FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

5.23 · The Śiśumāra Planetary System

9 verses · 🖨 Class prep
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Book Bhagavata Canto 5 · R.E.A.P
P Planetary Systems SB 5.20–5.26 · 12 sub-topics Open on bhagavata.keshavaswami.com ↗
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P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Sukadeva Goswami offered further details of the universe – the seven oceans and seven islands they surround, Lord Brahma’s lotus flower, the sun’s movements, the planetary orbits, the Sisumara planetary systems and Lord Anantadeva. He concluded by giving a vivid description of the hellish planets which facilitate a variety of torturous experiences to reengineer the consciousness of the wayward souls.

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P - Planetary Systems (20-26)

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Sukadeva Goswami offered further details of the universe – the seven oceans and seven islands they surround, Lord Brahma’s lotus flower, the sun’s movements, the planetary orbits, the Sisumara planetary systems and Lord Anantadeva. He concluded by giving a vivid description of the hellish planets which facilitate a variety of torturous experiences to reengineer the consciousness of the wayward souls.

Previous Path of Bhakti – BEYOND the World Next Six Islands Last updated 1 year ago

Hellish Planets

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Hellish Planets Chapter 26 To rectify the sinful mentality of deviant living entities, Krishna subjects them to punishment and suffering in one of the twenty-eight hellish planets situated below Patala. For every destructive activity, there is a particular reaction that one is subjected to. While the graphic descriptions may seem harsh, such experiences are sometimes required to jolt a change in consciousness. On the other hand, those who adhere to religious life are elevated to higher planetary systems where the demigods reside. In due course, once their pious credits have been exhausted, they return to this earthly realm. Sukadeva Goswami finally described the Universal Form of the Lord and glorified the Lord’s activities.

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Lord Anantadeva

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Lord Anantadeva Chapter 25 Lord Ananta, whose body is completely spiritual, resides at the root of the planet Patala. He remains in the core of Lord Siva’s heart, helping him to destroy the universes as required. He is the original deity of material consciousness, and because He attracts all living entities, He is also known as Sankarsana. The entire material world rests upon His hoods. Because Lord Sankarsana is an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, many devotees offer Him prayers, and in the planetary system of Patala, all the suras , asuras , Gandharvas, Vidyadharas and learned sages offer Him their respectful obeisances.

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Movements of the Sun

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Movements of the Sun Chapter 21 The sun is not stationary, but rather rotates on the sun-god’s chariot which is drawn by seven horses. Its movements determine the duration of night and day. When moving northwards above the equator, the sun moves slowly during the day and quickly at night, thus creating a longer daytime and shorter nighttime. The opposite is true when the sun travels south of the equator. 60,000 sages, the Valikhilyas, worship the sun-god with beautiful prayers.

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Orbits of the Planets and Sisumara

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Orbits of the Planets and Sisumara Chapter 22, 23 The various configurations of the moon and other planets have positive and negative influences on living beings. This is what we commonly call the ‘influence of the stars.’ The sun rotates through the time circle of the zodiac, represented by twelve astrological signs, and assumes different names according to the sign it is in. Dhruvaloka, awarded to the exalted Dhruva Maharaja, continues to exist even when the universe is partially destroyed. It is recognised as the polestar and Lord Vishnu’s abode within this universe. Situated above the seven stars, it acts as a central pivot around which all the planetary systems revolve, impelled by eternal time. In Dhruvaloka are the planets of Agni, Indra, Prajapati, Kasyapa and Dharma, all of whom are very respectful to the great devotee Dhruva. Those who worship the Universal Form of the Lord ( virat-purusa ) conceive of this entire rotating system of planets as a dolphin-like animal known as sisumara . To concentrate their minds, yogis worship the Sisumara planetary system, which is technically known as the kundalini-cakra .

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Six Islands

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Six Islands Chapter 20 Having described Jambudvipa, Sukadeva Goswami next described the other six islands that make up Bhu-mandala. The first five of these islands have seven varsas , while the final island (Puskaradvipa) has two varsas . Jambudvipa, described previously, has nine varsas . The original rulers of these dvipas were the sons of Priyavrata, and the islands were named after them. At the periphery of Bhu-mandala are the famous Lokaloka mountain ranges. Sukadeva Goswami thus described the entire structure of Bhu-Mandala.

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Subterranean Heavens

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Subterranean Heavens Chapter 24 Rahu, which is situated below the sun and moon, often conceals them and causes total or partial eclipses to occur. Below Rahu are the planets of the Siddhas, Charanas and Vidyadharas, and below these are planets such as Yaksaloka and Raksaloka. Below these planets is the earth, and below the earth are the lower planetary systems - Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. These are known as bila-svarga , or subterranean heavens (there are also earthly heavens, bhauma-svarga , and celestial heavens, divya-svarga ). Demons and Raksasas live in these lower planetary systems with their associates, always engaged in sense gratification and oblivious to the suffering awaiting them in their future births.

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Universal Map

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Universal Map “One should understand the nature of karma, vikarma and akarma , and one must act accordingly. This is the law of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The conditioned souls, who have come to this material world for sense gratification, are allowed to enjoy their senses under certain regulative principles. If they violate these regulations, they are judged and punished by Yamaraja. He brings them to the hellish planets and properly chastises them to bring them back to Krishna consciousness. By the influence of maya , however, the conditioned souls remain infatuated with the mode of ignorance. Thus, in spite of repeated punishment by Yamaraja, they do not come to their senses, but continue to live within the material condition, committing sinful activities again and again.” (SB 5.26.6) Many people wonder whether heaven and hell are mythological concepts fabricated by religious storytellers. Fear and reward, after all, are powerful tools to coax people into a certain way of living. Such ideas, for example, may encourage people to lead moral lives in the hope of attaining heaven after death. Interestingly, however, we can perceive heaven and hell even on this planet we live in. In front of our eyes, we see that such disparity indeed exists - from abject poverty to extreme luxury. Why shouldn’t a similar disparity exist within the universe? Srimad-Bhagavatam is aimed at ushering us into the spiritual world which is beautifully described in Canto Ten. To attain that supreme destination, we must know the nature and mechanics of the world we are currently residing in. The material world consists of upper, middle and lower sections, totalling fourteen levels of planetary systems with different standards of life and durations of existence. Yoga systems elevate one up the material universes, and ultimately beyond, while neglect of such spiritual guidance will cause the living entity to degrade to lower statuses of life. Srila Prabhupada compared the material world to a prison where the criminals occupy various grades of cells. Depending on the severity of the crime, the criminal is put into a certain cell – the most unpleasant cells are reserved for the harshest crimes. Similarly, this universe acts like a prisonhouse where the rebellious souls are sent for consciousness purification. Depending on our past activities, we are put into a certain living condition where we enjoy or suffer the results of our acts. For extremely pious acts, we are sent to heaven to enjoy godly delights. For sinful acts, we glide into hellish situations to painful rectification.

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Higher Planets

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Universal Map Higher Planets The happiness and pleasures experienced by the denizens of heaven are immensely superior to those found on earth. The chief of the administrative demigods, Indra, is the king of heaven. Indraloka, the planet where Indra resides, has gardens where one can associate with beautiful, angelic personalities and enjoy a profuse supply of soma-rasa , a celestial intoxicant. There are magnificent palaces, beautiful landscapes and endless gardens with aromatic flowers. In contrast to the heavenly planets, the sense enjoyment on earth is insignificant and is experienced on an extremely gross level. The term deathless, amara , is often used to describe the residents of the heavenly planets because their span of life is inconceivably long. Although they live for millions of years by our calculation, none within the material worlds can live there eternally.

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Lower Planets (Hells)

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Universal Map Lower Planets (Hells) Beneath the planet Patalaloka, and slightly above the water of the Garbhodaka Ocean, are the Narakalokas, or the hellish planetary systems. The 28 planets offer different degrees of suffering for those who must endure life there. Here on earth we can see many hellish circumstances of suffering for people, but nothing like what is experienced on these planets. They are said to be a place of rectification for those who commit the most abominable actions while living as humans on the earthly plane. Although life here seems like it goes on for an eternity, in actuality the duration of one’s ‘karmic sentence’ here may be only seconds or moments.

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Lower Planets (Subterranean Heavens)

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Universal Map Lower Planets (Subterranean Heavens) Below the earth are seven other systems called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, and Patala. These lower planets are populated by persons of great power and opulence, yet of demoniac consciousness. They have reached here through austerity aimed at material enjoyment without spiritual development. The residents enjoy a standard of material comfort more opulent than even the higher planets due to their desires for high standards of sensual enjoyment, wealth and influence. The residents are known as Daityas, Danavas and Nagas and are all engaged in illusory material enjoyment with no thought of spiritual liberation. Since time is not divided into days and nights due to no sunshine reaching these planets, they have no fear produced by time. Only at the time of dissolution does anxiety and fear consume them.

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Middle Planets

P - Planetary Systems (20-26) Universal Map Middle Planets Within the earthly sphere there is a combination of the happiness found in the heavens and the suffering of hell. As mentioned previously, birth in the earthly realm is considered most conducive for this reason – neither is there excessive happiness which may cause one to become complacent and comfortable, nor is there extreme suffering that can overshadow any deeper searching. Bhu- mandala is shaped like a lotus flower and the seven planetary systems are in the whorl of the lotus. As the sunshine reaches earth from 93,000,000 miles, this is the radius of the plane of Bhu-mandala. “The residents of both heaven and hell desire human birth on the earth planet because human life facilitates the achievement of transcendental knowledge and love of Godhead, whereas neither heavenly nor hellish bodies efficiently provide such opportunities.” (SB 11.20.12)

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— S.B. Keshava Swami, Book Bhagavata

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.1

↗
श्रीशुक उवाच अथ तस्मात्परतस्त्रयोदशलक्षयोजनान्तरतो यत्तद्विष्णो: परमं पदमभिवदन्ति यत्र ह महाभागवतो ध्रुव औत्तानपादिरग्निनेन्द्रेण प्रजापतिना कश्यपेन धर्मेण च समकालयुग्भि: सबहुमानं दक्षिणत: क्रियमाण इदानीमपि कल्पजीविनामाजीव्य उपास्ते तस्येहानुभाव उपवर्णित: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca
[shree-shuka uvaacha]
atha tasmāt paratas trayodaśa-lakṣa-yojanāntarato yat tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam abhivadanti yatra ha mahā-bhāgavato dhruva auttānapādir agninendreṇa prajāpatinā kaśyapena dharmeṇa ca samakāla-yugbhiḥ sabahu-mānaṁ dakṣiṇataḥ kriyamāṇa idānīm api kalpa-jīvinām ājīvya upāste tasyehānubhāva upavarṇitaḥ.
[atha tasmaat paratas trayodasha-laksha-yojanaantarato yat tad vishnoh paramam padam abhivadanti yatra ha mahaa-bhaagavato dhruva auttaanapaadir agninendrena prajaapatinaa kashyapena dharmena cha samakaala-yugbhih sabahu-maanam dakshinatah kriyamaana idaaneem api kalpa-jeevinaam aajeevya upaaste tasyehaanubhaava upavarnitah.]
Word-for-word
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said atha — thereupon tasmāt — the sphere of the seven stars parataḥ — beyond that trayodaśa-lakṣa-yojana-antarataḥ — another 1,300,000 yojanas yat — which tat — that viṣṇoḥ paramam padam — the supreme abode of Lord Viṣṇu, or the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu abhivadanti — the Ṛg Veda mantras praise yatra — on which ha — indeed mahā-bhāgavataḥ — the great devotee dhruvaḥ — Mahārāja Dhruva auttānapādiḥ — the son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda agninā — by the fire-god indreṇa — by the heavenly King, Indra prajāpatinā — by the Prajāpati kaśyapena — by Kaśyapa dharmeṇa — by Dharmarāja ca — also samakāla-yugbhiḥ — who are engaged at the time sa-bahu-mānam — always respectfully dakṣiṇataḥ — on the right side kriyamāṇaḥ — being circumambulated idānīm — now api — even kalpa-jīvinām — of the living entities who exist at the end of the creation ājīvyaḥ — the source of life upāste — remains tasya — his iha — here anubhāvaḥ — greatness in discharging devotional service upavarṇitaḥ — already described (in the Fourth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-śuka uvāca
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
atha tasmāt paratas trayodaśa-lakṣa-yojanāntarato yat tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam abhivadanti yatra ha mahā-bhāgavato dhruva auttānapādir agninendreṇa prajāpatinā kaśyapena dharmeṇa ca samakāla-yugbhiḥ sabahu-mānaṁ dakṣiṇataḥ kriyamāṇa idānīm api kalpa-jīvinām ājīvya upāste tasyehānubhāva upavarṇitaḥ.
atha
thereupon
tasmāt
the sphere of the seven stars
parataḥ
beyond that
trayodaśa-lakṣa-yojana-antarataḥ
another 1,300,000 yojanas
yat
which
tat
that
viṣṇoḥ paramam padam
the supreme abode of Lord Viṣṇu, or the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu
abhivadanti
the Ṛg Veda mantras praise
yatra
on which
ha
indeed
mahā-bhāgavataḥ
the great devotee
dhruvaḥ
Mahārāja Dhruva
auttānapādiḥ
the son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda
agninā
by the fire-god
indreṇa
by the heavenly King, Indra
prajāpatinā
by the Prajāpati
kaśyapena
by Kaśyapa
dharmeṇa
by Dharmarāja
ca
also
samakāla-yugbhiḥ
who are engaged at the time
sa-bahu-mānam
always respectfully
dakṣiṇataḥ
on the right side
kriyamāṇaḥ
being circumambulated
idānīm
now
api
even
kalpa-jīvinām
of the living entities who exist at the end of the creation
ājīvyaḥ
the source of life
upāste
remains
tasya
his
iha
here
anubhāvaḥ
greatness in discharging devotional service
upavarṇitaḥ
already described (in the Fourth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, 1,300,000 yojanas [10,400,000 miles] above the planets of the seven sages is the place that learned scholars describe as the abode of Lord Viṣṇu. There the son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, the great devotee Mahārāja Dhruva, still resides as the life source of all the living entities who live until the end of the creation. Agni, Indra, Prajāpati, Kaśyapa and Dharma all assemble there to offer him honor and respectful obeisances. They circumambulate him with their right sides toward him. I have already described the glorious activities of Mahārāja Dhruva [in the Fourth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam].
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: 1,300,000 yojanas above the planets of the seven sages is the place that learned scholars describe as the abode of Lord Viṣṇu. There, the son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, the great devotee Mahārāja Dhruva, remains until the end of the kalpa, around whom Agni, Indra, Prajāpati, Kaśyapa and Dharma rotate with respect. I have already described the glorious activities of Mahārāja Dhruva. In the Twenty-third chapter, Dhruvaloka and the zodiac belt in the form of a dolphin are described. Dhruvaloka is 3,900,000 yojanas above the earth. Samakāla-yugbhiḥ means “together at the same time in the form of the constellations.”
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Dhruva, the boy who once asked for a kingdom and got God instead, now sits at the pole of the universe receiving honor from the greatest demigods. Sincere devotion offered young bears fruit beyond imagining. Don't dismiss the spiritual longings of the small or early.
Reflection Questions
  • What early or 'childish' spiritual longing have I dismissed in myself that might actually be the seed of something great?
  • Whose small devotional steps am I underestimating because they look immature?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.2

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स हि सर्वेषां ज्योतिर्गणानां ग्रहनक्षत्रादीनामनिमिषेणाव्यक्तरंहसा भगवता कालेन भ्राम्यमाणानां स्थाणुरिवावष्टम्भ ईश्वरेण विहित: शश्वदवभासते ॥ २ ॥
sa hi sarveṣāṁ jyotir-gaṇānāṁ graha-nakṣatrādīnām animiṣeṇāvyakta-raṁhasā bhagavatā kālena bhrāmyamāṇānāṁ sthāṇur ivāvaṣṭambha īśvareṇa vihitaḥ śaśvad avabhāsate.
[sa hi sarveshaam jyotir-ganaanaam graha-nakshatraadeenaam animishenaavyakta-ramhasaa bhagavataa kaalena bhraamyamaanaanaam sthaanur ivaavashtambha eeshvarena vihitah shashvad avabhaasate.]
Word-for-word
saḥ — that planet of Dhruva Mahārāja hi — indeed sarveṣām — of all jyotiḥ-gaṇānām — the luminaries graha-nakṣatra-ādīnām — such as the planets and stars animiṣeṇa — who does not rest avyakta — inconceivable raṁhasā — whose force bhagavatā — the most powerful kālena — by the time factor bhrāmyamāṇānām — being caused to revolve sthāṇuḥ iva — like a post avaṣṭambhaḥ — the pivot īśvareṇa — by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead vihitaḥ — established śaśvat — constantly avabhāsate — shines.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sa hi sarveṣāṁ jyotir-gaṇānāṁ graha-nakṣatrādīnām animiṣeṇāvyakta-raṁhasā bhagavatā kālena bhrāmyamāṇānāṁ sthāṇur ivāvaṣṭambha īśvareṇa vihitaḥ śaśvad avabhāsate.
saḥ
that planet of Dhruva Mahārāja
hi
indeed
sarveṣām
of all
jyotiḥ-gaṇānām
the luminaries
graha-nakṣatra-ādīnām
such as the planets and stars
animiṣeṇa
who does not rest
avyakta
inconceivable
raṁhasā
whose force
bhagavatā
the most powerful
kālena
by the time factor
bhrāmyamāṇānām
being caused to revolve
sthāṇuḥ iva
like a post
avaṣṭambhaḥ
the pivot
īśvareṇa
by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
vihitaḥ
established
śaśvat
constantly
avabhāsate
shines.
Established by the supreme will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the polestar, which is the planet of Mahārāja Dhruva, constantly shines as the central pivot for all the stars and planets. The unsleeping, invisible, most powerful time factor causes these luminaries to revolve around the polestar without cessation.
Purport

It is distinctly stated herein that all the luminaries, the planets and stars, revolve by the influence of the supreme time factor. The time factor is another feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone is under the influence of the time factor, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so kind and loves His devotee Mahārāja Dhruva so much that He has placed all the luminaries under the control of Dhruva’s planet and has arranged for the time factor to work under him or with his cooperation. Everything is actually done according to the will and direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but to make His devotee Dhruva the most important individual within the universe, the Lord has placed the activities of the time factor under his control.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
This star, established by the Lord, which is the pivot of all the luminaries, planets and constellations, which are made to rotate constantly around it by the inconceivable force of the Lord’s time energy, shines constantly. Sthānuḥ means a pillar. It here indicates also “stationary” since it remains without being moved by the wheel of time, the rotation of the zodiac. Rather, it is the pivot for the rotating zodiac. All others are dependent upon the rotation of the zodiac, but Dhruvaloka controls the zodiac rotation. “How did it get this ability?” It has been allotted this power by the Lord, who can cause to do, not do or do differently, in order to show the excellence of his devotee.
Personal Guidance
The Lord placed all luminaries under Dhruva's planet, arranging even time to serve the cooperation of His devotee. The Lord is so generous with His devotees that He lets even cosmic order honor them. Devotion attracts honor we never sought.
Reflection Questions
  • Where in my life has unexpected honor flowed to me that I should attribute to the Lord rather than to my own effort?
  • How does it change my sense of self to know the Lord can arrange large things to honor small devotion?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.3

↗
यथा मेढीस्तम्भ आक्रमणपशव: संयोजितास्त्रिभिस्त्रिभि: सवनैर्यथास्थानं मण्डलानि चरन्त्येवं भगणा ग्रहादय एतस्मिन्नन्तर्बहिर्योगेन कालचक्र आयोजिता ध्रुवमेवावलम्ब्य वायुनोदीर्यमाणा आकल्पान्तं परिचङ्‍क्रमन्ति नभसि यथा मेघा: श्येनादयो वायुवशा: कर्मसारथय: परिवर्तन्ते एवं ज्योतिर्गणा: प्रकृतिपुरुषसंयोगानुगृहीता: कर्मनिर्मितगतयो भुवि न पतन्ति ॥ ३ ॥
yathā meḍhīstambha ākramaṇa-paśavaḥ saṁyojitās tribhis tribhiḥ savanair yathā-sthānaṁ maṇḍalāni caranty evaṁ bhagaṇā grahādaya etasminn antar-bahir-yogena kāla-cakra āyojitā dhruvam evāvalambya vāyunodīryamāṇā ākalpāntaṁ paricaṅ kramanti nabhasi yathā meghāḥ śyenādayo vāyu-vaśāḥ karma-sārathayaḥ parivartante evaṁ jyotirgaṇāḥ prakṛti-puruṣa-saṁyogānugṛhītāḥ karma-nirmita-gatayo bhuvi na patanti.
[yathaa medheestambha aakramana-pashavah samyojitaas tribhis tribhih savanair yathaa-sthaanam mandalaani charanty evam bhaganaa grahaadaya etasminn antar-bahir-yogena kaala-chakra aayojitaa dhruvam evaavalambya vaayunodeeryamaanaa aakalpaantam parichan kramanti nabhasi yathaa meghaah shyenaadayo vaayu-vashaah karma-saarathayah parivartante evam jyotirganaah prakriti-purusha-samyogaanugriheetaah karma-nirmita-gatayo bhuvi na patanti.]
Word-for-word
yathā — exactly like meḍhīstambhe — to the pivot post ākramaṇa-paśavaḥ — bulls for threshing rice saṁyojitāḥ — being yoked tribhiḥ tribhiḥ — by three savanaiḥ — movements yathā-sthānam — in their proper places maṇḍalāni — orbits caranti — traverse evam — in the same way bha-gaṇāḥ — the luminaries, like the sun, the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter graha-ādayaḥ — the different planets etasmin — in this antaḥ-bahiḥ-yogena — by connection with the inner or outer circles kāla-cakre — in the wheel of eternal time āyojitāḥ — fixed dhruvam — Dhruvaloka eva — certainly avalambya — taking support of vāyunā — by the wind udīryamāṇāḥ — being propelled ā-kalpa-antam — until the end of the creation paricaṅ kramanti — revolve all around nabhasi — in the sky yathā — exactly like meghāḥ — heavy clouds śyena-ādayaḥ — birds such as the big eagle vāyu-vaśāḥ — controlled by the air karma-sārathayaḥ — whose chariot drivers are the results of their own past activities parivartante — move around evam — in this way jyotiḥ-gaṇāḥ — the luminaries, the planets and stars in the sky prakṛti — of material nature puruṣa — and of the Supreme Personality, Kṛṣṇa saṁyoga-anugṛhītāḥ — supported by the combined efforts karma-nirmita — caused by their own past fruitive activities gatayaḥ — whose movements bhuvi — on the ground na — not patanti — fall down.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yathā meḍhīstambha ākramaṇa-paśavaḥ saṁyojitās tribhis tribhiḥ savanair yathā-sthānaṁ maṇḍalāni caranty evaṁ bhagaṇā grahādaya etasminn antar-bahir-yogena kāla-cakra āyojitā dhruvam evāvalambya vāyunodīryamāṇā ākalpāntaṁ paricaṅ kramanti nabhasi yathā meghāḥ śyenādayo vāyu-vaśāḥ karma-sārathayaḥ parivartante evaṁ jyotirgaṇāḥ prakṛti-puruṣa-saṁyogānugṛhītāḥ karma-nirmita-gatayo bhuvi na patanti.
yathā
exactly like
meḍhīstambhe
to the pivot post
ākramaṇa-paśavaḥ
bulls for threshing rice
saṁyojitāḥ
being yoked
tribhiḥ tribhiḥ
by three
savanaiḥ
movements
yathā-sthānam
in their proper places
maṇḍalāni
orbits
caranti
traverse
evam
in the same way
bha-gaṇāḥ
the luminaries, like the sun, the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter
graha-ādayaḥ
the different planets
etasmin
in this
antaḥ-bahiḥ-yogena
by connection with the inner or outer circles
kāla-cakre
in the wheel of eternal time
āyojitāḥ
fixed
dhruvam
Dhruvaloka
eva
certainly
avalambya
taking support of
vāyunā
by the wind
udīryamāṇāḥ
being propelled
ā-kalpa-antam
until the end of the creation
paricaṅ kramanti
revolve all around
nabhasi
in the sky
yathā
exactly like
meghāḥ
heavy clouds
śyena-ādayaḥ
birds such as the big eagle
vāyu-vaśāḥ
controlled by the air
karma-sārathayaḥ
whose chariot drivers are the results of their own past activities
parivartante
move around
evam
in this way
jyotiḥ-gaṇāḥ
the luminaries, the planets and stars in the sky
prakṛti
of material nature
puruṣa
and of the Supreme Personality, Kṛṣṇa
saṁyoga-anugṛhītāḥ
supported by the combined efforts
karma-nirmita
caused by their own past fruitive activities
gatayaḥ
whose movements
bhuvi
on the ground
na
not
patanti
fall down.
When bulls are yoked together and tied to a central post to thresh rice, they tread around that pivot without deviating from their proper positions — one bull being closest to the post, another in the middle, and a third on the outside. Similarly, all the planets and all the hundreds and thousands of stars revolve around the polestar, the planet of Mahārāja Dhruva, in their respective orbits, some higher and some lower. Fastened by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the machine of material nature according to the results of their fruitive acts, they are driven around the polestar by the wind and will continue to be so until the end of creation. These planets float in the air within the vast sky, just as clouds with hundreds of tons of water float in the air or as the great śyena eagles, due to the results of past activities, fly high in the sky and have no chance of falling to the ground.
Purport

According to the description of this verse, the hundreds and thousands of stars and the great planets such as the sun, the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter are not clustered together because of the law of gravity or any similar idea of the modern scientists. These planets and stars are all servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda or Kṛṣṇa, and according to His order they sit in their chariots and travel in their respective orbits. The orbits in which they move are compared to machines given by material nature to the operating deities of the stars and planets, who carry out the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by revolving around Dhruvaloka, which is occupied by the great devotee Mahārāja Dhruva. This is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.52) as follows:

yac-cakṣur eṣa savitā sakala-grahāṇāṁ rājā samasta-sura-mūrtir aśeṣa-tejāḥ yasyājñayā bhramati sambhṛta-kāla-cakro govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, under whose control even the sun, which is considered to be the eye of the Lord, rotates within the fixed orbit of eternal time. The sun is the king of all planetary systems and has unlimited potency in heat and light.” This verse from Brahma-saṁhitā confirms that even the largest and most powerful planet, the sun, rotates within a fixed orbit, or kāla-cakra, in obedience to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This has nothing to do with gravity or any other imaginary laws created by the material scientists.

Material scientists want to avoid the ruling government of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore they imagine different conditions under which they suppose the planets move. The only condition, however, is the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All the various predominating deities of the planets are persons, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also a person. The Supreme Personality orders the subordinate persons, the demigods of various names, to carry out His supreme will. This fact is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) , wherein Kṛṣṇa says:

mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate

“This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, and it is producing all moving and unmoving beings. By its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.”

The orbits of the planets resemble the bodies in which all living entities are seated because they are both machines controlled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.61) :

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” The machine given by material nature — whether the machine of the body or the machine of the orbit, or kāla-cakra — works according to the orders given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead and material nature work together to maintain this great universe, and not only this universe but also the millions of other universes beyond this one.

The question of how the planets and stars are floating is also answered in this verse. It is not because of the laws of gravity. Rather, the planets and stars are enabled to float by manipulations of the air. It is due to such manipulations that big, heavy clouds float and big eagles fly in the sky. Modern airplanes like the 747 jet aircraft work in a similar way: by controlling the air, they float high in the sky, resisting the tendency to fall to earth. Such adjustments of the air are all made possible by the cooperation of the principles of puruṣa (male) and prakṛti (female). By the cooperation of material nature, which is considered to be prakṛti, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is considered the puruṣa, all the affairs of the universe are going on nicely in their proper order. Prakṛti, material nature, is also described in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.44) as follows:

sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā icchānurūpam api yasya ca ceṣṭate sā govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

“The external potency, māyā, who is of the nature of the shadow of the cit [spiritual] potency, is worshiped by all people as Durgā, the creating, preserving and destroying agency of this mundane world. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, in accordance with whose will Durgā conducts herself.” Material nature, the external energy of the Supreme Lord, is also known as Durgā, or the female energy that protects the great fort of this universe. The word Durgā also means fort. This universe is just like a great fort in which all the conditioned souls are kept, and they cannot leave it unless they are liberated by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord Himself declares in Bhagavad-gītā (4.9) :

janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” Thus simply by Kṛṣṇa consciousness, by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can be liberated, or, in other words, one can be released from the great fort of this universe and go outside it to the spiritual world.

It is also significant that the predominating deities of even the greatest planets have been offered their exalted posts because of the very valuable pious activities they performed in previous births. This is indicated herein by the words karma-nirmita-gatayaḥ. For example, as we have previously discussed, the moon is called jīva, which means that he is a living entity like us, but because of his pious activities he has been appointed to his post as the moon-god. Similarly, all the demigods are living entities who have been appointed to their various posts as the masters of the moon, the earth, Venus and so on because of their great service and pious acts. Only the predominating deity of the sun, Sūrya Nārāyaṇa, is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mahārāja Dhruva, the predominating deity of Dhruvaloka, is also a living entity. Thus there are two kinds of entities — the supreme entity, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the ordinary living entity, the jīva ( nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām ( Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13)). All the demigods are engaged in the service of the Lord, and only by such an arrangement are the affairs of the universe going on.

Regarding the great eagles mentioned in this verse, it is understood that there are eagles so big that they can prey on big elephants. They fly so high that they can travel from one planet to another. They start flying in one planet and land in another, and while in flight they lay eggs that hatch into other birds while falling through the air. In Sanskrit such eagles are called śyena. Under the present circumstances, of course, we cannot see such huge birds, but at least we know of eagles that can capture monkeys and then throw them down to kill and eat them. Similarly, it is understood that there are gigantic birds that can carry off elephants, kill them and eat them.

The two examples of the eagle and the cloud are sufficient to prove that flying and floating can be made possible through adjustments of the air. The planets, in a similar way, are floating because material nature adjusts the air according to the orders of the Supreme Lord. It could be said that these adjustments constitute the law of gravity, but in any case, one must accept that these laws are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The so-called scientists have no control over them. The scientists can falsely, improperly declare that there is no God, but this is not a fact.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Just as bulls yoked together and tied to a central post to thresh rice tread around that pivot without deviating from their proper positions—one bull being closest to the post, another in the middle, and a third on the outside--so all the planets and luminaries, fixed in the zodiac, revolve around the polestar in their respective orbits, some higher and some lower, till the end of the kalpa, propelled by wind. Just as clouds or eagles, controlled by the wind, pushed by karma, move about in the sky, so the planets, supported by matter and the Lord, and moving by their past karmas, do not fall to the ground Bulls for threshing grains, tied to a pillar fixed in the center by a farmer, move about without leaving their assigned places, one being far from the post, one in the middle and close to the post. In terms of the planets tri-savanaiḥ refers to the summer solstice, equinox and winter solstice. The planets are fixed at lower and higher (antar-bahir-yogena) positions in the zodiac belt. Thus Saturn and other planets are fixed by the Lord below the seven sages, and the moon and other planets are fixed above the sun. They are moved by the wind. “Why do they not fall from the sky?” Just as clouds float in the sky, the planets also float in the sky. Karma-sārathayaḥ means “assisted by karma.”
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Like bulls yoked to a central post, all the stars revolve around the Lord's devotee. The image is striking — the universe walks in circles around Dhruva. The lesson: the right center makes meaningful circumambulation possible. What is your center?
Reflection Questions
  • What am I currently walking in circles around — and is it worth being the post in my life?
  • If I changed the post, what walk in circles would suddenly make sense?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.4

↗
केचनैतज्ज्योतिरनीकं शिशुमारसंस्थानेन भगवतो वासुदेवस्य योगधारणायामनुवर्णयन्ति ॥ ४ ॥
kecanaitaj jyotir-anīkaṁ śiśumāra-saṁsthānena bhagavato vāsudevasya yoga-dhāraṇāyām anuvarṇayanti.
[kechanaitaj jyotir-aneekam shishumaara-samsthaanena bhagavato vaasudevasya yoga-dhaaranaayaam anuvarnayanti.]
Word-for-word
kecana — some yogīs or learned scholars of astronomy etat — this jyotiḥ-anīkam — great wheel of planets and stars śiśumāra-saṁsthānena — imagine this wheel to be a śiśumāra (dolphin) bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead vāsudevasya — Lord Vāsudeva (the son of Vasudeva), Kṛṣṇa yoga-dhāraṇāyām — in absorption in worship anuvarṇayanti — describe.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
kecanaitaj jyotir-anīkaṁ śiśumāra-saṁsthānena bhagavato vāsudevasya yoga-dhāraṇāyām anuvarṇayanti.
kecana
some yogīs or learned scholars of astronomy
etat
this
jyotiḥ-anīkam
great wheel of planets and stars
śiśumāra-saṁsthānena
imagine this wheel to be a śiśumāra (dolphin)
bhagavataḥ
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
vāsudevasya
Lord Vāsudeva (the son of Vasudeva), Kṛṣṇa
yoga-dhāraṇāyām
in absorption in worship
anuvarṇayanti
describe.
This great machine, consisting of the stars and planets, resembles the form of a śiśumāra [dolphin] in the water. It is sometimes considered an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva. Great yogīs meditate upon Vāsudeva in this form because it is actually visible.
Purport

Transcendentalists such as yogīs whose minds cannot accommodate the form of the Lord prefer to visualize something very great, such as the virāṭ-puruṣa. Therefore some yogīs contemplate this imaginary śiśumāra to be swimming in the sky the way a dolphin swims in water. They meditate upon it as the virāṭ-rūpa, the gigantic form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Some describe this zodiac belt to be the form of a dolphin, used for worshipping Vāsudeva in meditation. Jyotir-anīkam means the zodiac belt.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The entire stellar machinery can be meditated upon as a giant dolphin-shaped form of the Lord, visible in the sky. The Lord provides visible forms for those who cannot yet meditate on Him directly. Don't dismiss aids; use them.
Reflection Questions
  • Am I rejecting visible spiritual aids (images, the night sky, sacred art) in pursuit of a purer abstraction I cannot actually hold?
  • What concrete form could I begin to use to ground my meditation today?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.5

↗
यस्य पुच्छाग्रेऽवाक्‌शिरस: कुण्डलीभूतदेहस्य ध्रुव उपकल्पितस्तस्य लाङ्गूले प्रजापतिरग्निरिन्द्रो धर्म इति पुच्छमूले धाता विधाता च कट्यां सप्तर्षय: तस्य दक्षिणावर्तकुण्डलीभूतशरीरस्य यान्युदगयनानि दक्षिणपार्श्वे तु नक्षत्राण्युपकल्पयन्ति दक्षिणायनानि तु सव्ये यथा शिशुमारस्य कुण्डलाभोगसन्निवेशस्य पार्श्वयोरुभयोरप्यवयवा: समसंख्या भवन्ति पृष्ठे त्वजवीथी आकाशगङ्गा चोदरत: ॥ ५ ॥
yasya pucchāgre ’vākśirasaḥ kuṇḍalī-bhūta-dehasya dhruva upakalpitas tasya lāṅgūle prajāpatir agnir indro dharma iti puccha-mūle dhātā vidhātā ca kaṭyāṁ saptarṣayaḥ; tasya dakṣiṇāvarta-kuṇḍalī-bhūta-śarīrasya yāny udagayanāni dakṣiṇa-pārśve tu nakṣatrāṇy upakalpayanti dakṣiṇāyanāni tu savye; yathā śiśumārasya kuṇḍalā-bhoga-sanniveśasya pārśvayor ubhayor apy avayavāḥ samasaṅkhyā bhavanti; pṛṣṭhe tv ajavīthī ākāśa-gaṅgā codarataḥ.
[yasya puchchaagre ’vaakshirasah kundalee-bhoota-dehasya dhruva upakalpitas tasya laangoole prajaapatir agnir indro dharma iti puchcha-moole dhaataa vidhaataa cha katyaam saptarshayah; tasya dakshinaavarta-kundalee-bhoota-shareerasya yaany udagayanaani dakshina-paarshve tu nakshatraany upakalpayanti dakshinaayanaani tu savye; yathaa shishumaarasya kundalaa-bhoga-sanniveshasya paarshvayor ubhayor apy avayavaah samasankhyaa bhavanti; prishthe tv ajaveethee aakaasha-gangaa chodaratah.]
Word-for-word
yasya — of which puccha-agre — at the end of the tail avākśirasaḥ — whose head is downward kuṇḍalī-bhūta-dehasya — whose body, which is coiled dhruvaḥ — Mahārāja Dhruva on his planet, the polestar upakalpitaḥ — is situated tasya — of that lāṅgūle — on the tail prajāpatiḥ — of the name Prajāpati agniḥ — Agni indraḥ — Indra dharmaḥ — Dharma iti — thus puccha-mūle — at the base of the tail dhātā vidhātā — the demigods known as Dhātā and Vidhātā ca — also kaṭyām — on the hip sapta-ṛṣayaḥ — the seven saintly sages tasya — of that dakṣiṇa-āvarta-kuṇḍalī-bhūta-śarīrasya — whose body is like a coil turning toward the right side yāni — which udagayanāni — marking the northern courses dakṣiṇa-pārśve — on the right side tu — but nakṣatrāṇi — constellations upakalpayanti — are situated dakṣiṇa-āyanāni — the fourteen stars, from Puṣyā to Uttarāṣāḍhā, marking the northern course tu — but savye — on the left side yathā — just like śiśumārasya — of the dolphin kuṇḍalā-bhoga-sanniveśasya — whose body appears like a coil pārśvayoḥ — on the sides ubhayoḥ — both api — certainly avayavāḥ — the limbs samasaṅkhyāḥ — of equal number (fourteen) bhavanti — are pṛṣṭhe — on the back tu — of course ajavīthī — the first three stars marking the southern route (Mūlā, Pūrvaṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā) ākāśa-gaṅgā — the Ganges in the sky (the Milky Way) ca — also udarataḥ — on the abdomen.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yasya pucchāgre ’vākśirasaḥ kuṇḍalī-bhūta-dehasya dhruva upakalpitas tasya lāṅgūle prajāpatir agnir indro dharma iti puccha-mūle dhātā vidhātā ca kaṭyāṁ saptarṣayaḥ; tasya dakṣiṇāvarta-kuṇḍalī-bhūta-śarīrasya yāny udagayanāni dakṣiṇa-pārśve tu nakṣatrāṇy upakalpayanti dakṣiṇāyanāni tu savye; yathā śiśumārasya kuṇḍalā-bhoga-sanniveśasya pārśvayor ubhayor apy avayavāḥ samasaṅkhyā bhavanti; pṛṣṭhe tv ajavīthī ākāśa-gaṅgā codarataḥ.
yasya
of which
puccha-agre
at the end of the tail
avākśirasaḥ
whose head is downward
kuṇḍalī-bhūta-dehasya
whose body, which is coiled
dhruvaḥ
Mahārāja Dhruva on his planet, the polestar
upakalpitaḥ
is situated
tasya
of that
lāṅgūle
on the tail
prajāpatiḥ
of the name Prajāpati
agniḥ
Agni
indraḥ
Indra
dharmaḥ
Dharma
iti
thus
puccha-mūle
at the base of the tail
dhātā vidhātā
the demigods known as Dhātā and Vidhātā
ca
also
kaṭyām
on the hip
sapta-ṛṣayaḥ
the seven saintly sages
tasya
of that
dakṣiṇa-āvarta-kuṇḍalī-bhūta-śarīrasya
whose body is like a coil turning toward the right side
yāni
which
udagayanāni
marking the northern courses
dakṣiṇa-pārśve
on the right side
tu
but
nakṣatrāṇi
constellations
upakalpayanti
are situated
dakṣiṇa-āyanāni
the fourteen stars, from Puṣyā to Uttarāṣāḍhā, marking the northern course
tu
but
savye
on the left side
yathā
just like
śiśumārasya
of the dolphin
kuṇḍalā-bhoga-sanniveśasya
whose body appears like a coil
pārśvayoḥ
on the sides
ubhayoḥ
both
api
certainly
avayavāḥ
the limbs
samasaṅkhyāḥ
of equal number (fourteen)
bhavanti
are
pṛṣṭhe
on the back
tu
of course
ajavīthī
the first three stars marking the southern route (Mūlā, Pūrvaṣāḍhā and Uttarāṣāḍhā)
ākāśa-gaṅgā
the Ganges in the sky (the Milky Way)
ca
also
udarataḥ
on the abdomen.
This form of the śiśumāra has its head downward and its body coiled. On the end of its tail is the planet of Dhruva, on the body of its tail are the planets of the demigods Prajāpati, Agni, Indra and Dharma, and at the base of its tail are the planets of the demigods Dhātā and Vidhātā. Where the hips might be on the śiśumāra are the seven saintly sages like Vasiṣṭha and Aṅgirā. The coiled body of the Śiśumāra-cakra turns toward its right side, on which the fourteen constellations from Abhijit to Punarvasu are located. On its left side are the fourteen stars from Puṣyā to Uttarāṣāḍhā. Thus its body is balanced because its sides are occupied by an equal number of stars. On the back of the śiśumāra is the group of stars known as Ajavīthī, and on its abdomen is the Ganges that flows in the sky [the Milky Way].
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
This form of the dolphin has its head downward and its body coiled. On the end of its tail is the planet of Dhruva, on the body of its tail are the planets of the devatās Prajāpati, Agni, Indra and Dharma, and at the base of its tail are the planets of the devatās Dhātā and Vidhātā. On the hips are the seven saintly sages like Vasiṣṭha and Aṅgirā. The coiled body of the dolphin turns toward the right side, on which the fourteen constellations from Abhijit to Punarvasu are located. On its left side are the fourteen stars from Puṣyā to Uttarāṣāḍhā. Thus its body is balanced because its sides are occupied by an equal number of stars on each side. On the back of the dolphin is the group of stars known as Ajavīthī, and on its abdomen is the Gaṅgā that flows in the sky (the Milky Way). At the base of the tail (lāṅgīle) are Prajāpati, Agni, Indra and Dharma. Udgayanāni refers to the fourteen constellations from Abhijīt to Punarvasu. Dakṣiṇāyanāni refers to the fourteen constellations from Puṣya to Uttarāśaḍha. Ajavīthī refes to the first portion of the constellations on the southern path.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Every star and constellation is mapped onto a part of the cosmic body of the Lord — nothing in the heavens floats unrelated. So in our experience, no event is unrelated to His body. Practice seeing connection rather than isolated fragments.
Reflection Questions
  • What event in my life recently felt 'random' that I have not yet connected to a larger body of meaning?
  • How would scattered experience feel if I trusted it was all mapped onto one form?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.6

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पुनर्वसुपुष्यौ दक्षिणवामयो: श्रोण्योरार्द्राश्लेषे च दक्षिणवामयो: पश्चिमयो: पादयोरभिजिदुत्तराषाढे दक्षिणवामयोर्नासिकयोर्यथासङ्ख्यं श्रवणपूर्वाषाढे दक्षिणवामयोर्लोचनयोर्धनिष्ठा मूलं च दक्षिणवामयो: कर्णयोर्मघादीन्यष्ट नक्षत्राणि दक्षिणायनानि वामपार्श्ववङ्‌क्रिषु युञ्जीत तथैव मृगशीर्षादीन्युदगयनानि दक्षिणपार्श्ववङ्‌क्रिषु प्रातिलोम्येन प्रयुञ्जीत शतभिषाज्येष्ठे स्कन्धयोर्दक्षिणवामयोर्न्यसेत् ॥ ६ ॥
punarvasu-puṣyau dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ śroṇyor ārdrāśleṣe ca dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ paścimayoḥ pādayor abhijid-uttarāṣāḍhe dakṣiṇa-vāmayor nāsikayor yathā-saṅkhyaṁ śravaṇa-pūrvāṣāḍhe dakṣiṇa-vāmayor locanayor dhaniṣṭhā mūlaṁ ca dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ karṇayor maghādīny aṣṭa nakṣatrāṇi dakṣiṇāyanāni vāma-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu yuñjīta tathaiva mṛga-śīrṣādīny udagayanāni dakṣiṇa-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu prātilomyena prayuñjīta śatabhiṣā-jyeṣṭhe skandhayor dakṣiṇa-vāmayor nyaset.
[punarvasu-pushyau dakshina-vaamayoh shronyor aardraashleshe cha dakshina-vaamayoh pashchimayoh paadayor abhijid-uttaraashaadhe dakshina-vaamayor naasikayor yathaa-sankhyam shravana-poorvaashaadhe dakshina-vaamayor lochanayor dhanishthaa moolam cha dakshina-vaamayoh karnayor maghaadeeny ashta nakshatraani dakshinaayanaani vaama-paarshva-vankrishu yunjeeta tathaiva mriga-sheershaadeeny udagayanaani dakshina-paarshva-vankrishu praatilomyena prayunjeeta shatabhishaa-jyeshthe skandhayor dakshina-vaamayor nyaset.]
Word-for-word
punarvasu — the star named Punarvasu puṣyau — and the star named Puṣyā dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — on the right and left śroṇyoḥ — loins ārdrā — the star named Ārdrā aśleṣe — the star named Aśleṣā ca — also dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — at the right and left paścimayoḥ — behind pādayoḥ — feet abhijit-uttarāṣāḍhe — the stars named Abhijit and Uttarāṣāḍhā dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — on the right and left nāsikayoḥ — nostrils yathā-saṅkhyam — according to numerical order śravaṇa-pūrvāṣāḍhe — the stars named Śravaṇā and Pūrvāṣāḍhā dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — at the right and left locanayoḥ — eyes dhaniṣṭhā mūlam ca — and the stars named Dhaniṣṭhā and Mūlā dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — at the right and left karṇayoḥ — ears maghā-ādīni — the stars such as Maghā aṣṭa nakṣatrāṇi — eight stars dakṣiṇa-āyanāni — which mark the southern course vāma-pārśva — of the left side vaṅkriṣu — at the ribs yuñjīta — may place tathā eva — similarly mṛga-śīrṣā-ādīni — such as Mṛgaśīrṣā udagayanāni — marking the northern course dakṣiṇa-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu — on the right side prātilomyena — in the reverse order prayuñjīta — may place śatabhiṣā — Śatabhiṣā jyeṣṭhe — Jyeṣṭhā skandhayoḥ — on the two shoulders dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ — right and left nyaset — should place.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
punarvasu-puṣyau dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ śroṇyor ārdrāśleṣe ca dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ paścimayoḥ pādayor abhijid-uttarāṣāḍhe dakṣiṇa-vāmayor nāsikayor yathā-saṅkhyaṁ śravaṇa-pūrvāṣāḍhe dakṣiṇa-vāmayor locanayor dhaniṣṭhā mūlaṁ ca dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ karṇayor maghādīny aṣṭa nakṣatrāṇi dakṣiṇāyanāni vāma-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu yuñjīta tathaiva mṛga-śīrṣādīny udagayanāni dakṣiṇa-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu prātilomyena prayuñjīta śatabhiṣā-jyeṣṭhe skandhayor dakṣiṇa-vāmayor nyaset.
punarvasu
the star named Punarvasu
puṣyau
and the star named Puṣyā
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
on the right and left
śroṇyoḥ
loins
ārdrā
the star named Ārdrā
aśleṣe
the star named Aśleṣā
ca
also
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
at the right and left
paścimayoḥ
behind
pādayoḥ
feet
abhijit-uttarāṣāḍhe
the stars named Abhijit and Uttarāṣāḍhā
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
on the right and left
nāsikayoḥ
nostrils
yathā-saṅkhyam
according to numerical order
śravaṇa-pūrvāṣāḍhe
the stars named Śravaṇā and Pūrvāṣāḍhā
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
at the right and left
locanayoḥ
eyes
dhaniṣṭhā mūlam ca
and the stars named Dhaniṣṭhā and Mūlā
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
at the right and left
karṇayoḥ
ears
maghā-ādīni
the stars such as Maghā
aṣṭa nakṣatrāṇi
eight stars
dakṣiṇa-āyanāni
which mark the southern course
vāma-pārśva
of the left side
vaṅkriṣu
at the ribs
yuñjīta
may place
tathā eva
similarly
mṛga-śīrṣā-ādīni
such as Mṛgaśīrṣā
udagayanāni
marking the northern course
dakṣiṇa-pārśva-vaṅkriṣu
on the right side
prātilomyena
in the reverse order
prayuñjīta
may place
śatabhiṣā
Śatabhiṣā
jyeṣṭhe
Jyeṣṭhā
skandhayoḥ
on the two shoulders
dakṣiṇa-vāmayoḥ
right and left
nyaset
should place.
On the right and left sides of where the loins might be on the Śiśumāra-cakra are the stars named Punarvasu and Puṣyā. Ārdrā and Aśleṣā are on its right and left feet, Abhijit and Uttarāṣāḍhā are on its right and left nostrils, Śravaṇā and Pūrvāṣāḍhā are at its right and left eyes, and Dhaniṣṭhā and Mūlā are on its right and left ears. The eight stars from Maghā to Anurādhā, which mark the southern course, are on the ribs of the left of its body, and the eight stars from Mṛgaśīrṣā to Pūrvabhādra, which mark the northern course, are on the ribs on the right side. Śatabhiṣā and Jyeṣṭhā are on the right and left shoulders.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
On the right and left loins are the stars named Punarvasu and Puṣyā. Ārdrā and Aśleṣā are on its right and left feet. Abhijit and Uttarāṣāḍhā are on its right and left nostrils, Śravaṇā and Pūrvāṣāḍhā are at its right and left eyes, and Dhaniṣṭhā and Mūlā are on its right and left ears. The eight stars from Maghā to Anurādhā, which mark the southern course, are on the ribs of the left side of its body, and the eight stars from Mṛgaśīrṣā to Pūrvabhādra, which mark the northern course, are on the ribs on the right side in reverse order. Śatabhiṣā and Jyeṣṭhā are on the right and left shoulders. The places of the constellations just mentioned are described in more detail. Vaṅkriṣu means on the ribs. The constellations Mṛgaśiras, Rohiṇī, Kṛttika, Bhāraṇī, Āśvinī, Revatī, Uttarabhadrā and Pūrvabhadrā situated on the right side are in reverse order.
Personal Guidance
Hips, feet, nostrils, eyes, ears — each star is part of a single body. The universe is one organism, not a collection of objects. If even stars are limbs, the people and creatures around you are too. Treat the world like a body, not like a heap.
Reflection Questions
  • When did I last treat someone like a separate object instead of a limb of the same body I share?
  • How would I respond to news, weather, or strangers differently if I saw them as parts of one form?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.7

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उत्तराहनावगस्तिरधराहनौ यमो मुखेषु चाङ्गारक: शनैश्चर उपस्थे बृहस्पति: ककुदि वक्षस्यादित्यो हृदये नारायणो मनसि चन्द्रो नाभ्यामुशना स्तनयोरश्विनौ बुध: प्राणापानयो राहुर्गले केतव: सर्वाङ्गेषु रोमसु सर्वे तारागणा: ॥ ७ ॥
uttarā-hanāv agastir adharā-hanau yamo mukheṣu cāṅgārakaḥ śanaiścara upasthe bṛhaspatiḥ kakudi vakṣasy ādityo hṛdaye nārāyaṇo manasi candro nābhyām uśanā stanayor aśvinau budhaḥ prāṇāpānayo rāhur gale ketavaḥ sarvāṅgeṣu romasu sarve tārā-gaṇāḥ.
[uttaraa-hanaav agastir adharaa-hanau yamo mukheshu chaangaarakah shanaishchara upasthe brihaspatih kakudi vakshasy aadityo hridaye naaraayano manasi chandro naabhyaam ushanaa stanayor ashvinau budhah praanaapaanayo raahur gale ketavah sarvaangeshu romasu sarve taaraa-ganaah.]
Word-for-word
uttarā-hanau — on the upper jaw agastiḥ — the star named Agasti adharā-hanau — on the lower jaw yamaḥ — Yamarāja mukheṣu — on the mouth ca — also aṅgārakaḥ — Mars śanaiścaraḥ — Saturn upasthe — on the genitals bṛhaspatiḥ — Jupiter kakudi — on the back of the neck vakṣasi — on the chest ādityaḥ — the sun hṛdaye — within the heart nārāyaṇaḥ — Lord Nārāyaṇa manasi — in the mind candraḥ — the moon nābhyām — on the navel uśanā — Venus stanayoḥ — on the two breasts aśvinau — the two stars named Aśvin budhaḥ — Mercury prāṇāpānayoḥ — in the inner airs known as prāṇa and apāna rāhuḥ — the planet Rāhu gale — on the neck ketavaḥ — comets sarva-aṅgeṣu — all over the body romasu — in the pores of the body sarve — all tārā-gaṇāḥ — the numerous stars.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
uttarā-hanāv agastir adharā-hanau yamo mukheṣu cāṅgārakaḥ śanaiścara upasthe bṛhaspatiḥ kakudi vakṣasy ādityo hṛdaye nārāyaṇo manasi candro nābhyām uśanā stanayor aśvinau budhaḥ prāṇāpānayo rāhur gale ketavaḥ sarvāṅgeṣu romasu sarve tārā-gaṇāḥ.
uttarā-hanau
on the upper jaw
agastiḥ
the star named Agasti
adharā-hanau
on the lower jaw
yamaḥ
Yamarāja
mukheṣu
on the mouth
ca
also
aṅgārakaḥ
Mars
śanaiścaraḥ
Saturn
upasthe
on the genitals
bṛhaspatiḥ
Jupiter
kakudi
on the back of the neck
vakṣasi
on the chest
ādityaḥ
the sun
hṛdaye
within the heart
nārāyaṇaḥ
Lord Nārāyaṇa
manasi
in the mind
candraḥ
the moon
nābhyām
on the navel
uśanā
Venus
stanayoḥ
on the two breasts
aśvinau
the two stars named Aśvin
budhaḥ
Mercury
prāṇāpānayoḥ
in the inner airs known as prāṇa and apāna
rāhuḥ
the planet Rāhu
gale
on the neck
ketavaḥ
comets
sarva-aṅgeṣu
all over the body
romasu
in the pores of the body
sarve
all
tārā-gaṇāḥ
the numerous stars.
On the upper chin of the śiśumāra is Agasti; on its lower chin, Yamarāja; on its mouth, Mars; on its genitals, Saturn; on the back of its neck, Jupiter; on its chest, the sun; and within the core of its heart, Nārāyaṇa. Within its mind is the moon; on its navel, Venus; and on its breasts, the Aśvinī-kumāras. Within its life air, which is known as prāṇāpāna, is Mercury, on its neck is Rāhu, all over its body are comets, and in its pores are the numerous stars.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
On the upper chin of the dolphin is Agasti; on its lower chin, Yamarāja; on its mouth, Mars; on its genitals, Saturn; on the back of its neck, Jupiter; on its chest, the sun; and within the core of its heart, Nārāyaṇa. Within its mind is the moon; on its navel, Venus; and on its breasts, the Aśvinī-kumāras. Its life air composed of prāṇa and āpāna is Mercury. On its neck is Rāhu. All over its body are comets, and in its pores are the numerous stars.
Personal Guidance
At the core of the heart of this cosmic body is Nārāyaṇa. The heart of all this vast structure is the Lord. When you trace any cosmic, social, or personal complexity to its center, the Lord is there. Press toward the heart.
Reflection Questions
  • What complexity in my current life would benefit from being traced inward toward its heart?
  • Where do I get lost in surfaces because I haven't sat with the question 'who is at the heart of this'?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.8

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एतदु हैव भगवतो विष्णो: सर्वदेवतामयं रूपमहरह: सन्ध्यायां प्रयतो वाग्यतो निरीक्षमाण उपतिष्ठेत नमो ज्योतिर्लोकाय कालायनायानिमिषां पतये महापुरुषायाभिधीमहीति ॥ ८ ॥
etad u haiva bhagavato viṣṇoḥ sarva-devatāmayaṁ rūpam aharahaḥ sandhyāyāṁ prayato vāgyato nirīkṣamāṇa upatiṣṭheta namo jyotir-lokāya kālāyanāyānimiṣāṁ pataye mahā-puruṣāyābhidhīmahīti.
[etad u haiva bhagavato vishnoh sarva-devataamayam roopam aharahah sandhyaayaam prayato vaagyato nireekshamaana upatishtheta namo jyotir-lokaaya kaalaayanaayaanimishaam pataye mahaa-purushaayaabhidheemaheeti.]
Word-for-word
etat — this u ha — indeed eva — certainly bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu sarva-devatā-mayam — consisting of all the demigods rūpam — form ahaḥ-ahaḥ — always sandhyāyām — in the morning, noon and evening prayataḥ — meditating upon vāgyataḥ — controlling the words nirīkṣamāṇaḥ — observing upatiṣṭheta — one should worship namaḥ — respectful obeisances jyotiḥ-lokāya — unto the resting place of all the planetary systems kālāyanāya — in the form of supreme time animiṣām — of the demigods pataye — unto the master mahā-puruṣāya — unto the Supreme person abhidhīmahi — let us meditate iti — thus.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
etad u haiva bhagavato viṣṇoḥ sarva-devatāmayaṁ rūpam aharahaḥ sandhyāyāṁ prayato vāgyato nirīkṣamāṇa upatiṣṭheta namo jyotir-lokāya kālāyanāyānimiṣāṁ pataye mahā-puruṣāyābhidhīmahīti.
etat
this
u ha
indeed
eva
certainly
bhagavataḥ
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
viṣṇoḥ
of Lord Viṣṇu
sarva-devatā-mayam
consisting of all the demigods
rūpam
form
ahaḥ-ahaḥ
always
sandhyāyām
in the morning, noon and evening
prayataḥ
meditating upon
vāgyataḥ
controlling the words
nirīkṣamāṇaḥ
observing
upatiṣṭheta
one should worship
namaḥ
respectful obeisances
jyotiḥ-lokāya
unto the resting place of all the planetary systems
kālāyanāya
in the form of supreme time
animiṣām
of the demigods
pataye
unto the master
mahā-puruṣāya
unto the Supreme person
abhidhīmahi
let us meditate
iti
thus.
My dear King, the body of the śiśumāra, as thus described, should be considered the external form of Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Morning, noon and evening, one should silently observe the form of the Lord as the Śiśumāra-cakra and worship Him with this mantra: “O Lord who have assumed the form of time! O resting place of all the planets moving in different orbits! O master of all demigods, O Supreme Person, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You and meditate upon You.”
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Morning, noon and evening, daily, while controlling speech, gazing at form of Viṣṇu composed of all the devatās, one should worship it using this mantra: "I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the shelter of all planets, the form of time, the master of the devatās, the Supreme Lord. I meditate on you."
Personal Guidance
Three times a day — morning, noon, evening — observe the cosmic form silently and offer a single mantra. Spiritual life is not always dramatic; it can be three small moments stitched through the day. Consistency outperforms intensity.
Reflection Questions
  • Could I establish three small daily appointments with the Lord — morning, noon, evening — that I would actually keep?
  • Where have I waited for big spiritual moments and missed the steady three-times-a-day kind?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.23.9

↗
ग्रहर्क्षतारामयमाधिदैविकं पापापहं मन्त्रकृतां त्रिकालम् । नमस्यत: स्मरतो वा त्रिकालं नश्येत तत्कालजमाशु पापम् ॥ ९ ॥
graharkṣatārāmayam ādhidaivikaṁ
[graharkshataaraamayam aadhidaivikam]
pāpāpahaṁ mantra-kṛtāṁ tri-kālam
[paapaapaham mantra-kritaam tri-kaalam]
namasyataḥ smarato vā tri-kālaṁ
[namasyatah smarato vaa tri-kaalam]
naśyeta tat-kālajam āśu pāpam
[nashyeta tat-kaalajam aashu paapam]
Word-for-word
graha-ṛkṣa-tārā-mayam — consisting of all the planets and stars ādhidaivikam — the leader of all the demigods pāpa-apaham — the killer of sinful reactions mantra-kṛtām — of those who chant the mantra mentioned above tri-kālam — three times namasyataḥ — offering obeisances smarataḥ — meditating vā — or tri-kālam — three times naśyeta — destroys tat-kāla-jam — born at that time āśu — very quickly pāpam — all sinful reactions.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
graharkṣatārāmayam ādhidaivikaṁ
graha-ṛkṣa-tārā-mayam
consisting of all the planets and stars
ādhidaivikam
the leader of all the demigods
pāpāpahaṁ mantra-kṛtāṁ tri-kālam
pāpa-apaham
the killer of sinful reactions
mantra-kṛtām
of those who chant the mantra mentioned above
tri-kālam
three times
namasyataḥ smarato vā tri-kālaṁ
namasyataḥ
offering obeisances
smarataḥ
meditating
vā
or
tri-kālam
three times
naśyeta tat-kālajam āśu pāpam
naśyeta
destroys
tat-kāla-jam
born at that time
āśu
very quickly
pāpam
all sinful reactions.
The body of the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, which forms the Śiśumāra-cakra, is the resting place of all the demigods and all the stars and planets. One who chants this mantra to worship that Supreme Person three times a day — morning, noon and evening — will surely be freed from all sinful reactions. If one simply offers his obeisances to this form or remembers this form three times a day, all his recent sinful activities will be destroyed.
Purport

Summarizing the entire description of the planetary systems of the universe, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that one who is able to meditate upon this arrangement as the virāṭ-rūpa, or viśva-rūpa, the external body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and worship Him three times a day by meditation will always be free from all sinful reactions. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura estimates that Dhruvaloka, the polestar, is 3,800,000 yojanas above the sun. Above Dhruvaloka by 10,000,000 yojanas is Maharloka, above Maharloka by 20,000,000 yojanas is Janaloka, above Janaloka by 80,000,000 yojanas is Tapoloka, and above Tapoloka by 120,000,000 yojanas is Satyaloka. Thus the distance from the sun to Satyaloka is 233,800,000 yojanas, or 1,870,400,000 miles. The Vaikuṇṭha planets begin 26,200,000 yojanas (209,600,000 miles) above Satyaloka. Thus the Viṣṇu Purāṇa describes that the covering of the universe is 260,000,000 yojanas (2,080,000,000 miles) away from the sun. The distance from the sun to the earth is 100,000 yojanas, and below the earth by 70,000 yojanas are the seven lower planetary systems called Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talātala, Mahātala, Rasātala and Pātāla. Below these lower planets by 30,000 yojanas, Śeṣa Nāga is lying on the Garbhodaka Ocean. That ocean is 249,800,000 yojanas deep. Thus the total diameter of the universe is approximately 500,000,000 yojanas, or 4,000,000,000 miles.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to the Fifth Canto, Twenty-third Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Śiśumāra Planetary Systems.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Persons who offer respects three times a day to this form and remember this form of the Lord which is composed of the planets, constellations and stars, and which destroys all sins, while chanting this mantra, quickly destroy all sins born of time. For persons who chant this mantra just mentioned, who offer respects to and remember this form of the Supreme Lord (adhidaivikam) all sins are destroyed. From the sun to Dhruvaloka is 3,800,000 yojanas. Maharloka is 10,000,000 yojanas from Dhruvaloka. Janaloka is 20,000,000 yojanas from Maharloka. Tapaloka is 80,000,000 yojanas from Janaloka. Satyaloka is 120,000,000 yojanas from Tapaloka. From the sun to Satyaloka is 233,800,000 yojanas. Vaikuṇṭha is 26,200,000 yojanas above Satyaloka. That is the covering of the universe. This is mentioned in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. Thus it is seen that 250,000,000 yojanas from the sun is the shell of the universe. The earth is 100,000 yojanas from the sun. The seven lower planets continue to Pātālaloka for 70,000 yojanas below the earth. From Pātālaloka to Śeṣa on the Garbodhaka Ocean is 30,000 yojanas. The Garbodhaka Ocean is 200,000 yojanas from the sun. The ocean is 249,800,000 yojanas deep. Thus from top to bottom, the universe is 500,000,000 yojanas. Thus ends the commentary on the Twenty-third Chapter of the Fifth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Twenty-four Description of the Lower Planets
Personal Guidance
Chanting or even remembering this form three times a day frees one from all recent sinful reactions. Simple, attentive remembrance is potent. We complicate spiritual life; the Lord keeps offering us simpler ways.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I made spiritual life so complicated that I keep failing at it?
  • What is the simplest version of remembrance I could actually sustain — and would I trust its power?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io