Discernment of the Truth of Astronomical Principles

On the Revolutions of the Stars and the Cycles of Time

How do the differences in the stellar revolutions Ya-bhaganaoriginal: yabhagana; the total number of sidereal rotations of the stars in a vast cosmic cycle and the Great Ages Yugathe four vast epochs—Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali—that make up a cycle of time align with the variations in the celestial cycles? 74. According to the Moon's own stellar revolutions, its course follows its own path; because of these differences, and by the power of the Divine Will, the planets are perceived in their various positions as seen from Earth. 75. What was spoken of by Muradaya?, in that context...

N. Vi. 3 ...it is contradicted by the Sun, and for the sake of establishing the truth, those who argue otherwise are inconsistent with logic. 77. Because of the duality of time itself, the passage of time in the Brahma Kalpaoriginal: brahmakalpa; a "Day of Brahma," a period of 4.32 billion years is like that of the Sun; thus, the beginning of the Kalpa is calculated from now. 78. If there were no contradiction in the calculation of the Kalpa, then the arrangement of the planetary motions would be logically sound. 80.

The Motion of the Celestial Sphere

The rotation of the celestial sphere is caused by the force of the Provector Wind Pravahanilaoriginal: pravahānila; in ancient Indian astronomy, this is the celestial wind believed to drive the entire star-filled sky from east to west; though the planets appear to be carried by this speed, they always move in their own paths toward the East. 81.

3 Because of the immense distance of the sky, the true motion of the Sun is not perceived by all people; therefore, the rising and setting of the stars and planets are seen together here. 82.

3 According to the ancient order of the zodiac signs Grihaoriginal: gṛha; literally "houses," referring here to the twelve signs of the zodiac, the planets constantly complete their enjoyment of the successive signs and constellations, even if they appear to be moving otherwise due to their specific velocities. 83.

The Correlation of Time and Location

When it is midnight at Yamakotia mythical city located 90 degrees east of the prime meridian, it is sunrise at Lankathe reference point for the zero-meridian in ancient Indian astronomy, located on the equator. Similarly, at the beginning of the bright fortnight, the day of the Sun (Sunday) marks the beginning of the week, and the positions of the planets and their nodes Pataoriginal: pāta; the nodes where a planet's orbit intersects the ecliptic are stated for that moment. 84. The sequence of the days of the week follows the Sun; even so, because of the limitations of human memory and the shortness of life, if the four Yugas appear to begin simultaneously at the start of the Creator's day... 85.

Since the beginning of the creation of this universe is known from the first moment of the Srishtioriginal: sṛṣṭi; the act of cosmic creation, the counting of time is commanded to be done from that point. 86. The nature of time consists of various divisions; therefore, the measurement of the days of the subsequent creation is established here. 87. From the start of creation, the state of the people on earth and the social conduct of the Tishyaoriginal: tiṣya; another name for the Kali Yuga, the current fourth age and other ages are determined. 88.

This truth regarding the planets is as it was stated by the mouth of the Divine Sages Devarshioriginal: devarṣi; celestial sages like Narada who transmit divine knowledge to humanity; thus, at the end of the time of creation, the Sun's day (Sunday) was the first day. 89. This entire system of the world's laws was perfectly understood by the wise through their fundamental principles. 90.

And thus it is said in the text The Light of the Sun Suryodyotaoriginal: sūryodyota; a reference to a specific astronomical treatise, likely the Surya Siddhanta or a related commentary: At the time of the emergence of the ocean, on the north-south meridian line, at the end of the month of PhalgunaFebruary/March, at the beginning of the Kalpa, on the day of the Sun, the planets were at the junction of the signs Pisces Meena and Aries Mesha. This is the beginning of all things: the time of creation.