Shloka 8
Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas
Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework
एवं चन्द्रमा अर्कगभस्तिभ्य उपरिष्टाल्लक्षयोजनत उपलभ्यमानोऽर्कस्य संवत्सरभुक्तिं पक्षाभ्यां मासभुक्तिं सपादर्क्षाभ्यां दिनेनैव पक्षभुक्तिमग्रचारी द्रुततरगमनो भुङ्क्ते ॥ ८ ॥
evaṁ candramā arka-gabhastibhya upariṣṭāl lakṣa-yojanata upalabhyamāno ’rkasya saṁvatsara-bhuktiṁ pakṣābhyāṁ māsa-bhuktiṁ sapādarkṣābhyāṁ dinenaiva pakṣa-bhuktim agracārī drutatara-gamano bhuṅkte.
One hundred thousand yojanas above the sun’s rays is the moon. Moving swifter than the sun, it traverses in two lunar fortnights what the sun covers in a year; in two and a quarter days what the sun covers in a month; and in a single day what the sun covers in a fortnight.
When we take into account that the moon is 100,000 yojanas, or 800,000 miles, above the rays of the sunshine, it is very surprising that the modern excursions to the moon could be possible. Since the moon is so distant, how space vehicles could go there is a doubtful mystery. Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are uncertain. We have to accept the calculations of the Vedic literature. These Vedic calculations are steady; the astronomical calculations made long ago and recorded in the Vedic literature are correct even now. Whether the Vedic calculations or modern ones are better may remain a mystery for others, but as far as we are concerned, we accept the Vedic calculations to be correct.
FAQs
In 5.22.8, Śukadeva explains that the Moon moves ahead of the Sun with faster motion, completing in shorter periods what the Sun completes in longer periods (fortnight/month/day comparisons).
He was narrating the Bhagavatam’s cosmology—how the Lord’s universe is arranged and regulated—so Parīkṣit could understand creation’s order and the Lord’s governance beyond worldly appearances.
It encourages reverence for cosmic order and time (kāla), helping a devotee cultivate humility and steady sādhana by seeing the universe as structured under the Supreme Lord’s control.