The Lamp on the Path of Astronomy.

original: "Jyotishamargadipika"

Chapter 1.

The Celestial Sphere and the Planetary Orbs.

In the beginningless and endless celestial sphere, among the numerous orbs that exist, the Earth where we reside is but one single orb. All these orbs are bound by a force of attraction to the solar orb, and they all perpetually revolve around the Sun. Among the seven planets Saptagrahas; the seven traditional celestial bodies used in ancient astronomy, the planet situated at the greatest distance is Saturn. Jupiter, which is the largest among the planetary orbs, is situated below Saturn. Situated below Jupiter is Mars. After Mars comes the Sun The text here describes a specific vertical ordering of the heavens common in traditional Indian cosmographies. The Earth is situated 93,000,000 Nazhika; a traditional unit of measurement, though here likely used to represent miles in a modern context below the Sun. The Moon is a satellite that continuously revolves around the terrestrial orb. The Moon is 210,000 miles distant from the Earth. The planets situated below the Earth are Venus, followed by Mercury. All planets have their own distinct paths of travel. Through those paths of travel, they all circumambulate the Sun. The paths of motion for each planet are called their respective orbital spheres Kakshyamandalam; the orbital circle or plane of a planet. The natural houses or domains of the planets are marked in the Zodiac Rashichakra; the wheel of signs as follows: