Markandeyapurana 58.73

58.73

prayatānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ graharkṣotthānyaśeṣataḥ /
eṣa kūrmo mayā khyāto bhārate bhagavān vibhuḥ //

I have described to thee what is the position of the Tortoise among the constellations. But this community of countries is inauspicious and also auspicious. Therefore a wise man, knowing the constellation of his particular country and the peculation of the planets, should perform a propitiatory rite for himself and observe the popular rumours, O best of men. Bad impulses[306] both of the gods and of the Daityas and other demons descend from the sky upon the earth; they have been called by sacred writings “popular rumours”[307] in the world. So a wise man should perform that propitiatory rite; he should not discard the popular rumours. By reason of them the decay of corrupt traditional doctrine[308] befits men. Those rumours may effect the rise of good and the casting off of sins, also the forsaking of wisdom,[309] O brāhman; they cause the loss of goods and other property. Therefore a wise man, being devoted to propitiatory rites and taking an interest in the popular rumours, should have the popular rumours proclaimed and the propitiatory rites performed at the occultations of planets; and he should practise fastings devoid of malice, the praise-worthy laudation of funeral monuments and other objects of veneration, prayer, the ḥoma oblation, and liberality and ablution; he should eschew anger and other passions. And a learned man should be devoid of malice and shew benevolence towards all created things; he should discard evil speech and also outrageous words. And a man should perform the, worship of the planets at all occultations. Thus all terrible things which result from the planets and constellations are without exception pacified with regard to self-subdued men.

This Tortoise described by me in India is in truth the adorable lord Nārāyaṇa, whose soul is inconceivable, and in whom everything is established. In it all the gods have their station, each resorting to his own constellation. Thus, in its middle are Agni, the Earth, and the Moon, O bhrāhman. In its middle are Aries and the next two constellations;[310] in its mouth are Gemini and the next constellation; and in the south-east foot Cancer and Leo are situated; and in its side are placed the three signs of the zodiac, Leo, Virgo and Libra: and both Libra and Scorpio are in its Southwest foot; and at its hinder part[311] is stationed Sagittarius along with Scorpio; and in its north-west foot are the three signs Sagittarius and the next two; and Aquarius and Pisces have resorted to its northern side; Pisces and Aries are placed in its north-east foot, O brahman.