In the course of time, as the months unfold, the divine presences manifest in their own unique ways. During Margashirsha, Mitra presides; in Pausha, it is Vishnu, the eternal Lord, who shines forth. The god Pushan radiates with six thousand rays, and among them, the ray named Saptabhis stands prominent. Vivasvan, the solar deity, protects with ten rays, while Bhaga, another celestial, shines with eleven. Vishnu, the creator of the world, himself gleams with six thousand rays, illuminating all. As winter descends, the sun takes on a copper hue; in the cold season, it becomes red, reflecting the change in nature’s rhythm. The sun bestows immortality, nectar, and the threefold qualities in three distinct ways, sustaining all life. Alongside the sun, Mars, Mandha, Rahu, and Ketu are counted as the eighth among the celestial wanderers. They move in their proper order, revolving independently of the sun’s path. The wind, called Pravaha, carries them onward, propelling their journeys across the heavens. On either side, ten celestial bodies are joined, giving rise to the moon, whose waxing and waning are ever constant and fixed. The moon’s interior is continually replenished, day after day, reflecting the eternal cycle. The sun, O Brahmins, shines forth with a single, powerful ray called Suṣumnā. On the full moon day, this ray reveals the moon in its complete form, and the gods themselves partake of its ambrosial essence, enjoying divine nourishment. In the afternoon, the hosts of ancestors receive the remainder of this nectar. The moon, pure and meritorious, is itself of the nature of nectar, bestowing contentment upon the ancestors who have attained their highest satisfaction each month. Thus, O best of men, the cycles of decrease and increase are governed by the sun’s influence. The sun’s chariot, yoked with lotuses, travels everywhere, spreading its radiance. The earth’s beautiful golden chariot is drawn by eight horses, while the chariots of Svarbhānu and the lord of the sun are drawn by six horses each. All these celestial chariots are firmly fixed to the pole star, bound by the rays of the wind. Through these wind-rays, all revolve, causing the sun itself to move in its grand orbit. There, O best of the twice-born, are established those who preside over the cycles of time. Sanandana and other sons of Brahmā reside there, as do the Vairājas—gods who are free from suffering. In that realm, death is unknown, and it is remembered as Brahmā’s world. Brahmā abides there always with the yogis, having partaken of the supreme nectar of yoga. Yogis, ascetics, perfected beings, and reciters worship the Supreme Lord in that exalted place. Having reached this realm, sorrow is left behind; Vishnu is present, as is Śaṅkara. Words cannot describe this world, for it is filled with garlands of blazing flames. There rests the glorious Hari, master of illusion, transcendent and composed of māyā. Great souls who have surrendered to Janārdana find their way there. Surrounded by fire, the venerable Lord Bhava abides, attended by hundreds of thousands of yogis, beings, and Rudras. These devotees, intent on the divine, peaceful, ascetic, and speakers of Brahman, are endowed with Brahman and will see Rudraloka, as it is known. Below this exalted realm lie Mahātala and the other netherworlds, O twice-born ones. These are adorned with splendid palaces and abodes of the gods, each resplendent in its own glory, completing the vast and wondrous tapestry of the cosmos.