322 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 21
avabhdsayati—lights; dtma-bhdsé—by its own illuminating rays; sah—
that; esak—the sun globe; udagayana—of passing to the northern side
of the equator; daksina-ayana—of passing to the southern side of the
equator; vaisuvata—or of passing through the equator; samjnabhih—by
different names; mandya—characterized by slowness; saighrya—swift-
ness; samdnabhih—and by equality; gatibhih—by movement;
arohana—of rising; avarohana—of going down; samana—or of staying
in the middle; sthanesu—in positions; yatha-savanam—according to the
order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; abhipadyamaénah—mov-
ing; makara-ddisu—headed by the sign Makara (Capricorn); rdsisu—in
different signs; ahah-rdtrani—the days and nights; dirgha—long;
hrasva—short; samandni—equal; vidhatte—makes.
TRANSLATION
In the midst of that region of outer space [antariksa] is the most
opulent sun, the king of all the planets that emanate heat, such as
the moon. By the influence of its radiation, the sun heats the
universe and maintains its proper order. It also gives light to help
all living entities see. While passing toward the north, toward the
south or through the equator, in accordance with the order of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is said to move slowly, swiftly
or moderately. According to its movements in rising above, going
beneath or passing through the equator—and correspondingly
coming in touch with various signs of the zodiac, headed by
Makara [Capricorn]—days and nights are short, long or equal to
one another.
PURPORT
Lord Brahma prays in his Brahma-samhita (5.52):
yac caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam
raja samasta-sura-mirtir asesa-tejah
yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrta-kala-cakro
govindam ddi-purusam tam aham bhajami
“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead under whose control even the sun, which is considered to be the
