Devindatthao Devendrastava

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 45

XLIV: DEVENDRASTAVA Jyotişika gods -
Jyotisika gods are said to be five. They are – Moons (Candra), Suns (Sūrya), Stars (Tārāgana), Constellations (Naksatra) and Planets (Graha). Here, in this Prakīrņaka, their numbers, their spreads, their celestial bodies and their diameters have been described in detail (Verses 81–93). A very detailed discussion is found here about the Suns and the Moons. About their speed, it has been said that the Suns move faster than the Moons, the planets move faster than the Suns, the Constellations move faster than the Planets and the Stars move the fastest (Verses 94–96). The periods of conjunctions of various Constellations with the Moons and the Suns have also been given. For instance, the Constellations called satbhisaja, Bharani, Ārdrā, Āślesā, Svāti and Jyesthā have conjunctions with the Moons lasting for the periods of fifteen muhurtas each; three northern constellations – Punarvasu, Rohiņi and Viśākhā have conjunctions lasting for the periods of fortyfive muhurtas each, etc. Similarly, the conjunctions of other constellations with the Moons and the Suns have been given (Verses 97-107).
The numbers of Jyotişika gods in various regions of the universe can be very well understood from the Table-II on the next page (Verses 108–129) :
After this the groups, rows, divisions, their heat regions, their speeds etc have been described. Then the reasons and process of waxing and waning of the Moons have been described. In this context, it has been said that in the brighter halves of the lunar months (Sukla paksa), daily one 62th part of the Moon is uncovered by the planet Rāhu and the Moon waxes from new Moon (Sukla Pratipada) to full Moon (Pūrnima). Similarly, during the darker halves of the lunar months (Krsna paksa), daily one 62"" part of the