Chapter 22 - Pole Star (dhruva)

Lomaharṣaṇa said:

1. Pole Star is situated at the tail end of the form of lord Viṣṇu in heaven which consists of constellations and which has the shape of Śiśumāra^[1] (the Gangetic porpoise).

2. He himself revolves and he makes the moon, sun and other planets too revolve. The constellations follow him in a circular orbit.

3. Along with the planets, the sun, moon, stars and constellations are tied to Dhruva by gaseous rows and lines.

4-5. Viṣṇu is the greatest abode. He is the support of that luminous form in heaven with the shape of Gangetic porpoise mentioned above.

(Meditating on the lord) in his heart, the son of Uttānapāda, Dhruva propitiated the Patriarch Brahmā and stationed himself at the tail end of the stellar Gangetic porpoise.

6. The support of Śiśumāra is Viṣṇu the presiding deity of all humanities. The Śiśumāra is the support of Dhruva and the sun is supported by Dhruva.

7. This entire universe including Devas, Asuras and human beings is supported by the sun. O brahmins, now listen, by what method he supports the universe.

8. For eight months the sun absorbs water in the form of juice. Then he showers water in the form of rain. That gives rise to food-grains. This entire universe rests on food.

9-10. After absorbing water from the universe by his hot rays, the sun nourishes the moon. By the water-essence passing through the gaseous nerves the moon is held aloft over the clouds having their forms evolved out of smoke, fire and wind. The clouds are called Abhras because they hold waters and do not let them fall off.

11. When nudged by the wind the waters in the clouds fall off. O brahmins, they attain the impressions of previous actions activised by the opportune time, and become pure.

12. O brahmins, the sun-god absorbs four types of waters, viz. those of rivers, oceans, earth and those present in the living beings.

13-14. The multi-rayed sun absorbs water from the celestial Gaṅgā and immediately discharges it on to the earth without allowing it to get entangled with the clouds,

O excellent brahmins, the man who has washed the dirt of all sins due to his contact with it never falls into hell. Indeed, it is said to be a divine bath.

15. On seeing the sun, that water falls from heaven without the clouds acting as intermediary. That water from the celestial Gaṅgā is absorbed and cast off by the rays of the sun.

16. The water that falls from heaven on seeing the sun during Kṛttikā and other stars should be known as the water of Gaṅgā poured out by the elephants of quarters.

17. The water that falls down during the even numbered (i.e. Rohiṇī, Ārdrā etc) from heaven after being absorbed by the sun is immediately scattered by the rays of the sun.

18. O brahmins, both of them are extremely meritorious to human beings. They dispel sins. O excellent brahmins, one can have divine absolution with the waters of celestial Gaṅgā.

19. O brahmins, the water that is showered by the clouds nourishes living beings and makes the medicinal herbs grow well. It is the nectar that enlivens all.

20. All kinds of medicinal plants increase thereby. Until they are mature and ripe they continue to be the means to the people.

21. Day by day men with the sacred scriptures as their guides perform sacrifices in the manner they have been laid down and thereby nourish the gods.

22-23. The entire universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings is supported by rain. Thus the sacrifices, Vedas, castes beginning with the brahmins, Devas, animals and the rest of living beings—everyone is supported by rain. O excellent sages that rain is generated by the sun.

24. O excellent sages the support of the sun is the Polar Star and that of the Polar Star is Śiśumāra and that support of Śiśumāra is Viṣṇu.

25-26. Viṣṇu is stationed in the heart of Śiśumāra. He maintains all living beings. He is the primordial cause and eternal.

Thus, O excellent sages, the cosmic egg has been cited by me along with the divisions of the earth, oceans etc. What else do you desire to know?

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Śiśumāra (the Gangetic porpoise) is a constellation, so called because it is in the shape of a crocodile. It is said to be the starry form of Viṣṇu. At the tail-end of it is Dhruva which automatically rotates and also makes planets like the sun and the moon to rotate. Stars follow the self-rotating Dhruva and rotate like a wheel.