃ ca saumyāmaindrīṃ sahasradṛk
— so far does the thousand-rayed one advance, he who shows the path of time. Thus from there the thousand-eyed one (goes) to the western, the northern, and Indra's (city),
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 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, whose self is the wheel of time, circles round for the reckoning of time; and likewise the other planets, the moon and the rest, which move through the quarters,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.31
नक्षत्रैः सह चोद्यन्ति सह चास्तं व्रजन्ति ते । एवं मुहूर्तेन रथो भानोरष्टशताधिकम्
nakṣatraiḥ saha codyanti saha cāstaṃ vrajanti te | evaṃ muhūrtena ratho bhānoraṣṭaśatādhikam
rise together with the lunar mansions and together set. Thus in one muhūrta the chariot of the sun (travels) thirty-four lakhs of yojanas and eight hundred more;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.32
योजनानां चतुस्त्रिंशल्लक्षाणि भ्रमति प्रभुः । त्रयीमयश्चतुर्दिक्षु पुरीषु च समीरणात्
yojanānāṃ catustriṃśallakṣāṇi bhramati prabhuḥ | trayīmayaścaturdikṣu purīṣu ca samīraṇāt
so far does the lord revolve. Made of the triple Veda, (he moves) among the cities in the four directions by the wind
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.33
प्रवहाख्यात्सदा कालचक्रं पर्येति भानुमान् । यस्य चक्रं रथस्यैकं द्वादशारं त्रिनाभिकम्
pravahākhyātsadā kālacakraṃ paryeti bhānumān | yasya cakraṃ rathasyaikaṃ dvādaśāraṃ trinābhikam
called Pravaha; the sun ever circles the wheel of time. His chariot has a single wheel with twelve spokes and three hubs,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.34
षण्नेमि कवयस्तं च वत्सरात्मकमूचिरे । मेरुमूर्धनि तस्याक्षो मानसोत्तरपर्वते
ṣaṇnemi kavayastaṃ ca vatsarātmakamūcire | merumūrdhani tasyākṣo mānasottaraparvate
and six rim-segments; the poets have called it (the wheel) the very self of the year. Its axle is on the summit of Meru, on the Mānasottara mountain,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.35
कृतेतरविभागो यः प्रोतं तत्र रथाङ्गकम् । तैलकारकयन्त्रेण चक्रसाम्यं परिभ्रमन्
kṛtetaravibhāgo yaḥ protaṃ tatra rathāṅgakam | tailakārakayantreṇa cakrasāmyaṃ paribhraman
the portion other than the kṛta — there the chariot's wheel is fixed, revolving like the wheel-equivalent of an oil-presser's machine.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.36
मानसोत्तरनाम्नीह गिरौ पर्येति चांशुमान् । तस्मिन्नक्षे कृतं मूलं द्वितीयोऽक्षो ध्रुवे कृतः
mānasottaranāmnīha girau paryeti cāṃśumān | tasminnakṣe kṛtaṃ mūlaṃ dvitīyo'kṣo dhruve kṛtaḥ
Here on the mountain named Mānasottara the sun goes round. In that axle the base is fixed; the second axle is fixed on the Pole Star,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.37
तुर्यमानेन तैलस्य यन्त्राक्षवदितीरितः । कृतोपरितनो भागः सूर्यस्य जगतां पतेः
turyamānena tailasya yantrākṣavaditīritaḥ | kṛtoparitano bhāgaḥ sūryasya jagatāṃ pateḥ
set in motion like the axle of an oil-mill by a quarter measure of the oil. The upper part of the kṛta belongs to the Sun, the lord of the worlds.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.38
रथनीडस्तु षट्त्रिंशल्लक्षयोजनमायतः । तत्तुर्यभागतः सोऽयं परिणाहेन कीर्तितः
rathanīḍastu ṣaṭtriṃśallakṣayojanamāyataḥ | tatturyabhāgataḥ so'yaṃ pariṇāhena kīrtitaḥ
But the chariot's cabin measures thirty-six lakh yojanas in length; its circumference is declared to be a fourth of that.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.39
तावानर्करथस्यात्र युगस्तस्मिन्हयाः शुभाः । सप्तच्छन्दोऽभिधानाश्च सूरसूतेन योजिताः
tāvānarkarathasyātra yugastasminhayāḥ śubhāḥ | saptacchando'bhidhānāśca sūrasūtena yojitāḥ
So great too is the yoke of the sun's chariot here; to it the auspicious horses, named after the seven metres, are harnessed by the Sun's charioteer.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.40
वहन्ति देवमादित्यं लोकानां सुखहेतवे । पुरस्तात्सवितुः सूतोऽरुणः पश्चान्नियोजितः
vahanti devamādityaṃ lokānāṃ sukhahetave | purastātsavituḥ sūto'ruṇaḥ paścānniyojitaḥ
They carry the god Āditya, for the happiness of the worlds. The charioteer Aruṇa is placed in front of the Sun, (facing) backwards.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.41
सौत्ये कर्मणि संयुक्तो वर्तते गरुडाग्रजः । तथैव बालखिल्याख्या ऋषयोऽङ्गुष्ठपर्वकाः
sautye karmaṇi saṃyukto vartate garuḍāgrajaḥ | tathaiva bālakhilyākhyā ṛṣayo'ṅguṣṭhaparvakāḥ
The elder brother of Garuḍa is engaged, joined to the office of charioteer. So too the sages called Bālakhilyas, of the size of a thumb-joint,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.42
प्रमाणेन परिख्याताः षष्टिसाहस्रसंख्यकाः । स्तुवन्ति पुरतः सूर्यं सूक्तवाक्यैः सुशोभनैः
pramāṇena parikhyātāḥ ṣaṣṭisāhasrasaṃkhyakāḥ | stuvanti purataḥ sūryaṃ sūktavākyaiḥ suśobhanaiḥ
reckoned by measure (as such), sixty thousand in number, praise the Sun before him with beautiful words of hymns.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 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, serpents, village-chiefs and yātudhānas, and all the gods (praise) the supreme lord,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 8 15.44
एकैकशः सप्त सप्त मासि मासि विरोचनम् । सार्धलक्षोत्तरं कोटिनवकं भूमिमण्डलम्
ekaikaśaḥ sapta sapta māsi māsi virocanam | sārdhalakṣottaraṃ koṭinavakaṃ bhūmimaṇḍalam
seven by seven, one group each, month by month, (attending) the shining one. The earth's circle is nine crore plus a lakh and a half (yojanas);
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 8 15.45
द्विसहस्रं योजनानां स गव्यूत्युत्तरं क्षणात् । पर्येति देवदेवेशो विश्वव्यापी निरन्तरम्
dvisahasraṃ yojanānāṃ sa gavyūtyuttaraṃ kṣaṇāt | paryeti devadeveśo viśvavyāpī nirantaram
in an instant (he traverses) two thousand yojanas and a gavyūti more; the god of the gods, all-pervading, circles round without cease.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition