PREFACE

Astrology? is no longer looked upon with derision. Interest in the study of ancient sciences has so far revived that only recently an institution has been founded for the study of alchemy. My translations of Jatakaparijata A classic 15th-century Sanskrit text on astrology, Sripatipaddhati A foundational work on calculating planetary strengths and Brihatjataka One of the five main treatises of Hindu astrology by Varahamihira have been appreciatingly received by the public. People who started scoffing have stayed on to exhibit a living interest and to learn what the science of astrology has to teach mankind. An appreciable number of predictions by Cheiro William John Warner (1866–1936), a famous Irish astrologer and palmist, whose recent demise we all deplore, based upon his study of this ancient, sacred and useful system has come true. For the service of humanity, the value of astrological publications cannot be gainsaid and no apology is needed by the author for a rendering of "Phaladeepika" Literally "Light on Fruits (Results)"; a major 16th-century work on predictive astrology and placing it before the public in an English garb for the first time with suitable explanations.

"Phaladeepika," a fascinating study in the technique of Astrology, was so far available only in Grantha An ancient script used in South India for writing Sanskrit characters and very lately in the Devanagari The standard script used for modern Hindi and Sanskrit script. Existing publications of Phaladeepika are incomplete and wanting in some chapters with some slokas Verses or poetic lines in the text also mismatched. Attempts have now been made to present the public with a complete text. A great deal of difficulty was experienced in tracing the XXVIII Adhyaya Chapter which was so far unavailable and in locating a few verses in their proper places in the text.

Mantreswara, the author of this important work, whose family deity was Sukuntalamba, came from the Tinnevelly District, the Southern end of the Indian Peninsula, and he appears to have flourished about the 16th century of the Christian Era, to judge from the intrinsic evidence available.

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