Dhruvamatsya, Dhruva-matsya: 1 definition
Introduction:
Dhruvamatsya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Sanskrit Vimarsah: The Dhruvabhrama-Yantra of PadmanābhaDhruvamatsya (ध्रुवमत्स्य):—The Dhruva-matsya is a constellation of twelve stars. Of these the stars at the mouth and tail of the fish figure are α and β in the constellation Ursa Minor. The remaining ten stars should include some of the stars in Ursa Minor. But no Sanskrit text seems to have described this constellation in detail.
In his commentary, Padmanābha explains the diurnal rotation thus:
“At the beginning of the creation, the resplendent Brahmā arranged two stars as the celestial poles at the end of the southern and northern directions so that the stellar sphere (bhacakra) can properly revolve in the sky towards the west, without any support but impelled by the Pravaha wind. These two stars were designated as the celestial poles. That which is the southern [Pole] Star is situated below the horizon at the degrees of the local latitude (palāṃśa). The northern Pole Star lies above the horizon at the degrees of the local latitude. Around the latter is seen a fish-shaped constellation consisting of twelve stars. This is designated as the Polar Fish (dhruva-matsya). Two bright stars are visible at its mouth and tail. Of these, the one at the mouth lies at an interval of three degrees (bhāga) from the [actual] Pole Star and the one at the tail lies at thirteen degrees. The two are separated from one another by sixteen degrees.”
The rotation of the Dhruva-matsya is known to earlier astronomers as well. Brahmagupta makes a brief reference to it in his Brāhmasphuṭa-siddhānta. Bhāskara II, in his Vāsanābhāṣya commentary on his Siddhāntaśiromaṇi, speaks of the daily rotation of the Dhruva-matsya in somewhat greater detail:
“When the Sun is situated in the lunar mansion Bharaṇī, then at the time of his setting, the Polar Fish becomes horizontal. The star at its mouth will be in the west and the star at the tail in the east. It means that the Sun would be in line with the star at the mouth. At the end of the night, the star at the mouth reverses its position and comes to the east and the star in the tail goes to the west. Then will be seen the rise of the Sun who is again in line with the star at the mouth.”
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Matsya, Dhruva.
Full-text: Dhatri.
Relevant text
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