From the radiant orb of the sun, a subtle force emerges and journeys toward the moon during its phases, weaving a celestial connection between these two luminaries. There exists a being named Svarbhanu, so called because it dispels the brilliance of the heavens and casts its shadow upon their light. To comprehend the measures of the heavens, one must look to the supports and circles of the cosmos, where distances are gauged from the very tip of a yojana. In this grand design, Mars and Saturn are each remembered as being a quarter less in their measure compared to Jupiter. The stars and constellations that adorn the night sky are not mere points of light; rather, they possess distinct forms and bodies. One who knows the true nature of things recognizes that most of these stars are intimately connected with the moon. The distances among these celestial bodies are spoken of in terms of five hundred, four, three, and two yojanas. Even more precise are the half and fractional measures, for nothing less is known among them. Mars, Saturn, and those planets that move in retrograde are to be understood as slow-moving in their courses, while the sun, moon, Mercury, and Venus swiftly traverse the heavens. All these movements are governed by rules and regulations, and their paths among the constellations are firmly established. When the moon travels the path of the northern solstice during its phases, it later follows the prescribed route of the southern solstice as well. Sometimes, the moon is not seen at the proper time and sets quickly; at other times, it appears along the southern path as ordained, and occasionally it is hidden from view. At the equinoxes, a marvelous harmony occurs: the setting and rising of celestial bodies happen at the same time. The full moon and the new moon both follow the circuit of the luminaries, completing the grand design. At such times, the sun moves beneath all the other planets, while the circle of stars glides above the moon. Above Venus begins the realm of retrograde motion; above the retrograde planets is Jupiter, and above the seven sages—the revered stars of the Great Bear—Dhruva, the steadfast pole star, is firmly established. The spaces between stars and planets are arranged in ascending order, each in its proper place. Always joined to the zodiacal signs, these celestial bodies move in a fixed and orderly sequence. The wise observe their conjunctions and separations, seeing them occur simultaneously in the heavens. Without confusion, those learned in the science of the stars understand the true nature of their unions. Just as there are many islands, oceans, and mountains upon the earth, so too do all the planets arise and move among the stars. Each has its own place of origin: in Viśākhā, the first of the planets is born; the cool-rayed moon arises in Kṛttikā; the foremost among stars and planets emerges in the sign of Tishya; the teacher of the world, the planet Jupiter, is born in Pūrvā Phālgunī; and in Pūrvā Āṣāḍhā, another birth takes place as tradition says. Mercury, gentle and radiant with fivefold brilliance, arises in Dhaniṣṭhā, while the great and formidable planet—destroyer of all—is born in Ārśleṣā. Rahu, the shadowy planet, is composed of the essence of darkness, appearing as a black sphere by its very nature. All these stars and planets, including Bhargava and others, must be rightly understood, for they are affected by their own inherent faults and are divided according to their planetary order. Among the stars and planets, Venus shines most prominently; among comets, the smoky one stands out. Śraviṣṭhā is the foremost among the constellations, the northern solstice is preeminent among the turning points of the sun, winter is the chief among the seasons, and Māgha is the foremost of all months. Thus, the intricate order and grandeur of the heavens are revealed, each body and measure set in its proper place by divine ordinance, shining forth for those who seek to understand the mysteries of the cosmos.