法苑珠林 4.35

4.35

Among these twenty-eight lunar mansions, there are five mansions that travel for forty-five muhūrtas: namely, Bi, Shen, Di, Dou, and Bi. The meanings and significance of the twenty-eight mansions are vast and manifold, difficult to penetrate to their deep import, and are not set forth in full. I have now briefly expounded the periods of these mansions, and all the devas who heard it together rejoiced. At that time, the ṛṣi Kharoṣṭha pressed his palms together before the great assembly and said: 'In thus setting in place the sun, the moon, the years, and the seasons—(this arrangement of the sun, moon, years, and seasons is nearly one scroll in the sūtra; because the text is voluminous, it is not recorded here)—and the major and minor stars and mansions, what are called the six seasons?' The reply was: 'The first and second months are called the Warm Season; the third and fourth months are called the Planting Season; the fifth and sixth months are called the Rain-Praying Season; the seventh and eighth months are called the Ripening Season; the ninth and tenth months are called the Freezing Season; the eleventh and twelfth months—together with this, the twelfth month is the Heavy Snow Season. These twelve months are divided into six seasons. Furthermore, there are eight major stars and planets: namely, Jupiter (the Year Star), Mars (the Sparkling Deluder), Saturn (the Quelling Star), Venus (the Great White), Mercury (the Morning Star), the Sun Star, the Moon Star, and the planet Rāhu. Furthermore, there are twenty-eight minor stars and constellations, which are those stars from Mao (the Pleiades) down to Wei mentioned earlier. I have arranged them in such order; what do you think, having seen and heard all this?' At that time, all the devas, humans, ṛṣis, asuras, nāgas, naras, and the like, all pressed their palms together and said in unison: 'Now this divine ṛṣi is the most venerable among devas and humans; even among all the nāgas and asuras none can surpass him. His wisdom and compassion are foremost. Throughout immeasurable kalpas he has not forgotten his pity for all sentient beings, and thus he has obtained this retribution of fortune. Among all devas and humans there is no one of such wisdom. With such a ritual method, no other sentient being could ever institute this teaching. We all rejoice with him; he brings us peace and joy. Excellent, O Great Virtuous One, who brings tranquility to sentient beings!' At that time, the ṛṣi Kharoṣṭha said further: 'This cycle of the twelve months, the beginning and end of a year, such expedient means, and the major and minor stars and planets, with the rules of moments and periods, have all now been expounded. Furthermore, I have established the Four Great Heavenly Kings, placing one king on each of the four sides of Mount Sumeru. Each of these directions abounds with sentient beings.' At that time, the entire great assembly acclaimed: 'Excellent!' and rejoiced immeasurably. Then the devas, nāgas, yakṣas, asuras, and others made offerings day and night. Later, after immeasurable ages had passed, there was another ṛṣi named Garga who appeared in the world. Later, he expounded separately the arrangement of the lunar mansions, the rules of short and long months, and the essentials of the seasonal divisions (as seen in the sūtra). For now, I briefly list the twenty-eight lunar mansions: their affiliations differ, and each has its divine protection. Therefore, the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra says: At that time the Buddha said to Mahābrahmā the lord of the Sahā world, Śakra Devānām Indra, and the Four Heavenly Kings: 'In the past, how did the divine ṛṣis arrange the lunar mansions and astral luminaries to protect the realms and nurture sentient beings?' Mahābrahmā and the others said to the Buddha: 'In the past, the divine ṛṣis distributed and arranged the lunar mansions and astral luminaries to protect the realms and nurture sentient beings, each holding domain over one of the four directions. In the east are seven lunar mansions: the first is Jiao (Citra), which governs birds. The second is Kang (Svati), which governs those who leave household life to seek the sacred path. The third is Di (Vishakha), which governs water-born beings. The fourth is Fang (Anuradha), which governs those who travel by carriage seeking profit. The fifth is Xin (Jyeshtha), which governs women. The sixth is Wei (Mula), which governs beings dwelling on islands and riverbanks. The seventh is Ji (Purva Ashadha), which governs potters. In the south are seven lunar mansions: the first is Jing (Punarvasu), which governs goldsmiths. The second is Gui (Pushya), which governs all kings and great ministers. The third is Liu (Ashlesha), which governs the nāgas of the Snow Mountains. The fourth is Xing (Magha), which governs the exceedingly wealthy. The fifth is Zhang (Purva Phalguni), which governs bandits and thieves. The sixth is Yi (Uttara Phalguni), which governs merchants. The seventh is Zhen (Hasta), which governs the country of Saurāṣṭra.