Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 1
Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas
Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework
राजोवाच यदेतद्भगवत आदित्यस्य मेरुं ध्रुवं च प्रदक्षिणेन परिक्रामतो राशीनामभिमुखं प्रचलितं चाप्रदक्षिणं भगवतोपवर्णितममुष्य वयं कथमनुमिमीमहीति ॥ १ ॥
rājovāca yad etad bhagavata ādityasya meruṁ dhruvaṁ ca pradakṣiṇena parikrāmato rāśīnām abhimukhaṁ pracalitaṁ cāpradakṣiṇaṁ bhagavatopavarṇitam amuṣya vayaṁ katham anumimīmahīti.
王パリークシットは問うた。「尊き御方よ、あなたは、至大の力をもつ太陽神がドゥルヴァローカを右にして、須弥山とドゥルヴァを右側に置きつつ周回すると真実を述べられました。ところが同時に、太陽神は黄道の星座に面し、須弥山とドゥルヴァローカを左に置いているようにも見えます。どうして同時に右にも左にもあると、私たちは理にかなって受け入れられるのでしょうか。」
FAQs
In this verse, King Parīkṣit highlights the Bhagavatam’s description that the Sun circumambulates Meru and Dhruvaloka clockwise, yet appears to have a counterclockwise motion relative to the zodiacal signs—prompting a request for clarification.
Because the cosmological description seems paradoxical: the Sun is said to circle Meru and Dhruva clockwise, but its observed relation to the rāśis (zodiacal signs) appears opposite; Parīkṣit asks the sage to reconcile these viewpoints.
It encourages intellectual humility: complex truths may look contradictory from different reference points, so one should inquire carefully, seek proper explanation, and avoid hasty conclusions.