Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 4
The Orbit of the Sun, the Measure of Day and Night, and the Sun-God’s Chariot
यदा मेषतुलयोर्वर्तते तदाहोरात्राणि समानानि भवन्ति यदा वृषभादिषु पञ्चसु च राशिषु चरति तदाहान्येव वर्धन्ते ह्रसति च मासि मास्येकैका घटिका रात्रिषु ॥ ४ ॥
yadā meṣa-tulayor vartate tadāho-rātrāṇi samānāni bhavanti yadā vṛṣabhādiṣu pañcasu ca rāśiṣu carati tadāhāny eva vardhante hrasati ca māsi māsy ekaikā ghaṭikā rātriṣu.
Ketika matahari melintasi Meṣa (Aries) dan Tulā (Libra), siang dan malam sama panjang. Ketika ia bergerak melalui lima rasi yang diawali Vṛṣabha (Taurus), panjang siang bertambah, dan panjang malam berkurang satu ghaṭikā (setengah jam) setiap bulan—hingga kembali di Tulā siang dan malam menjadi seimbang lagi.
FAQs
This verse states that when the Sun is in Aries and Libra, day and night become equal in duration.
In Canto 5, Śukadeva explains the structure and functioning of the universe, showing how time, seasons, and cosmic order operate under the Lord’s arrangement.
It encourages seeing time and seasonal rhythms as part of a higher cosmic order, supporting disciplined living (routine, balance) and remembrance that all time ultimately moves under divine governance.