Discernment of the Truth of Astronomical Principles

...in any way 50. There is no purpose for this other calculation to be applied to the motion. The observer who is devoted to the calculation of the degrees—those stars are fixed at the horizon even without them 51. One must understand these things clearly: when positioned in the Observational Sphere Dṛg-gola|The visible celestial sphere as seen by an observer on Earth, the other spheres also appear moved because they depend on that specific state 52.

Each of these spaces should be known in relation to the Moon. In order, the different spheres are situated at varying distances 53. The layer that extends from the earth’s surface to the limit of movement is called the Sphere of Fire Vahni-gola|The atmospheric layer associated with heat and terrestrial energy; it does not exist beyond that halfway point 54. Beyond that are the realms of the pure ones: the World of Creation, the World of Penance, and then the World of Truth original: Jana-loka, Tapas-loka, Satya-loka; these are the upper three of the seven planetary/celestial worlds in Vedic cosmology, which is established as eternal 55.

Fixed at the poles, the measures of the planets and signs are moved by a specific power; however, the Sphere of the Stars Bhagola|The celestial sphere containing the fixed stars and zodiac signs also moves by its own power to its own specific place 56. All spheres, because they are infinite, move by their own power from their respective positions. They exist only for the sake of the rotation of the void original: kha; referring to the space or ether, and are not subject to a forced or external rotation 57.

Aryabhata’s statement original: Āryabhaṭo-kti; referring to the 5th-century astronomer Aryabhata I is heard by the learned: that the head of the sky seems to move while the person is standing still, but this is because of the rotation of the Earth; thus, the idea of a Driving Wind Pravaha|A theoretical celestial wind or force traditionally thought to push the stars is redundant 58. Because everything is without a fixed support in the lower regions, everything stays in its own place; this is said to refute those who think things would fall 59. Thus, this "unreal rotation" apparent motion of the stars caused by Earth's rotation has been accepted with effort by some, even though the movement is actually caused by the connection of the fields 60.

Indeed, for the sake of understanding time, these spheres are produced by time itself. The sphere called the Star-Sphere should not be considered the same as the "Driving Wind" 61. From the Driving Wind to the Fire Sphere, there are spheres known as Foreign original: Yavana; this term literally means "Ionian/Greek" and may refer here to atmospheric theories influenced by Greek astronomy, or a specific technical classification which are extremely clear and devoid of impurities 62.

Just as the Earth's atmosphere is universal, men should know that the Driving Wind is also all-pervading. These clear spaces, which are called the Wind Spheres Pavana-gola|The atmospheric layers dominated by air/wind, are fixed in their places 63. These spheres become increasingly rarefied, one after another, and their movements vary. Near the poles, the wind and the sky are said to be much thicker than elsewhere 64. They are all distinct by their nature; the planetary bodies move in their own places according to their own rules, even though they appear to be fixed together in a rotation 65.

The rays of the Sun are not obstructed in any way. Because of the proximity of the Sun, the intensity of the rays is great 66. Thus, from the Earth's horizon to the Star-Sphere, there are seven levels of light; beyond that is the Great Void 67. Therefore, the spheres belong to the sky-makers; in all of them, the Star-Sphere is lost to view once one moves beyond its half-way point 68. As it stands in its own place, endowed with the rays of the Sun, the sky appears blue; this is due to the nature of the light in the upper reaches 69.