FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.21.16

पुरस्तात्सवितुररुण: पश्चाच्च नियुक्त: सौत्ये कर्मणि किलास्ते ॥ १६ ॥
purastāt savitur aruṇaḥ paścāc ca niyuktaḥ sautye karmaṇi kilāste.
[purastaat savitur arunah pashchaach cha niyuktah sautye karmani kilaaste.]
Word-for-word
purastāt — in front savituḥ — of the sun-god aruṇaḥ — the demigod named Aruṇa paścāt — looking backward ca — and niyuktaḥ — engaged sautye — of a charioteer karmaṇi — in the work kila — certainly āste — remains.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
purastāt savitur aruṇaḥ paścāc ca niyuktaḥ sautye karmaṇi kilāste.
purastāt
in front
savituḥ
of the sun-god
aruṇaḥ
the demigod named Aruṇa
paścāt
looking backward
ca
and
niyuktaḥ
engaged
sautye
of a charioteer
karmaṇi
in the work
kila
certainly
āste
remains.
Although Aruṇadeva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god.
Purport

In the Vāyu Purāṇa the position of the horses is described:

saptāśva-rūpa-cchandāṁsī vahante vāmato ravim cakra-pakṣa-nibaddhāni cakre vākṣaḥ samāhitaḥ

Although Aruṇadeva is in the front seat, controlling the horses, he looks back toward the sun-god from his left side.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Although Aruṇa sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god. Though seated in form, he faces backwards. Vāyu Purāṇa describes the horses: saptāśva-rūpa-cchandāṁsi vahante vāmato ravim cakra-pakṣa-nibaddhāni cakre vākṣaḥ samāhitaḥ The seven horses are the seven Vedic meters. They carry the sun from the left and are bound to the side of the wheel. The axel is connected with the wheel.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Even Aruṇadeva, the driver, looks back at the sun-god while driving forward. Real work always keeps an eye on the source of authority, not just on the road. Don't lose your backward glance while doing your forward work.
Reflection Questions
  • While I am 'driving' my projects, am I keeping a backward glance toward the Lord?
  • What practice could become my version of looking over my shoulder at the source?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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