For half a month, the foremost among the gods partake of their sacred draughts; when the new moon arrives, their time of drinking comes to an end, and they depart. Yet, on the fifteenth day, when only a small portion of the offering remains, some deities linger and continue to drink what is left for two more days. Thus, having consumed the Svadhā for the fulfillment of the month, they proceed to the heavenly nectar. In the dark fortnight as well, the gods drink this nectarous essence in the same manner. Meanwhile, the revered ancestors known as the Kavyas also partake in these divine offerings. The gentle seasons are to be recognized, and the months are remembered as Barhishads. On the fifteenth day, the ancestors drink their allotted portion, which, at the new moon, is replenished once more. In this way, through the influence of the Sun, the Moon waxes and wanes. The radiant chariot of the son of Soma shines with a pure, white brilliance, made entirely of light. The splendid chariot of Bhārgava glows with a luster like the Sun itself. Drawn by ten noble horses—white, tawny, spotted, dark blue, yellow, and bright red—they are strong, swift, and unattached. Some are red, all-pervading, and born of fire. The learned Brhaspati, the divine teacher of the Angiras lineage, rides in a chariot drawn by eight celestial, swift horses born from water. Shani, too, is borne by powerful steeds that are born of the sky. Svarbhanu’s eight horses are black and swift as thought. Rahu, emerging from the Adityas, approaches the Moon at the critical junctions. Ketu’s chariot is also drawn by eight swift horses. In this way, the vehicles of the planets and their chariots have been described. They blaze forth as they revolve, moving according to their ordained order. The Moon, Sun, and all the planets travel the sky, bound to their celestial paths. Just as a boat glides unhindered through water, so too do these hosts of gods move like serpents—unseen as they traverse the heavens. All are bound to the Pole Star, and as they revolve, they cause others to revolve as well. Thus, all the luminaries move in their courses, held fast by the wind. It is because the wind carries these shining ones that it is so named. This cosmic arrangement is to be understood as the constellation-form called Shishumara, with the Pole Star fixed in the sky at its center. All the stars that dwell in the heavens are situated upon the body of Shishumara, which itself is divided into many parts. Yajña, the supreme sacrifice, is known as the highest, and Dharma, the very principle of righteousness, is established upon its head. At its western thighs are Varuṇa and Aryaman; at the tail are Agni, Mahendra, Marīca, Kaśyapa, and Dhruva. The lunar mansions, the Moon, the planets, and the hosts of stars are all established by Dhruva, and they revolve around him. Among Agni, Indra, and Kaśyapa, Dhruva is regarded as the last. He observes Meru, always circling at its boundary. And so, with these mysteries recounted, the sages turned once more to Romaharṣaṇa and asked him further questions.