Because they bear distinct marks, these celestial bodies are known as nakṣatras, the stars and constellations. The sun, as the maker of the nakṣatras, assigns to each its proper region in the heavens. Since they traverse the sky, they are also called tārakās, stars, and their name further reflects their shining whiteness. It is by constantly absorbing the sun’s radiance that even the austerities of ascetics are nourished and sustained. The sun himself is called Savitā, for he draws in the radiance of the waters. He is perceived as embodying whiteness, immortality, and a cool brilliance. The sun shines forth in a vessel that is white, auspicious, round, and silver-like. His disc is dense with radiant energy and shines with a pure white glow. Throughout all the Manvantaras, the stars, sun, and planets are mutually dependent, each upholding and supported by the others. The sun enters his own solar region, and likewise, the moon enters the lunar domain. Among the planets, Jaiva is known as Bṛhaspati, and Lauhita as Lohita. Baudha is Budha, and Svarbhānu is established in his own place. O virtuous one, know and accept all these shining celestial bodies. Their positions are maintained until the dissolution of the elements at the end of time. When the proud ones return, they once more occupy their divine stations. In this current Manvantara, the planets are called Vaitānika. Among the radiant beings, Dharmasuta, Soma, and Vasu are honored as gods. The god of great brilliance is remembered as the divine teacher, the son of Agni. Śanaiścara, the slow-moving and deformed one, is the son of Saṃjñā and Vivasvat. The stars, called ṛkṣa, are remembered as daughters of Dakṣa. The proud ones are counted among the Moon, the stars, the planets, and the Sun. The abode of Vivasvat, the thousand-rayed sun, is white and composed of fire. The house of the charming five-rayed one is watery and dark. Bhauma, with nine rays, dwells in a red, iron abode. Mandā, with eight rays, is said to have a black, iron house. All the stars are to be understood as having iron forms, and their rays are described as being like hands. They are dense and watery in nature, created at the very beginning of the kalpa. The axis of Savitṛ, the sun, is said to extend nine thousand yojanas. The moon’s extent is described as being twice that of the sun. When the shadow of the earth is taken, a circular form is fashioned, and as it emerges from the sun, it reaches the moon during the phases. That which dispels the radiance of the heavens is called Svarbhānu. Measurements of the heavens are taken from the supports and circles, beginning at the tip of the yojana. Mars and Saturn are each remembered as being a quarter less in size than Jupiter. The stars and constellations are not formless; they possess bodies. One who is knowledgeable in truth should know that most stars are associated with the moon. Their distances are measured in yojanas: five hundred, four hundred, three hundred, and two hundred. There are also half and fractional measures, but nothing less is found among them. Mars, Saturn, and the retrograde planets are to be understood as moving slowly, while the sun, moon, Mercury, and Venus are swift in their motion across the heavens.