23 - Information about Heavenly bodies (Stars, Planets etc.): The movement of the Polar Star

 Suta said:

1. That chariot is occupied and presided over by the Devas, Adityas, sages, Gandharvas, Divine damsels, Grāmaņis, Serpents and demons.1 

1. This sublime concept of the Solar chariot is based on Yajurveda 15.15.19. Here Devas, Sages and Gandharvas represent light and immortality the actinic portion of the solar spectra. The serpents, Gråmanis and Räkşhasas signify heat or death or the Thermal field of the spectra. This Heptad of the sun signifies the mutual difference in the different "Wave lengths" of the seven colours. This may be called the Puranic VIBGYOR. 

2-5a. These abide in the sun for the period of two months each in due order.2 

2. These verses (2-24) enumerate the names of the different devas, sages etc.--the heptad who occupy the solar chariot every month. These verses are common to the description of the Solar chariot in other Puraņas e.g. the Mt. P. 125. 1-34, Vå. P. 52. 1-26 with slight differences in the names of the occupants of the chariot. 

The following reside in the sun continuously in the months of Madhu and Madhava (Chaitra and Vaishakha) viz. (gods) Dhätri and Aryaman; (sages) Pulastya, Pulaha, the Prajapati; (serpents) Airāvata, Väsuki, Kaṁsa, Bhima; Rathakrut, and Rathaujas—these two are cited as Yakşhas; (Gandharvas) Tumburu, Nárada; (divine damsels) Susthala and Punjikasthala, (protector-demons), Heti and Praheti these two are cited as Yatudhanas. 

5b-8a. The following reside (in the sun) during the months of Suchi and Shukra (Jyestha and Aşhadha); (Gods) Mitra and Varuņa; the sages cited being Atri and the famous Vasişhtha; (Apsharas) Sahajanyā, Menakā; Pauruşheya, and Vadha who are cited as Rakshasas, the Gandharvas Háhá and Hūhū; Yajña (probably Yaksha and not Yajna): Rathasvana, Rathachitra, another named Nägasäkşhaka (rather Näga called Takşhaka) and Rambhaka. 

8b-11. Other deities also reside in the sun. The following group (of Devas and others) resides in the sun during the months of Nabhas and Nabhasya (Sravana and Bhadrapada) viz. (Gods) Indra and Vivasvan; (sages) Angiras, Bhrugu; the serpents: Elapatra and Sankbapala; (Gandharvas) Vishvavasu and Ugrasena, Sveta and Aruņa; (the two Apsharas) well known as Pramloca and Anumloca and the two Yātudhanas (demons) Sarpa and Vyāghra. 

12-15. Other pure deities and sages reside (in the sun) during the autumn (Āśhvina and Kärttika);(gods) Parjanya and Pūşhan; (sages) Bharadvaja along with Gautama; Parāvasu and Suruchi the Gandharvas; Viśhvāchī and Ghịtāchi the two (Apsharas) of splendid characteristics; Airavata and Dhanañjaya the well-known serpents and Syenajit and Suşheņa who are Senänis (commanders) and Gråmanis (or Yakshas). Apas and Väta these two are cited as Räkşhasas-All these always stay in the sun during the months of Asvina and Karttika. 

16-19. The following stay in the sun during the two months of Hemanta (Early Winter) ; they are the two (Devas) Amsha and Bhaga; (the two sages) Kåśhyapa and Kratu, the two serpents Mahapadma and Karkoțaka; the two Gandharvas Chitrasena and Urņāyu; the two celestial damsels Urvasi and Pūrvachitti: Tärksha and Aristanemi who are Senani (commanders) as Yakşhas and Vidyutsphūrja and Satäyu who are cited as Yåtuhanas (demons) these reside in the sun in the months of Saha and Sahasya (Mārgaśhīrsha and Pausha). 

20-23. The following reside in the sun during the months of Shishira (late winter). They are (gods) Tvastr, Vişhnu (sages) Jamadagnya, Vishvamitra; the two serpents Kambala and Ashvatara who are the sons of Kadru; the two Gandharvas Dhrutarăshtra and Suryavarcas; (the two celestial damsels) Tilottama, and Rambha; the demon Brahmapeta and the other wellknown demon Yajñåpeta, and Rutajit and Satyajit who are cited as Gandharvas* (rather Yakshas)-all these, O excellent sages, reside in the sun during the months of Tapas and Tapasya (Mágha and Phålguna.) 

* This is wrong as the pair of Gandharvas is already cited. The reading should be Gramanyau as in Vå.P.52.22. 

24. Making the Pitrus, Devas and Human beings well nourished, O Brāhmaṇas, Savitri the cause of days and nights goes on revolving. 

25. These Devas reside in the sun for periods of two months in due order. These twelve groups of seven (or heptads) identify themselves with their place of office and residence. 

26. By means of their splendour they increase the excellent splendour of the sun. By means of words (and prayers) composed by themselves, sages eulogise the sun. 

27. The Gandharvas and the Apsharas serve him by means of songs and dances. The Gråmaņis, Yakşhas and Bhūtas perform the worship of his rays. 

28. The serpents carry the sun, the demons follow him. From sunrise to sunset, the Valakhilyas surround the sun and lead him on. 

29-31. The sun who is the lord of all these, blazes with his brilliance in accordance with the virility, austerities, virtues, contacts, realities and strength of these (Devas etc.) 

Thus, these stay in the sun for periods of two months viz. the sages, the Devas, the Gandharvas, the serpents, the groups of celestial damsels, the Grāmaņis (or groupleaders) or the Yakshas and especially the demons. 

32-33. These blaze, shower rains, shine, blow and create. On being glorified they dispel the inauspicious demerits of all living beings. 

These remove the auspicious merit of evil-minded men. In some respects they remove the sins of men of good character and conduct. 

34. All these followers of the day revolve along with the sun. They shower rain on the subjects, they scorch them and they delight them (too). 

35-36. They protect all the living beings till the destination of the Manus. In the Manvantaras of the (Manus) of the past and future as well as those who are present, this is the abode of those who identify themselves. 

Thus those fourteen sets of seven reside in the sun in the course of the fourteen Manvantaras. 

37. The sun releases heat energy during the summer, He scatters rain during the rainy season and snow (during winter). He is the maker of day and night. He keeps up his movement in accordance with (the changing) seasons and gratifies the Devas, the Pitrus and the human beings with the rays suitably adapted. 

38. By means of the (ray) named Suşhumna, the sun develops the moon in the bright lialf day by day and makes it complete (on the full moon day). He propitiates the Devas by means of the nectar. The Devas imbibe it during the dark half. 

39. When the nectar of the moon is drunk, the moon loses all his digits except one during the dark half. At the close of it, the moon does not ooze out nectar from its rays. The Devas, the pitrus, the Saumyas and the Kavyas imbibe that nectar. 

40. Men conquer (satisfy) hunger by means of food-stuffs and beverages and medicinal herbs developed by means of rain, with waters lifted up and released by means of his rays by the sun. 

41. It is during the bright half that the Devas are propitiated by means of nectar and the pitrus (are done so) during the dark half (of the month). (The sun) perpetually sustains the human beings by means of food. He holds them well by means of his rays. 

42. The sun is being led by green horses. At that time, he removes (evaporates) water by means of his green rays. At the time of discharge (of water), he releases the water. Thus the sun sustains the mobile and immobile beings. 

43. The sun is being led by green horses. He drinks water by means of thousands of green rays. Being carried by green horses, the sun releases it.1 

1. This verse practically repeats V. 42 in different words. 

44. Thus the sun traverses the quarters by means of his swift chariot with one wheel. The horses are splendid but they do not have the usual pace* (? Akramaih). 

* The text is defective. The corresponding verse in the Va P. 52. 43b reads: bhadrais tair akşhatairashvaih sarpate 'sav divi kshaye/’ with those auspicious unbroken horses he proceeds in the region of the sky. 

45. In the course of a day and night, the sun traverses the earth consisting of the seven continents and oceans by means of his chariot with a single wheel. 

46-48. The chariot is yoked with only seven horses. They are the Vedic Metres that have assumed the form of horses. They are stationed towards the place where the wheel is fitted. They assume the forms as they wish, They are green, imperishable; they ? are accompanied) by tawny-coloured masters expounding the Brahman. In the course of a year those horses traverse eightythree hundred circles. 

It traverses the external as well as the internal circular zones, in the course of days. They have been yoked in the beginning of the Kalpa and they continue to bear till the annihilation of all living beings. 

49. Surrounded by Välakhilyas, they wander both night and day. The sun is eulogised by great sages by means of words (and prayers) of the highest order and composed by themselves. 

50. He is served by Gandharvas and groups of celestial damsels by means of songs and dances. The lord of the day (i.e. the sun) thus revolves and wanders by means of horses that gallop and that are as swift as birds. 

51. The chariot of Soma (the Moon) has three wheels.2 His horses have the lustre of Kunda (white Jasmine) flowers, They are ten in number and they are yoked to the left as well as to the right. The moon traverses by means of this.

2. VV 51-79 describe the mythological description of the chariot of the moon. Its scientific significance is not clear. 

52. They traverse the stars supported by the Vithi (the path of the firmament). They gain velocity by means of the support of Dhruva. The shrinking and lengthening of its rays are remembered as being like those of the sun. 

53. It should be known that the chariot of the moon has three wheels with horses on either side. The chariot is born (i.e. evolved) out of the womb of the waters along with the horses and the charioteer. 

54. It has three wheels with hundred spokes. It is yoked with ten excellent white horses. They are slim and divine. They are unimpeded and they have the swiftness of the mind. 

55-57. They are yoked but once and they continue to bear it till the elapse of the Yugas. In that compact chariot, there are white serpents encircling the chariot (?) Horses of the same colour, having the lustre of conchshells carry him (the Moon). The names of the ten horses of the moon are Yajus, Chandamanas, Vrusha, Vājin, Nara, Haya, the famous horses Gavişhnu, Hamsa, Vyoma and Mruga. 

58. These (horses) carry the Moon-lord with great dedication (and respect). The moon traverses (its orbit) surrounded by the Devas and the pitrus. 

59. At the end of the dark half and at the beginning of the bright half, when the sun is steady in the opposite direction, the moon is filled up, and as days pass by the digits are reinstilled). 

60. When the (nectarine) body of the moon has been imbibed by the Devas, it becomes exhausted on the fifteenth day. Then, with a single ray the sun makes it well developed. 

61. By means of the ray called Suşhumná (the sun) fills a part of the moon) (digit by digit) every day. On being replenished thus by the Suşhumna (ray), the white and bright digits increase. 

62. During the dark half, the digits become reduced and they are developed (replenished) during the bright half. The moon is thus developed, due to the power of the sun. 

63. On the full Moon day, it appears bright in a complete disc. In the bright half, the moon is thus fully replenished day by day. 

64-65. From the second day of the dark half to the fourteenth day, the Devas imbibe the nectar of the moon that is of the nature of the essence of the waters and that is wholly juicy. Drinking this liquid nectar of the moon, the Devas become delighted. It is due to the splendour of the sun that, this nectarine juice has been collected together in the course of half a month. 

66. The nectar of the moon is for their food (consumption). It is resorted to for a single night on the full moon day by all the Devas and Pitřus along with the sages. 

67. On being imbibed gradually by the Pitrus and the Devas at the beginning of the dark half, the digits of the moon which face the sun become reduced gradually. 

68. Thirtythree, three hundred (?) and three and three thousand and three Devas imbibe (the juice of) the moon. 

69. On being sucked thus, the black digits of the moon increase. Hence, the white digits become reduced and the dark ones become increased. 

70-72. Thus, the moon is sucked daily by the Devas. After imbibing it for a period of half a month, the excellent Devas go away on the New Moon day. The Pitrus (thereafter) resort to the Moon on the New Moon day. Then on the fifteenth day when the digits are left over a little, the groups of Pitrus resort to the last remanant (of the digits) in the afternoon. For a period of two Lavas, they imbibe the Kalás (of the moon) that are left over, 

73. The nectar of Svadha oozes from its rays on the New Moon day. After drinking that Svadhà for their own satisfaction to the full) for the period of a month, those (Pitrus) go away. 

74. The moon is scorched by the sun (i.e. sunlight) that is present in the Suşhumna. Similarly, the nectarine moon is. imbibed by the Devas in the dark half. 

75. They are of three (varieties), the Saumyas, the Barhişhads and the Agnişhvāttas. Those who are mentioned as Kávyas are all Pitrus. 

76. The Kavyas are Samvatsaras, those who are remembered by the Brahmanas as Panchabdas (the five years). Saumyas should be known as the Rutus and Barhişhads are remembered as the Māsas (Months). 

77-78. The Agnişváttas are the Artavas, O Brahmaņas, these are the creations of the Pitrus. On being drunk by the Pitrus on the fifteenth day, the digit of the moon that is one fifteenth part becomes reduced on the New moon day. Then in the next fortnight it becomes replenished. 

79. The increase and decrease of the moon are remembered (as occurring) on the sixteenth day at the beginning of a fortnight. It is thus that the increase and decrease in the moon occur on account of the sun. 

80. Again (i.e. henceforth), I shall describe the chariots of the stars, planets and Rahu.1 

1. VV 80-92 describe the chariots of other planets such as Budha, Shukra etc. 

The chariot of the son of the Moon (Budha) is bright and full of the splendour of water. 

81. The chariot of Bhargava (the Venus) is glorious and it resembles the sun in splendour. It has the rambling sound of the cloud. It is equipped with banner, flagstaff and other paraphernalia. 

82-83. It is yoked with various excellent horses of different colours born of the earth. It is fitted with the following ten horses, viz. Shveta, Pishanga, Sáranga, Nila, Pita, Vilohita, Krişhņa, Harita, Prushata and Pruśhni. They are of great grandeur. They are not lean. They have the speed of the wind, 

84-86. The excellent chariot of the Mars also is glorious and golden. It has ecight horses. With unimpeded red horses born of fire and capable of going everywhere, the prince (i.e., the Mars) goes about. They have straight movement as well as those curved clockwise and curved anticlockwise ones, 

The Jupiter (Bruhaspati) of the family of Angiras, the scholarly preceptor of the Devas, moves about in golden chariot by means of eight grey horses born of water. They are divine horses with the speed of the wind. 

Staying for a year in a constellation, he goes ahead along with Vedhas* (Brahma) (?) 

* Sarvagah 'one who can go everywhere and anywhere in Vå.P.52-87. 

87-90a. Riding in a chariot of black steel (iron) fitted with strong horses born of the firmament, the Saturn proceeds ahead very slowly. 

The horses of Rahu are eight in number, and black in colour. They have the speed of the mind. His chariot is full of darkness. The horses are yoked but once and they draw it (to the end). 

Having come out of the sun, Rahu goes to the Moon during Parvan days (the Full moon days). 

90b-9). The horses of the chariot of Ketu are eight in number and they have the speed of the wind. They have the colour of the smoke of straw. They are strong. They are tawny-coloured like donkeys. 

Thus these horses of the planets along with the chariots have been described. 

92. All of them are fastened to Dhruva by means of gaseous rays. They are fully developed. While whirling duly they blaze as well. 

93. (Repetition) They are fully developed due to invisible gaseous rays. Being bound (to Dhruva) by means of these, the moon, the sun and the planets revolve in the firmament, 

94-95. Those groups of luminaries follow Dhruva that whirls. Just as the boat is carried on along with the (current of) water in the river, so also these abodes of gods (? planets etc.) are carried by the gaseous rays. The groups of gods moving about in the firmament are not seen. 

96. There are as many bonds of gaseous rays as there are stars. All of them are fastened to Dhruva. They whirl themselves and they make others also revolve. 

97. Just as the oil-rollers whirl and cause the wheel also to whirl so also do the luminaries fixed (to Dhruva) on all sides by means of gaseous rays. 

98. Urged by the whirlwind, they move about like a firebrand. (Since the wind) carried the luminaries, (the wind is remembered as Pravaha. 

99. Thus the group of planets attached to Dhruva, moves about. This Gangetic porpoise and Dhruva should be known as made up of constellations in the firmament. 

100-107. If a sin is committed in the day, it is dispelled by seeing it (Dhruva) during the night. 

He lives as many or more years as there are stars supported by the Gangetic porpoise in the firmament. 

The heavenly Gangetic porpoise should be known with its parts(?).1 (The various limbs of this porpoise are mentioned subsequently). 

1. VV 100-104 describe the various parts of the heavenly (stellar) porpoise (Siśhumära). 

Auttănapáda (Dhruva the son of Uttānapāda) should be known as its upper jaw. Yajna should be known as the other (i.e. lower jaw). Dharma is based on its head, (i.c. constitutes its head). 

Näräyaņa should be sought for in the heart and the pair of Asvins in the forelegs. Varuna and Aryaman are its hind thighs. 

Its penis is Samvatsara and Mitra clings to the Apāna (anus), Agni, Mahendra, Māricha, Kaśhyapa and Dhruva are in the tail. 

The four stars in the milky way do not set. 

The stars, the moon, the sun and the planets along with the constellations are fixed in the heaven, some with the faces up, others with faces turned away and all of them curved. They are presided over by Dhruva. They go round Dhruva who is the central pivot in the heaven and who is an excellent lord. Dhruva is remembered as the fourth and the last one after Agni, Indra and Käśhyapa. 

108. On the top of the Meru Mountain, single-handed he whirls when he pulls them with face down. He observes Meru at the border and circumambulates it.