57 - Movements of the Planets

Chapters 56-57 describe the movement of the planets --Soma, Budha, Mangala, Bruhaspati, Shukra, Shani and Rāhu 

Sūta said: - 

1-5. The chariot of the son of the Moon (i.e., Budha Mercury) is fitted with eight horses, tawny-coloured and very splendid. It has the characteristics of water and fire. 

The chariot of Shukra (Venus) the preceptor of Daityas is fitted with ten stout horses of different colours. It is earthen in nature. 

The chariot of Bhauma (Mars) is golden, splendid and fitted with eight horses. 

The horse of Jiva (Jupiter) is also golden and fitted with eight horses. 

The chariot of Manda³⁴⁵ (Saturn) is made of iron. It is fitted with ten black horses and is watery in nature. 

345. aläta-chakra-vat: The imagery of the wheel implies a fixed centre (medhibhūtam dhruvam divi, ch. 57.9) to which the whole system of moving stars is secured by certain pulls, spoken of as winds. (vāta-rashmibhiḥ, ibid, V. 5; Matsya 125.7; vātānikamayair bandhaih.) 

The chariots of Rāhu and Ketu are fitted with eight horses each. All these planets are bound to Dhruva (Pole Star) by reins which are of the form of wind. Made to whirl by the Pole star they move ahead. 

6. There are as many rays as there are stars. All of them are bound to the Pole star. While revolving (round it) they make it revolve also. 

7. The stars and the luminaries, urged by the circular gusts of wind, move like fire brands. Since the wind bears the luminaries, it is called Pravaha. 

8. Along with the planets and constellations, the sun and stars occupy the firmament in a circle looking upwards and sideways. 

9. Presided over (i.e., controlled) by Dhruva they circumambulate Dhruva. They move on in the firmament to see Lord Dhruva that acts like the pivot. 

10. The diameter of the sun is nine thousand Yojanas. Its circular area is three times this. 

11. The extent of the moon is twice that of the Sun. Rahu assumes a size equal to them and moves ahead beneath them. 

12. The abode of Rāhu is full of darkness and is the third (one in size) because it is evolved out of the circular shadow of the earth. 

13. The diameter, the circumference and the distance in yojanas of Bhārgava (Venus) is a sixteenth part of that of the moon. 

14-18. Bruhaspati (Jupiter) is of three-fourths of the size of Venus. Mars and Saturn are three-fourths of the size of Bruhaspati. Budha (Mercury) is three-fourths of their size in extent and circumference. The stars and constellations, that have a body are equal to Budha in extent and circumference. The knower of truth must note that the stars that are in conjunction with the moon are ordinarily known as Rakşhas. The spheres of the comparatively smaller stars extend to five, four, three or two yojanas. Overall, these there are still clusters of smaller stars which extend only to two hundred yojanas. There is none smaller than this. 

19-20. Over and above these starry spheres are the three planets viz., Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, which travel at a great distance from them. They should be known as slow-moving ones. 

There are four other great planets beneath then, viz. the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus. They traverse quickly. 

21. Altogether there are as many crores of stars as there are constellations. They too are stationed in the orbit of constellations due to the restraining force of Dhruva. 

22-26. The sun that has seven horses has an upper and a lower position by turns. When the sun is in his northern transit and when the moon on the full moon nights, appears quickly because its position is above, but the rays are not very clear, the moon (?) then is in the southern orbit that is lower. The sun covered by the line of the earth on Full moon and New Moon days is seen at the usual time, but it sets quickly. Hence on the New-Moon Day the moon is in the northern orbit. It is invariably not seen in the southern path on account of the movement of the planets and because it is enveloped by the shadow of the sun. On the equinotical days the sun and the moon rise and set simultaneously.³⁴⁶ 

346. Cf. Vişhnu, cited in ST.

27-28. In the northern orbits they rise and set without any difference in time on new moon and full moon days. They should then be known as following the groups of luminaries. When the sun is in the southern transit, it moves ahead beneath all other planets. 

29. Keeping his sphere wider the moon revolves above it (the sun). All the groups of constellations move above the moon. 

30. Mercury is above all constellations; Venus is above Mercury. Mars is above Venus and Jupiter is above Mars. 

31. Saturn is above it. Above Saturn is the sphere of seven sages (Great Bear) and Dhruva (Pole Star) is stationed above the seven sages. 

32-39. By knowing the region of Vishņu, beyond all these, one is liberated from sin. Two hundred thousand Yojanas above constellations, stars, the planets- Sun and Moon which are united with divine refulgence, move ahead day and night in due order. They come into contact with the constellations everyday. Hence they are sometimes stationed below, sometimes above and sometimes in a straight line. They glance at the subjects (below) simultaneously when in conjunction or when separated. 

There are six seasons but of five distinct features. They overlap one another and their combination should be understood by learned men without overlapping. O brahmins, thus the movement of planets has been succinctly mentioned in the case of the sun and other planets as I have heard and observed. The thousand-rayed lord Sun was crowned as the overlord of planets by the lotus-born Brahmā, like Guha who was crowned by Rudra. 

Hence, for the realization of purpose and (to ward off evils) at the time of harassment of the planets and the sun, the worship of the planets should be pursued by good men, Offerings should be made to fire in accordance with the injunctions of the Shăstras.