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.
Above it is Mars (Aṅgāraka), situated two lakhs of yojanas higher than Mercury. If it does not turn in a curved (retrograde) course, it passes through the twelve zodiacal signs one after another, spending three fortnights in each; yet it is generally an inauspicious planet, foretelling adversity, especially regarding rainfall and related 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.