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TEXT 8
evam candrama arka-gabhastibhya uparistal laksa-yojanata upalabhyamano rkasya samvatsara-bhuktim paksabhyam masa-bhuktim sapadarksabhyam dinenaiva paksa-bhuktim agracari drutatara-gamano bhunkte.
SYNONYMS
evamthus; candramathe moon; arka-gabhastibhyahfrom the rays of the sunshine; uparistatabove; laksa-yojanatahby a measurement of 100,000 yojanas; upalabhyamanahbeing situated; arkasyaof the sun globe; samvatsara-bhuktimthe passage of one year of enjoyment; paksabhyamby two fortnights; masa-bhuktimthe passage of one month; sapada-rksabhyamby two and a quarter days; dinenaby a day; evaonly; paksa-bhuktimthe passage of a fortnight; agracarimoving impetuously; druta-tara-gamanahpassing more speedily; bhunktepasses through.
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 samvatsara 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.
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. Since the moon is so distant, how space vehicles could go there is a doubtful mystery. Modern scientific calculations are subject to one change after another, and therefore they are uncertain. We have to accept the calculations of the Vedic literature. These Vedic calculations are steady; the astronomical calculations made long ago and recorded in the Vedic literature are correct even now. 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.
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