Shloka 11
The Orbit of the Sun, the Measure of Day and Night, and the Sun-God’s Chariot
एवं ततो वारुणीं सौम्यामैन्द्रीं च पुनस्तथान्ये च ग्रहा: सोमादयो नक्षत्रै: सह ज्योतिश्चक्रे समभ्युद्यन्ति सह वा निम्लोचन्ति ॥ ११ ॥
evaṁ tato vāruṇīṁ saumyām aindrīṁ ca punas tathānye ca grahāḥ somādayo nakṣatraiḥ saha jyotiś-cakre samabhyudyanti saha vā nimlo-canti.
Thus the sun travels from Saṁyamanī to Nimlocanī, Varuṇa’s abode; from there to Vibhāvarī, the abode of the moon-god; and from there it returns again to Devadhānī, Indra’s abode. In the same manner, the moon and the other planets and stars, together with the constellations, appear within the luminous wheel of the heavens, then set and again become unseen.
In Bhagavad-gītā (10.21) Kṛṣṇa says, nakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī: “Of stars I am the moon.” This indicates that the moon is similar to the other stars. The Vedic literature informs us that within this universe there is one sun, which is moving. The Western theory that all the luminaries in the sky are different suns is not confirmed in the Vedic literature. Nor can we assume that these luminaries are the suns of other universes, for each universe is covered by various layers of material elements, and therefore although the universes are clustered together, we cannot see from one universe to another. In other words, whatever we see is within this one universe. In each universe there is one Lord Brahmā, and there are other demigods on other planets, but there is only one sun.
FAQs
This verse states that the grahas (luminaries/planets) beginning with Soma (the Moon), along with the nakṣatras, rise and set together within the ‘wheel of light’ (jyotiścakra), indicating an ordered, coordinated celestial system.
In Canto 5, Śukadeva explains the structure and movements of the universe to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, detailing how various celestial authorities and luminaries function within the cosmic arrangement governed by the Lord.
A devotee can reflect on the harmony and regulation of the cosmos to deepen reverence for the Supreme Lord’s governance, cultivating humility and steadiness in devotional practice.