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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 22: The Orbits of the Planets
5.22.75.22.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.22.8

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.22.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं चन्द्रमा अर्कगभस्तिभ्य उपरिष्टाल्लक्षयोजनत उपलभ्यमानोऽर्कस्य संवत्सरभुक्तिं पक्षाभ्यां मासभुक्तिं सपादर्क्षाभ्यां दिनेनैव पक्षभुक्तिमग्रचारी द्रुततरगमनो भुङ्क्ते ॥ ८ ॥

evaṁ candramā arka-gabhastibhya upariṣṭāl lakṣa-yojanata upalabhyamāno ’rkasya saṁvatsara-bhuktiṁ pakṣābhyāṁ māsa-bhuktiṁ sapādarkṣābhyāṁ dinenaiva pakṣa-bhuktim agracārī drutatara-gamano bhuṅkte.

Translation

Above the rays of the sunshine by a distance of 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles] is the moon, which travels at a speed faster than that of the sun. In two lunar fortnights the moon travels through the equivalent of a saṁvatsara of the sun, in two and a quarter days it passes through a month of the sun, and in one day it passes through a fortnight of the sun.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Prabhupāda Affirms Trust in Vedic Calculations

  1. 1

    The verse places the moon 100,000 yojanas, or 800,000 miles, above the rays of sunshine and describes it as moving faster than the sun.

  2. 2

    In two lunar fortnights, the moon covers the equivalent of a year’s solar travel; in two and a quarter days, a month’s; and in one day, a fortnight’s.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda questions modern lunar excursions and contrasts changing scientific calculations with the steadiness of Vedic calculations. He states his acceptance of the Vedic calculations as correct.

Key points from the purport
  • When we take into account that the moon is 100,000 yojanas, or 800,000 miles, above the rays of the sunshine, it is very surprising that the modern excursions to the moon could be possible.
  • Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are uncertain.
  • Whether the Vedic calculations or modern ones are better may remain a mystery for others, but as far as we are concerned, we accept the Vedic calculations to be correct.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 22: The Orbits of the Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The moon is situated 100,000 yojanas above the rays of the sunshine. Day and night on the heavenly planets and Pitṛloka are calculated according to its waning and waxing.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.22
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. candramāthe moon
  3. arka-gabhastibhyaḥfrom the rays of the sunshine
  4. upariṣṭātabove
  5. lakṣa-yojanataḥby a measurement of 100,000 yojanas
  6. upalabhyamānaḥbeing situated
  7. arkasyaof the sun globe
  8. saṁvatsara-bhuktimthe passage of one year of enjoyment
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What reason does Śrīla Prabhupāda give here for trusting Vedic calculations?

Practice

Reread the purport and write one sentence summarizing its stated basis for confidence in Vedic calculations.

Live this todayPrabhupāda Affirms Trust in Vedic CalculationsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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