Markandeyapurana 58.79

58.79

mīnameṣau dvijaśreṣṭha ! pāde pūrvottare sthitau /
kūrme deśāstatharkṣāṇi deśeṣveteṣu vai dvija //

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.

The countries are placed in the Tortoise, and the constellations in these countries, O brāhman, and the signs of the zodiac in the constellations, the planets in the signs of the zodiac.[312] Therefore one should indicate calamity to a country when its particular planets and constellations are occulted. In that event one should bathe and give alms and perform the homa oblation and the rest of the ritual.