Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas
Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework
उशनसा बुधो व्याख्यातस्तत उपरिष्टाद्विलक्षयोजनतो बुध: सोमसुत उपलभ्यमान: प्रायेण शुभकृद्यदार्काद् व्यतिरिच्येत तदातिवाताभ्रप्रायानावृष्ट्यादिभयमाशंसते ॥ १३ ॥
uśanasā budho vyākhyātas tata upariṣṭād dvi-lakṣa-yojanato budhaḥ soma-suta upalabhyamānaḥ prāyeṇa śubha-kṛd yadārkād vyatiricyeta tadātivātābhra-prāyānāvṛṣṭy-ādi-bhayam āśaṁsate.
Mercure, fils de la Lune, est dit semblable à Vénus : tantôt il chemine derrière le Soleil, tantôt devant, tantôt à ses côtés. Il se tient seize lakhs de yojanas au-dessus de Vénus et se montre presque toujours propice aux êtres de l’univers ; mais lorsqu’il ne suit pas la marche du Soleil, il annonce cyclones, poussières, pluies déréglées et nuages sans eau, suscitant la crainte par manque ou excès de pluie.
FAQs
This verse says Budha (Mercury), described by Uśanā, is generally auspicious, but when it deviates from its proper relation to the Sun it is regarded as indicating fearful disturbances like strong winds, heavy clouding, and drought.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks while instructing King Parīkṣit about the structure of the universe and the movements of the luminaries, showing how cosmic order and disorder are perceived within Vedic cosmology.
It encourages attentiveness to order and deviation: when harmony is disturbed, wise people take practical precautions and deepen their dependence on the Supreme Lord, rather than becoming complacent about “normal” auspicious conditions.