In the northern reaches of the cosmos, the rising and setting of the sun take on an intermediate nature, and during the full and new moons, their paths are seen to follow the great wheel of light. When the radiant Sun journeys along its southern course, it moves beneath all the planets, illuminating their lower paths. Above this, the Moon, having made a wide and graceful circuit, moves in its own orbit, and above the Moon, the entire circle of the constellations revolves in its majestic sweep. Ascending further, above the constellations lies Mercury, and higher still is Venus; above Venus is Mars, and above Mars, Jupiter. Beyond these slow-moving planets is the exalted region of the Seven Sages, the revered Saptarishis, and above them shines the fixed, steadfast position of Dhruva, the pole star. To know this supreme realm of Vishnu is to be freed from all sin, and it is said to lie at a distance of two thousand and one hundred yojanas from the earth. Above the planets, stars, and constellations, in their due order, are the planets themselves, and the Moon and Sun, each radiant with divine brilliance. These celestial bodies are ever linked to the constellations, moving in their appointed courses day and night. The planets, stars, and Sun occupy positions that are low, high, or straight in the heavens. When they come together or move apart, people on earth witness their conjunctions and separations at once; and the six seasons are said to unite in fivefold ways. All these are mutually established, joining and separating in harmonious order, and the wise understand that their conjunctions occur without confusion. Thus, O twice-born, the movement of the planets, led by the Sun, has been briefly described, both as observed and as heard in sacred tradition. In the lordship over the planets, the Blessed One was anointed by Brahma, the lotus-born, and the thousand-rayed Sun was anointed by Rudra, just as Guha was. Therefore, the virtuous should worship the planets and make offerings into the fire as prescribed, seeking fulfillment of their desires, especially in times of affliction caused by the Sun or other planets. The sages, eager to know more, asked: “How did Brahma, the lord of all creatures, anoint all beings, including gods and demons? Tell us this, O all-pervading one.” In response, it was explained that in the lordship over the planets, the Blessed One anointed the Sun; Brahma, lord of creatures, anointed Soma, the Moon, as lord of the stars and plants. Varuna was made lord of the waters, Kubera chief of the Yakshas, Vishnu among the Adityas, and Pavaka among the Vasus. Daksha became lord of the progenitors, Shakra of the Maruts, and Prahlada, foremost among the Daityas, was made lord of the Daityas and Danavas. Dharma was made lord of the ancestors, Nirriti of the flesh-eaters, Rudra of the animals, and Nandi, leader of the hosts, of the spirits. Virabhadra was made lord of the heroes, the terrifying one of the Piśācas, and Chamunda, honored by all gods, of the Mothers. The blue-red Ishvara became lord of the Rudras and gods, and Vinayaka, the elephant-faced god born of the sky, was made lord of obstacles. Uma was made goddess of women, Sarasvati of speech, Vishnu of the magicians, and Brahma himself the soul of the worlds. Himavat became lord of the mountains, Jahnavi of the rivers, and the ocean, the vast repository of waters, was made lord of all the seas. Among trees, the Lord of ancestors appointed the aśvattha and the plakṣa. Citraratha was made lord of the Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and Kinnaras; Vasuki, of fierce strength, became king of the serpents, and Takṣaka, also of fierce strength, lord of the snakes. Suparṇa was made lord of birds, and Uccaiḥśravas, the king of horses. The lion was appointed lord of beasts, the bull of cows, the śarabha of wild animals, Guha—immeasurable—as commander of armies, and Lakulīśa as lord of the Vedas and Smṛtis. Sudharmā, Śaṅkhapada, Ketumanta, and Hemaromā were each anointed in their turn. On earth, Pṛthu was made lord, Maheśvara lord of all, and among the four-formed, the all-knowing Śaṅkara, bearer of the bull-banner. By the grace of the blessed Śambhu, they were anointed in due order, and having consecrated them, the virtuous lord of the world shone forth. Thus, O foremost sages, it has been told in detail how these beings were anointed by the source of the universe and thus became distinguished. Hearing all this, the sages, still filled with questions, again approached Romaharṣaṇa, seeking further clarity. “O best of speakers,” they said, “tell us now in detail about the determination regarding the luminaries.” Hearing their request, the Sūta, composed and wise, spoke to resolve their doubts: “What has been said by the great wise ones of tranquil mind, that I shall declare to you—the course of the sun and moon.” He explained how the sun, moon, and other planets dwell in the abodes of the gods, and promised to reveal the threefold origin of fire. There is fire of the divine, fire of material substance, and fire belonging to earth. At the end of the cosmic night, from Brahman of unmanifest birth, all was covered in darkness; when only a fourth remained, the world was especially lost. In that darkness, the self-born Lord, desiring to manifest the worlds, moved about like a firefly, intent on creation. Then, at the beginning of the world, the Lord created fire, abiding in earth and water, and divided it threefold for the sake of illumination. The wind in this world is called earthly fire, and the pure fire that was at the beginning of creation in the sun is remembered as Agni, the divine flame.