In the ancient wisdom of the cosmos, the proud celestial beings are counted among the Moon, the stars, the planets, and the Sun. Each has its own distinct abode and nature. Vivasvat, the thousand-rayed Sun, dwells in a radiant, white realm composed of fire. In contrast, the charming five-rayed planet resides in a watery, dark house. Bhauma, Mars, with its nine rays, is rooted in an iron, red abode, while Mandā, Saturn, with eight rays, is said to dwell in a black, iron house. All the stars themselves are understood to be made of iron, with their rays likened to hands. They are dense and watery in nature, having been created at the very beginning of the kalpa, the cosmic cycle. The axis of Savitṛ, the Sun, stretches nine thousand yojanas in length, and the Moon’s extent is described as twice that of the Sun. A circular form is fashioned by taking the shadow of the Earth, which, emerging from the Sun, reaches the Moon during its phases. This shadow, which drives away the radiance of the heavens, is known as Svarbhanu. The measurements of these celestial bodies are determined from the supports and circles, taken from the tip of the yojana. Mars and Saturn, it is remembered, are a quarter less in measure compared to Jupiter. All forms—stars and constellations—possess bodies, and those knowledgeable in truth understand that most stars are associated with the Moon. Distances among them are counted in yojanas: five hundred, four, three, and two, with half and fractional measures, and nothing less is known. Mars, Saturn, and the retrograde planets are understood to move slowly, while the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus are swift in their motion. Their movement among the constellations follows established rules and regulations. When the Moon travels the path of the northern solstice during its phases, it then follows the southern solstice, moving along its prescribed route. Sometimes, it is not seen at the proper time and quickly sets; sometimes, it is seen in the southern path by rule, and at times, it is not visible. During the equinoxes, the setting and rising of the Moon occur at the same time. The full moon and new moon follow the circuit of the luminaries. At such times, the Sun moves below all the planets, while the entire circle of stars moves above the Moon. Retrograde motion begins above Venus, and above the retrograde planets is Jupiter. Above the seven sages, the Ṛṣis, Dhruva is established as the fixed point. The spaces between stars and planets are arranged above, in a precise order. These celestial bodies are always joined to the zodiac signs, moving in a fixed sequence. People observe their conjunctions and separations simultaneously, and the wise understand their conjunctions without confusion. Just as with islands, oceans, and mountains, so too do all the planets arise among the stars. In the constellation Viśākhā, the first of the planets is born. The Moon, the cool-rayed one, is born in Kṛttikā. The foremost of stars and planets arises in the sign of Tishya, marking the eternal dance and order of the heavens.