Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 14
Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas
Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework
अत ऊर्ध्वमङ्गारकोऽपि योजनलक्षद्वितय उपलभ्यमानस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभि: पक्षैरेकैकशो राशीन्द्वादशानुभुङ्क्ते यदि न वक्रेणाभिवर्तते प्रायेणाशुभग्रहोऽघशंस: ॥ १४ ॥
ata ūrdhvam aṅgārako ’pi yojana-lakṣa-dvitaya upalabhyamānas tribhis tribhiḥ pakṣair ekaikaśo rāśīn dvādaśānubhuṅkte yadi na vakreṇābhivartate prāyeṇāśubha-graho ’gha-śaṁsaḥ.
Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mercury, or 8,800,000 miles above earth, is the planet Mars. If this planet does not travel in a crooked way, it crosses through each sign of the zodiac in three fortnights and in this way travels through all twelve, one after another. It almost always creates unfavorable conditions in respect to rainfall and other influences.
FAQs
In Canto 5, the Bhagavatam describes Mars’ position, its time spent in each zodiac sign, and notes that it may move retrograde; it is generally regarded as an inauspicious planet (aśubha-graha).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is explaining the cosmic arrangement and planetary motions to King Parīkṣit.
The verse presents traditional cosmic observations, but the Bhagavatam’s broader teaching is to take shelter of bhakti—devotion to the Supreme—so one’s consciousness remains steady beyond worldly omens.