The Movements of the Sun

5.21.1

sri-suka uvaca

etavan eva bhu-valayasya sannivesah pramana-laksanato vyakhyatah.

SYNONYMS

sri-sukah uvaca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; etavan—so much; eva—certainly; bhu-valayasya sannivesah—the arrangement of the whole universe; pramana-laksanatah—according to measurement (fifty crores of yojanas, or four billion miles in width and length) and characteristics; vyakhyatah—estimated.

TRANSLATION

Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, I have thus far described the diameter of the universe (fifty crores of yojanas, or four billion miles) and its general characteristics, according to the estimations of learned scholars.

5.21.2

etena hi divo mandala-manam tad-vida upadisanti yatha dvi-dalayor nispavadinam te antarenantariksam tad-ubhaya-sandhitam.

SYNONYMS

etena—by this estimation; hi—indeed; divah—of the upper planeary system; mandala-manam—the measurement of the globe; tat-vidah—the experts who know about it; upadisanti—instruct; yatha—just as; dvi-dalayoh—in the two halves; nispava-adinam—of grain such as wheat; te—of the two divisions; antarena—in the intervening space; antariksam—the sky or outer space; tat—by the two; ubhaya—on both sides; sandhitam—where the two parts join.

TRANSLATION

As a grain of wheat is divided into two parts and one can estimate the size of the upper part by knowing that of the lower, so, expert geographers instruct, one can understand the measurements of the upper part of the universe by knowing those of the lower part.

The sky between the earthly sphere and heavenly sphere is called antariksa, or outer space.

It adjoins the top of the sphere of earth and the bottom of that of heaven.

5.21.3

yan-madhya-gato bhagavams tapatam patis tapana atapena tri-lokim pratapaty avabhasayaty atma-bhasa sa esa udagayana-daksinayana-vaisuvata-samjnabhir mandya-saighrya-samanabhir gatibhir arohanavarohana-samana-sthanesu yatha-savanam abhipadyamano makaradisu rasisv aho-ratrani dirgha-hrasva-samanani vidhatte.

SYNONYMS

yat—of which (the intermediate space); madhya-gatah—being situated in the middle; bhagavan—the most powerful; tapatam patih—the master of those that heat the whole universe; tapanah—the sun; atapena—by heat; tri-lokim—the three worlds; pratapati—heats; avabhasayati—lights; atma-bhasa—by its own illuminating rays; sah—that; esah—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—swiftness; samanabhih—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; abhipadyamanah—moving; makara-adisu—headed by the sign Makara (Capricorn); rasisu—in different signs; ahah-ratrani—the days and nights; dirgha—long; hrasva—short; samanani—equal; vidhatte—makes.

TRANSLATION

In the midst of that region of outer space (antariksa) is the most opulent sun, the king of all the planes 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

Brahma-samhita (5.52):

yac caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam

raja samasta-sura-murtir asesa-tejah

yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrta-kala-cakro

govindam adi-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 eye of the Lord, rotates within the fixed orbit of eternal time.

The sun is the king of all planeary systems and has unlimited potency in heat and light Although the sun is described as bhagavan, the most powerful, and although it is actually the most powerful planet within the universe, it nevertheless has to carry out the order of Govinda, Krsna.

The sun-god cannot deviate even an inch from the orbit designated to him.

Therefore in every sphere of life, the supreme order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is carried out.

The entire material nature carries out His orders.

However, we foolishly see the activities of material nature without understanding the supreme order and Supreme Person behind them.

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, mayadhyaksena prakrtih: (Bg.9.10) material nature carries out the orders of the Lord, and thus everything is maintained in an orderly way.

5.21.4

yada mesa-tulayor vartate tadaho-ratrani samanani bhavanti yada vrsabhadisu pancasu ca rasisu carati tadahany eva vardhante hrasati ca masi masy ekaika ghatika ratrisu.

SYNONYMS

yada—when; mesa-tulayoh—in Mesa (Aries) and Tula (Libra); vartate—the sun exists; tada—at that time; ahah-ratrani—the days and nights; samanani—equal in duration; bhavanti—are; yada—when; vrsabha-adisu—headed by Vrsabha (Taurus) and Mithuna (Gemini); pancasu—in the five; ca—also; rasisu—signs; carati—moves; tada—at that time; ahani—the days; eva—certainly; vardhante—increase; hrasati—is diminished; ca—and; masi masi—in every month; eka-eka—one; ghatika—half hour; ratrisu—in the nights.

TRANSLATION

When the sun passes through Mesa (Aries) and Tula (Libra), the durations of day and night are equal.

When it passes through the five signs headed by Vrsabha (Taurus), the duration of the days increases (until Cancer), and then it gradually decreases by half an hour each month, until day and night again become equal (in Libra).

5.21.5

yada vrscikadisu pancasu vartate tadaho-ratrani viparyayani bhavanti.

SYNONYMS

yada—when; vrscika-adisu—headed by Vrscika (Scorpio); pancasu—five; vartate—remains; tada—at that time; ahah-ratrani—the days and nights; viparyayani—the opposite (the duration of the day decreases, and that of night increases); bhavanti—are.

TRANSLATION

When the sun passes through the five signs beginning with Vrscika (Scorpio), the duration of the days decreases (until Capricorn), and then gradually it increases month after month, until day and night become equal (in Aries).

5.21.6

yavad daksinayanam ahani vardhante yavad udagayanam ratrayah.

SYNONYMS

yavat—until; daksina-ayanam—the sun passes to the southern side; ahani—the days; vardhante—increase; yavat—until; udagayanam—the sun passes to the northern side; ratrayah—the nights.

TRANSLATION

Until the sun travels to the south the days grow longer, and until it travels to the north the nights grow longer.

5.21.7

evam nava kotaya eka-pancasal-laksani yojananam manasottara-giri-parivartanasyopadisanti tasminn aindrim purim purvasman meror devadhanim nama daksinato yamyam samyamanim nama pascad varunim nimlocanim nama uttaratah saumyam vibhavarim nama tasudaya-madhyahnastamaya-nisithaniti bhutanam pravrtti-nivrtti-nimittani samaya-visesena meros catur-disam.

SYNONYMS

evam—thus; nava—nine; kotayah—ten millions; eka-pancasat—fifty-one; laksani—hundred thousands; yojananam—of the yojanas; manasottara-giri—of the mountain known as Manasottara; parivartanasya—of the circumambulation; upadisanti—they (learned scholars) teach; tasmin—on that (Manasottara Mountain); aindrim—of King Indra; purim—the city; purvasmat—on the eastern side; meroh—of Sumeru Mountain; devadhanim—Devadhani; nama—of the name; daksinatah—on the southern side; yamyam—of Yamaraja; samyamanim—Samyamani; nama—named; pascat—on the western side; varunim—of Varuna; nimlocanim—Nimlocani; nama—named; uttaratah—on the northern side; saumyam—of the moon; vibhavarim—Vibhavari; nama—named; tasu—in all of them; udaya—rising; madhyahna—midday; astamaya—sunset; nisithani—midnight; iti—thus; bhutanam—of the living entities; pravrtti—of activity; nivrtti—and cessation of activity; nimittani—the causes; samaya-visesena—by the particular times; meroh—of Sumeru Mountain; catuh-disam—the four sides.

TRANSLATION

Sukadeva Gosvami continued; My dear King, as stated before, the learned say that the sun travels over all sides of Manasottara Mountain in a circle whose length is 95,100,000 yojanas (760,800,000 miles).

On Manasottara Mountain, due east of Mount Sumeru, is a place known as Devadhani, possessed by King Indra.

Similarly, in the south is a place known as Samyamani, possessed by Yamaraja, in the west is a place known as Nimlocani, possessed by Varuna, and in the north is a place named Vibhavari, possessed by the moon-god.

Sunrise, midday, sunset and midnight occur in all those places according to specific times, thus engaging all living entities in their various occupational duties and also making them cease such duties.

5.21.8-9

tatratyanam divasa-madhyangata eva sadadityas tapati savyenacalam daksinena karoti; yatrodeti tasya ha samana-sutra-nipate nimlocati yatra kvacana syandenabhitapati tasya haisa samana-sutra-nipate prasvapayati tatra gatam na pasyanti ye tam samanupasyeran.

SYNONYMS

tatratyanam—for the living entities residing on Mount Meru; divasa-madhyangatah—being positioned as at midday; eva—indeed; sada—always; adityah—the sun; tapati—heats; savyena—to the left side; acalam—Sumeru Mountain; daksinena—to the right (being forced by wind blowing to the right, the sun moves to the right); karoti—moves; yatra—the point where; udeti—it rises; tasya—of that position; ha—certainly; samana-sutra-nipate—at the diametrically opposite point; nimlocati—the sun sets; yatra—where; kvacana—somewhere; syandena—with perspiration; abhitapati—heats (at midday); tasya—of that; ha—certainly; esah—this (the sun); samana-sutra-nipate—at the diametrically opposite point; prasvapayati—the sun causes to sleep (as at midnight); tatra—there; gatam—gone; na pasyanti—do not see; ye—who; tam—the sunset; samanupasyeran—seeing.

TRANSLATION

The living entities residing on Sumeru Mountain are always very warm, as at midday, because for them the sun is always overhead.

Although the sun moves counterclockwise, facing the constellations, with Sumeru Mountain on its left, it also moves clockwise and appears to have the mountain on its right because it is influenced by the daksinavarta wind.

People living in countries at points diametrically opposite to where the sun is first seen rising will see the sun setting, and if a straight line were drawn from a point where the sun is at midday, the people in countries at the opposite end of the line would be experiencing midnight.

Similarly, if people residing where the sun is setting were to go to countries diametrically opposite, they would not see the sun in the same condition.

5.21.10

yada caindryah puryah pracalate pancadasa-ghatikabhir yamyam sapada-koti-dvayam yojananam sardha-dvadasa-laksani sadhikani copayati.

SYNONYMS

crores (22,500,000); yojananam—of yojanas; sardha—and one half; dvadasa-laksani—twelve hundred thousand; sadhikani—twenty-five thousand more; ca—and; upayati—he passes over.

TRANSLATION

When the sun travels from Devadhani, the residence of Indra, to Samyamani, the residence of Yamaraja, it travels 23,775,000 yojanas (190,200,000 miles) in fifteen ghatikas (six hours).

PURPORT

The distance indicated by the word sadhikani is panca-vimsati-sahasradhikani, or 25,000 yojanas.

That plus two and a half crores and twelve and a half laksa of yojanas is the distance the sun travels between each two cities.

This comes to 23,775,000 yojanas, or 190,200,000 miles.

The total orbit of the sun is four times that distance, or 95,100,000 yojanas (760,800,000 miles).

5.21.11

evam tato varunim saumyam aindrim ca punas tathanye ca grahah somadayo naksatraih saha jyotis-cakre samabhyudyanti saha va nimlo-canti.

SYNONYMS

evam—in this way; tatah—from there; varunim—to the quarters where Varuna lives; saumyam—to the quarters where the moon lives; aindrim ca—and to the quarters where Indra lives; punah—again; tatha—so also; anye—the others; ca—also; grahah—planes; soma-adayah—headed by the moon; naksatraih—all the stars; saha—with; jyotih-cakre—in the celestial sphere; samabhyudyanti—rise; saha—along with; va—or; nimlocanti—set.

TRANSLATION

From the residence of Yamaraja the sun travels to Nimlocani, the residence of Varuna, from there to Vibhavari, the residence of the moon-god, and from there again to the residence of Indra.

In a similar way, the moon, along with the other stars and planes, becomes visible in the celestial sphere and then sets and again becomes invisible.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gita (10.21) Krsna says, naksatranam aham sasi: Of stars I am the moon This indicates that the moon is similar to the other stars.

The Vedic literature informs us that within this universe there is one sun, which is moving.

The Western theory that all the luminaries in the sky are different suns is not confirmed in the Vedic literature.

Nor can we assume that these luminaries are the suns of other universes, for each universe is covered by various layers of material elements, and therefore although the universes are clustered together, we cannot see from one universe to another.

In other words, whatever we see is within this one universe.

In each universe there is one Lord Brahma, and there are other demigods on other planes, but there is only one sun.

5.21.12

evam muhurtena catus-trimsal-laksa-yojanany asta-satadhikani sauro rathas trayimayo ’sau catasrsu parivartate purisu.

SYNONYMS

evam—thus; muhurtena—in a muhurta (forty-eight minutes); catuh-trimsat—thirty-four; laksa—hundred thousands; yojanani—yojanas; asta-satadhikani—increased by eight hundred; saurah rathah—the chariot of the sun-god; trayi-mayah—which is worshiped by the Gayatri mantra (om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur, etc.); asau—that; catasrsu—to the four; parivartate—he moves; purisu—through different residential quarters.

TRANSLATION

Thus the chariot of the sun-god, which is trayimaya, or worshiped by the words om bhur bhuvah svah, travels through the four residences mentioned above at a speed of 3,400,800 yojanas (27,206,400 miles) in a muhurta.

5.21.13

yasyaikam cakram dvadasaram san-nemi tri-nabhi samvatsaratmakam samamananti tasyakso meror murdhani krto manasottare krtetara-bhago yatra protam ravi-ratha-cakram taila-yantra-cakravad bhraman manasottara-girau paribhramati.

SYNONYMS

yasya—of which; ekam—one; cakram—wheel; dvadasa—twelve; aram—spokes; sat—six; nemi—the segments of the rim; tri-nabhi—the three pieces of the hub; samvatsara-atmakam—whose nature is a samvatsara; samamananti—they fully describe; tasya—the chariot of the sun-god; aksah—the axle; meroh—of Sumeru Mountain; murdhani—on the top; krtah—fixed; manasottare—on the mountain known as Manasottara; krta—fixed; itara-bhagah—the other end; yatra—where; protam—fixed on; ravi-ratha-cakram—the wheel of the chariot of the sun-god; taila-yantra-cakra-vat—like the wheel of an oil-pressing machine; bhramat—moving; manasottara-girau—on Manasottara Mountain; paribhramati—turns.

TRANSLATION

The chariot of the sun-god has only one wheel, which is known as Samvatsara.

The twelve months are calculated to be its twelve spokes, the six seasons are the sections of its rim, and the three catur-masya periods are its three-sectioned hub.

One side of the axle carrying the wheel rests upon the summit of Mount Sumeru, and the other rests upon Manasottara Mountain.

Affixed to the outer end of the axle, the wheel continuously rotates on Manasottara Mountain like the wheel of an oil-pressing machine.

5.21.14

tasminn akse krtamulo dvitiyo ’ksas turyamanena sammitas taila-yantraksavad dhruve krtopari-bhagah.

SYNONYMS

tasmin akse—in that axle; krta-mulah—whose base is fixed; dvitiyah—a second; aksah—axle; turyamanena—by one fourth; sammitah—measured; taila-yantra-aksa-vat—like the axle of an oil-pressing machine; dhruve—to Dhruvaloka; krta—fixed; upari-bhagah—upper portion.

TRANSLATION

As in an oil-pressing machine, this first axle is attached to a second axle, which is one-fourth as long (3,937,500 yojanas, or 31,500,000 miles).

The upper end of this second axle is attached to Dhruvaloka by a rope of wind.

5.21.15

ratha-nidas tu sat-trimsal-laksa-yojanayatas tat-turiya-bhaga-visalas tavan ravi-ratha-yugo yatra hayas chando-namanah saptaruna-yojita vahanti devam adityam.

SYNONYMS

ratha-nidah—the interior of the chariot; tu—but; sat-trimsat-laksa-yojana-ayatah—3,600,000 yojanas long; tat-turiya-bhaga—one quarter of that measure (900,000 yojanas); visalah—having a width; tavan—so much also; ravi-ratha-yugah—the yoke for the horses; yatra—where; hayah—horses; chandah-namanah—having the different names of Vedic meters; sapta—seven; aruna-yojitah—hooked up by Arunadeva; vahanti—carry; devam—the demigod; adityam—the sun-god.

TRANSLATION

My dear King, the carriage of the sun-god’s chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas (28,800,000 miles) long and one-fourth as wide (900,000 yojanas, or 7,200,000 miles).

The chariot’s horses, which are named after Gayatri and other Vedic meters, are harnessed by Arunadeva to a yoke that is also 900,000 yojanas wide.

This chariot continuously carries the sun-god.

PURPORT

In the Visnu Purana it is stated:

gayatri ca brhaty usnig

jagati tristup eva ca

anustup panktir ity uktas

chandamsi harayo raveh

The seven horses yoked to the sun-god’s chariot are named Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti.

These names of various Vedic meters designate the seven horses that carry the sun-god’s chariot.

5.21.16

purastat savitur arunah pascac ca niyuktah sautye karmani kilaste.

SYNONYMS

purastat—in front; savituh—of the sun-god; arunah—the demigod named Aruna; pascat—looking backward; ca—and; niyuktah—engaged; sautye—of a charioteer; karmani—in the work; kila—certainly; aste—remains.

TRANSLATION

Although Arunadeva 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 Vayu Purana the position of the horses is described:

saptasva-rupa-cchandamsi

vahante vamato ravim

cakra-paksa-nibaddhani

cakre vaksah samahitah

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

5.21.17

tatha valikhilya rsayo ’ngustha-parva-matrah sasti-sahasrani puratah suryam sukta-vakaya niyuktah samstuvanti.

SYNONYMS

tatha—there; valikhilyah—Valikhilyas; rsayah—great sages; angustha-parva-matrah—whose size is that of a thumb; sasti-sahasrani—sixty thousand; puratah—in front; suryam—the sun-god; su-ukta-vakaya—for speaking eloquently; niyuktah—engaged; samstuvanti—offer prayers.

TRANSLATION

There are sixty thousand saintly persons named Valikhilyas, each the size of a thumb, who are located in front of the sun-god and who offer him eloquent prayers of glorification.

5.21.18

tathanye ca rsayo gandharvapsaraso naga gramanyo yatudhana deva ity ekaikaso ganah sapta caturdasa masi masi bhagavantam suryam atmanam nana-namanam prthan-nana-namanah prthak-karmabhir dvandvasa upasate.

SYNONYMS

tatha—similarly; anye—others; ca—also; rsayah—saintly persons; gandharva-apsarasah—Gandharvas and Apsaras; nagah—Naga snakes; gramanyah—Yaksas; yatudhanah—Raksasas; devah—demigods; iti—thus; eka-ekasah—one by one; ganah—groups; sapta—seven; caturdasa—fourteen in number; masi masi—in every month; bhagavantam—unto the most powerful demigod; suryam—the sun-god; atmanam—the life of the universe; nana—various; namanam—who possesses names; prthak—separate; nana-namanah—having various names; prthak—separate; karmabhih—by ritualistic ceremonies; dvandvasah—in groups of two; upasate—worship.

TRANSLATION

Similarly, fourteen other saints, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Yaksas, Raksasas and demigods, who are divided into groups of two, assume different names every month and continuously perform different ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as the most powerful demigod Suryadeva, who holds many names.

PURPORT

In the Visnu Purana it is said:

stuvanti munayah suryam

gandharvair giyate purah

nrtyanto ’psaraso yanti

suryasyanu nisacarah

vahanti pannaga yaksaih

kriyate ’bhisusangrahah

valikhilyas tathaivainam

parivarya samasate

so ’yam sapta-ganah surya-

mandale muni-sattama

himosna vari-vrstinam

hetutve samayam gatah

Worshiping the most powerful demigod Surya, the Gandharvas sing in front of him, the Apsaras dance before the chariot, the Nisacaras follow the chariot, the Pannagas decorate the chariot, the Yaksas guard the chariot, and the saints called the Valikhilyas surround the sun-god and offer prayers.

The seven groups of fourteen associates arrange the proper times for regular snow, heat and rain throughout the universe.

5.21.19

laksottaram sardha-nava-koti-yojana-parimandalam bhu-valayasya ksanena sagavyuty-uttaram dvi-sahasra-yojanani sa bhunkte.

SYNONYMS

laksa-uttaram—increased by 100,000; sardha—with 5,000,000; nava-koti-yojana—of 90,000,000 yojanas; parimandalam—circumference; bhu-valayasya—of the earthly sphere; ksanena—in one moment; sagavyuti-uttaram—augmented by two krosas (four miles); dvi-sahasra-yojanani—2,000 yojanas; sah—the sun-god; bhunkte—traverses.

TRANSLATION

My dear King, in his orbit through Bhu-mandala, the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000 yojanas (760,800,000 miles) at the speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krosas (16,004 miles) in a moment.