2023-02-23 18:49:04 by ambuda-bot
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THE SŪRYASATAKA OF MAYŪRA
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supposed to exist in each varşa, or continental division, are meant. The
seven ranges of Bharatavarşa (India) are enumerated in the Vişnu
Purana, 2.3 (Wilson, vol. 2, p. 127, note 2). 4. On Meru's composition
of gold and precious stones, cf. stanza 1, note 4. 5. With the com-
pound padmaragdyamaṇaḥ, 'appearing as the ruby,' compare the similar
formations, vetrayamāṇāḥ, 'appearing as the doorkeepers,' in stanza 11,
and satradhärāyamāṇaḥ, 'appearing as the director,' in stanza 50.
6.
The horses of Sürya were supposed to be greenish in color (cf. stanza 8,
note 2); hence it is quite appropriate that they be compared to emeralds.
7. The commentary notes: 'Just as a golden sort of ornament, inlaid with
emeralds and rubies, often constitutes the adornment of any overlord of
earth-bearing kings, even so of this (Meru) also.' That is to say, Meru
is the king, the gleaming sunlight is the golden ornament, the dawn
(Aruņa) is the ruby, and the green (harit) horses are the emeralds. For
other similes contained in the Saryaśataka, cf. stanza 14, note 1.
V.L. (a) V-katakatato; HB taptathamikarakaṭakatatiślişṭaftetaraṇeśa
rasidat (B -anesa rasidat), VJ -fitetaramsor. (b) K-asvanukṛtamarakate.
(d) JH enamsy ahvaya; JH samayatu, VB famayatu.
57
nitvā 'śvān sapta kakṣā iva niyamavaśam vetrakalpapratodas
tūrṇam dhvāntasya rāśāv itarajana ivotsärite dūrabhāji
pūrvam praṣṭho rathasya kṣitibhṛdadhipatīn darśayams trāya-
tām vas
trailokyāsthānadānodyatadivasapateḥ prākpratīhārapālaḥ
[Aruna],¹ exercising a restraining control over his seven steeds,³
as [a doorkeeper would] over seven³ apartments, and pos-
sessing a goad like a [porter's] staff,
Quickly drives away to the far distance the [dark] mass of night,
as though [it were] a common person*;
[And], as the conductor from of old of [Surya's] car, he ushers
into view the lordly mountains,
And is the principal doorkeeper of (Sürya), Lord of Day,
[when that deity is] intent on granting audience to the three
worlds.
May [Aruna] protect you!
Notes. 1. Note throughout the stanza the comparison between Aruņa
and a doorkeeper. 2. Lit. 'having led the seven steeds to the control
of a restraint'; on the seven steeds, cf. stanza 8, note 2. 3. According
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177
supposed to exist in each varşa, or continental division, are meant. The
seven ranges of Bharatavarşa (India) are enumerated in the Vişnu
Purana, 2.3 (Wilson, vol. 2, p. 127, note 2). 4. On Meru's composition
of gold and precious stones, cf. stanza 1, note 4. 5. With the com-
pound padmaragdyamaṇaḥ, 'appearing as the ruby,' compare the similar
formations, vetrayamāṇāḥ, 'appearing as the doorkeepers,' in stanza 11,
and satradhärāyamāṇaḥ, 'appearing as the director,' in stanza 50.
6.
The horses of Sürya were supposed to be greenish in color (cf. stanza 8,
note 2); hence it is quite appropriate that they be compared to emeralds.
7. The commentary notes: 'Just as a golden sort of ornament, inlaid with
emeralds and rubies, often constitutes the adornment of any overlord of
earth-bearing kings, even so of this (Meru) also.' That is to say, Meru
is the king, the gleaming sunlight is the golden ornament, the dawn
(Aruņa) is the ruby, and the green (harit) horses are the emeralds. For
other similes contained in the Saryaśataka, cf. stanza 14, note 1.
V.L. (a) V-katakatato; HB taptathamikarakaṭakatatiślişṭaftetaraṇeśa
rasidat (B -anesa rasidat), VJ -fitetaramsor. (b) K-asvanukṛtamarakate.
(d) JH enamsy ahvaya; JH samayatu, VB famayatu.
57
nitvā 'śvān sapta kakṣā iva niyamavaśam vetrakalpapratodas
tūrṇam dhvāntasya rāśāv itarajana ivotsärite dūrabhāji
pūrvam praṣṭho rathasya kṣitibhṛdadhipatīn darśayams trāya-
tām vas
trailokyāsthānadānodyatadivasapateḥ prākpratīhārapālaḥ
[Aruna],¹ exercising a restraining control over his seven steeds,³
as [a doorkeeper would] over seven³ apartments, and pos-
sessing a goad like a [porter's] staff,
Quickly drives away to the far distance the [dark] mass of night,
as though [it were] a common person*;
[And], as the conductor from of old of [Surya's] car, he ushers
into view the lordly mountains,
And is the principal doorkeeper of (Sürya), Lord of Day,
[when that deity is] intent on granting audience to the three
worlds.
May [Aruna] protect you!
Notes. 1. Note throughout the stanza the comparison between Aruņa
and a doorkeeper. 2. Lit. 'having led the seven steeds to the control
of a restraint'; on the seven steeds, cf. stanza 8, note 2. 3. According
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