Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.22.7
Sthāna· The universe in orderSolar and Lunar Years Are Reconciled
“The sun-god has three speeds — slow, fast and moderate. The time he takes to travel entirely around the spheres of heaven, earth and space at these three speeds is referred to, by learned scholars, by the five names Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara and Vatsara.”
What the purport teaches
- The sun-god has slow, fast, and moderate speeds. Learned scholars name the periods of his complete journey Saṁvatsara, Parivatsara, Iḍāvatsara, Anuvatsara, and Vatsara.
- The purport explains that the solar year extends six days beyond the calendar year, while the lunar year is six days shorter. This produces a twelve-day difference between solar and lunar years.
- Two extra months are added within each five years. The purport describes these additions as an extra sixth saṁvatsara, while retaining the five names for the calculation.
Try this today
Write down the purport’s twelve-day difference and its adjustment of two extra months within five years.
Ask yourself
What does the adjustment of months help me understand about the different measures of a year?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.