CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The Orbits of the Planets

In this chapter the orbits of the planets are described. According to the
movements of the moon and other planets, all the inhabitants of the
universe are prone to auspicious and inauspicious situations. This is
referred to as the influence of the stars.

The sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire universe, especially
in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes and so on, is considered an ex-
pansion of Narayana. He represents the three Vedas—Rg, Yajur and
Sdma—and therefore he is known as Trayimaya, the form of Lord
Narayana. Sometimes the sun-god is also called Sarya Narayana. The
sun-god has expanded himself in twelve divisions, and thus he controls
the six seasonal changes and causes winter, summer, rain and so on.
Yogis and karmis following the varndsrama institution, who practice
hatha or astérga-yoga or who perform agnihotra sacrifices, worship
Sarya Narayana for their own benefit. The demigod Surya is always in
touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana. Residing in
outer space, which is in the middle of the universe, between Bhaloka and
Bhuvarloka, the sun rotates through the time circle of the zodiac, repre-
sented by twelve rdsis, or signs, and assumes different names according
to the sign he is in. For the moon, every month is divided into two
fortnights. Similarly, according to solar calculations, a month is equal to
the time the sun spends in one constellation; two months constitute one
season, and there are twelve months in a year. The entire area of the sky
is divided into two halves, each representing an ayana, the course tra-
versed by the sun within a period of six months. The sun travels some-
times slowly, sometimes swiftly and sometimes at a moderate speed. In
this way it travels within the three worlds, consisting of the heavenly
planets, the earthly planets and outer space. These orbits are referred to
by great learned scholars by the names Sarnvatsara, Parivatsara, Idavat-
sara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.

The moon is situated 100,000 yojanas above the rays of the sunshine.
Day and night on the heavenly planets and Pitrloka are calculated ac-

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