Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 7
Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas
Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework
अथ च यावन्नभोमण्डलं सह द्यावापृथिव्योर्मण्डलाभ्यां कार्त्स्न्येन स ह भुञ्जीत तं कालं संवत्सरं परिवत्सरमिडावत्सरमनुवत्सरं वत्सरमिति भानोर्मान्द्यशैघ्र्यसमगतिभि: समामनन्ति ॥ ७ ॥
atha ca yāvan nabho-maṇḍalaṁ saha dyāv-āpṛthivyor maṇḍalābhyāṁ kārtsnyena sa ha bhuñjīta taṁ kālaṁ saṁvatsaraṁ parivatsaram iḍāvatsaram anuvatsaraṁ vatsaram iti bhānor māndya-śaighrya-sama-gatibhiḥ samāmananti.
太阳神有三种速度：缓、疾与中。依此三速，祂环行天、地与空界诸轮一周所需之时，学者以五名称之：萨姆瓦特萨拉、帕里瓦特萨拉、伊达瓦特萨拉、阿努瓦特萨拉与瓦特萨拉。
According to solar astronomical calculations, each year extends six days beyond the calendar year, and according to lunar calculations, each year is six days shorter. Therefore, because of the movements of the sun and moon, there is a difference of twelve days between the solar and lunar years. As the Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara pass by, two extra months are added within each five years. This makes a sixth saṁvatsara, but because that saṁvatsara is extra, the solar system is calculated according to the above five names.
FAQs
This verse states that a ‘year’ is the time in which the Sun completes its full course along with the celestial sphere, and that the year is described with different names based on the Sun’s varying speed.
He explains that Vedic tradition recognizes subdivisions or classifications of the yearly cycle according to the Sun’s slow, fast, or regular movements, hence multiple technical names for the same annual time span.
It encourages awareness that time is an objective, governing principle in creation, inspiring disciplined living and spiritual urgency—using one’s limited time for dharma and bhakti.