*SKANDHA V. CHAP. 22-23.*
The moon is one laksha of Yojanas over the Sun. The growing Moon makes
the day of the Devas and the waning Moon is the life of all Jivas, in
fact he is Jiva.
He is Manomaya, Annamaya and Amritamaya. From him therefore proceed the
life and advancement of Devas, Pitris, Men, Animals and Plants.
Two laksha of Yojanas over the Moon are the 27 Zodiacal constellations
and also the star Abhijit ( a mysterious star between Uttarashadha and
Sravana) attached to the wheel of time.
Two laksha of Yojanas over them is Sukra or Venus. His movements are
like those of the Sun. He is ever favourable to men. His progression is
generally accompanied by showers of rain. He also subdues those planets
that counteract the rains.
Two laksha of Yojanas over Sukra is Budha or Mercury. He is much like
Sukra in his movements and is generally favourable to men. But when he
transgresses the Sun, there is fear of high winds, rainless clouds and
drought.
Two laksha of Yojanas over Budha is Mangala or Mars. He moves round the
Zodiac in three fortnights. He is generally unfavourable to men, causing
miseries, unless he proceeds by retrogression.
Two laksha of Yojanas over Mars is Brihaspati or Jupiter. He moves in
each sign of the Zodiac for one Parivatsara (year of Jupiter), if there
is no retrogression. He is generally unfavorable to the Brahmanas.
Two laksha of Yojanas over Jupiter is Sanaischara or Saturn. He loiters
in each sign of the Zodiac for thirty months. He completes his round in
thirty Anuvatsaras. He is generally unfavourable to all and causes
unrest.
Eleven laksha of Yojanas over Saturn are the Rishis. Their influence is
for the good of all people. They revolve round the Supreme abode of
Vishnu.
Thirteen laksha of Yojanas beyond the Rishis is Dhruva, which is the
Supreme abode of Vishnu.
All luminous bodies attached to the wheel of time move round Dhruva
being propelled by Vayu while Dhruva remains fixed.
The planets and stars remain fixed in their relative positions, under
the union of Prakriti and Purusha by the future made for them by their
Karma.
Some however say that the luminous bodies become fixed in their relative
positions by the Yoga support of Vasudeva, being held together in the
shape of Sisumara (the Gangetic porpoise). The Sisumara has its face
downwards and its body is coiled.
Dhruva is at the end of its tail. Prajapati, Agni, Indra and Dharma are
in the lower part of the tail. Dhata and Vidhata are at the root of the
tail. The seven Rishis are in the middle. On the right side are the
fourteen Stars from Abhijit to Punarvasu. On the left side are the 14
stars from Pushya to Uttara Sarha. So on, all the stars and planets.
(For details refer to the original).
The Sisumara is the Universal manifestation of Maha Purusha.
[The following Geo-centric diagram is given, as illustrative of the
positions of the planets.]
[Illustration: Positions of the planets.]