Discernment of the Truth of Astronomical Principles

Tattva-Viveka 9

On Atmospheric Omens and Planetary Orbits

In the natural world, a sound is often heard upon the Earth arising from flames or the emission of vapors original: vashpa; refers to steam or geothermal gases. This is said to occur in the practical realm of our ground. Through the emission of these vapors, even if a certain location is desired, earthquakes may occur among the mountains and elsewhere; this is the definitive conclusion.

Due to the influence of the Sun's hot rays, these various vapors become unevenly distributed. Because of these vapors, many people may face death; this is famously known in the world by the name "The Great Plague" original: mahamari; refers to an epidemic or pestilence believed to be caused by atmospheric corruption. Furthermore, when one observes the rising of the Sun through such vapors, it is seen as an ill omen. This results in rains occurring out of season, or eclipses and other celestial events appearing at the wrong time or in the wrong place.

During such times, one should perform deeds to alleviate hunger and distress through the power of righteousness (dharma), and the Lord shall destroy the famine. This has been stated here in brief; it is explained in great detail throughout the scientific scriptures (shastras).

The Dimensions of the Planetary Spheres

Now, the secrets of the orbits of all the planets are heard, revolving constantly within the "Tree of Time." The spheres of the Universal Egg original: Brahmanda Gola; the "Egg of Brahma," or the manifest universe are arranged by the seven celestial bodies. Their proportions are given in yojanas a traditional Indian unit of distance, approximately 8 to 9 miles. Based on the number of revolutions (bhaganas) completed by the planets in a Kalpa an immense aeon of time in Hindu cosmology, the circumferences of their respective orbits are determined. By dividing these by the number of civil days (kudinas), the daily motion of the planets in yojanas is likewise found.

Within the center of the sky, where the spheres are located, the mean distance of the Sun's orbit is established. Listen now to the measurements of these orbits as derived from the Sun-Sciences (Arka-Shastra), which define the path of the planets moving in the middle of the circle:

Above all these, the sphere of the universe rotates, driven by the Pravaha wind the celestial wind believed to drive the rotation of the star-sphere. It stands at the very top of the structure...