Discernment of the Truth of Astronomical Principles

The Revolution of the Stars Bhagaṇa|A full 360-degree rotation of a celestial body is indeed to be understood? in two ways: it is fixed, yet it is also moving 31. The sphere, which is the seat of the zodiac and the stars, moves around the Pole of the Ecliptic Kadamba|The point 24 degrees from the celestial pole around which the zodiac rotates; it is bound by the Celestial Wind Pravaha-vāyu|The driving force of the heavens and controlled by the center of the poles 32. It rotates here due to the power of the Sun’s own motion... as was previously stated regarding the ancient celestial sphere 33.

The clear Equatorial Circle Viṣuvat-vṛtta|The celestial equator is said to begin with Aries and the other signs; because of the movement of the star-sphere, its own shifting is also recognized 34. Thus, by the masses of the stars, the measure of the movement proceeds in order. Thus, in the celestial sphere, the circle is divided by the Ecliptic Pole and other markers 35. This movement of the star-sphere is known as the "motion of the equinoxes" original: ayana-calana; referring to the precession of the equinoxes, though some are confused by the nature of this rotation 36. From the positions of the poles, the stars are born from their own nature; at the time when there is no shifting of the signs, they follow the path of the pole 37.

Now, that sphere has moved, because it is known to move by itself; it is seen here to rotate from the previous sign 38. Then it is seen rotating from the subsequent sign. For the sake of establishing what is fixed, the Pole Star Dhruva-tārā|The North Star, Polaris is perceived by the mind 39. With that, there is a dispute regarding the shifting; it is indeed a cause of confusion. If everything is fixed in the position of the pole, why would there be motion of the celestial sky by the rotation of the Ecliptic Pole? 40.

That truth is found at the peak of Mount Meru Meru|The sacred mountain at the center of the world, serving as the Earth's axis, which is immovable at the center of the earth. On that mountain, the golden power of the gods is always within the sight of the eyes 41. Having imagined the poles below, they speak of them as being not-fixed. Thus, the celestial sphere has been described, which rests upon the support of the stars 42.

I shall now speak clearly of the Seven Planetary Spheres Graha-gola|The nested shells or orbits of the planets. They are produced by their own nodes, their slow-motion points, and their fast-motion points 43. The spheres known as the "highest point" original: ucca; apogee and "lowest point" original: nīca; perigee are suitable for the calculation of the "true" positions of the planets. All of these together constitute the great Sphere of the Planets 44. How could the planets be arranged one above the other? These spheres in the sky are great supports called "winds" 45.

Now, they are to be known in their proper order, starting from Saturn Śani|The slowest and outermost planet in ancient astronomy and staying within their limits. From the weightless mirror of the sky was produced Mars The text here omits Jupiter, jumping from Saturn's sphere toward Mars, and from that the Sun 46. From that Venus, then Mercury, and from that the Moon—this is clear. In the intervals between each pair of these, the Celestial Musicians and Spirits original: Siddha-Vidyādhara 47 have their dwellings; these spheres of the sky stand always as their own supports. In all the connected spheres, the uppermost moves by its own motion around the pole 48. The one below moves the sky; the one in the middle moves in the atmosphere. Because of the motion of the sphere situated below, a contrary motion is perceived 49. Of the one moved by its own power...