Tajika Neelakanthi

The solar return The exact moment the Sun returns to its birth position occurs when the Sun reaches the same degree as at birth. Alternatively, the day of the solar return is determined when the weekday matches the day the Sun reaches that specific degree. In some regions, the day of the Sankranti The Sun's entry into a new zodiac sign is used for calculation; these are referred to as Gata (past) and Pravishtha (entered). The day is confirmed if the required weekday falls on that Pravishtha day or one day before or after it. || 17 ||

Translation of Verse 18: Multiply the daily motion of the planet by the number of days elapsed or remaining, then divide by sixty. The resulting degrees and minutes should be subtracted or added to make the planetary position accurate. || 18 ||

The accuracy of astrological predictions depends on the precise position of the planets. Calculating this through the primary astronomical treatises (Siddhantas) or shorter manuals like Grahalaghava involves great labor. Here, the Teacher has provided an easy method for clarifying planetary positions: multiply the daily motion found in the almanac (Panchang) by the time elapsed from the reference point to the desired moment, then adjust the reference position accordingly.

Example: The solar return occurs in the year 1886 Samvat 1943 on the 12th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Vaishakha, a Saturday, at 13 ghatis and 54 palas Traditional units of time; 1 ghati = 24 minutes. The almanac provides the planetary positions for the morning of the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Vaishakha (a Monday). The time elapsed from that reference morning to the desired moment is 5 days, 13 ghatis, and 54 palas. Since this time is yet to come from the reference point, it is called Aishya (future/remaining).

The Sun's position at the reference point was 0 signs, 13 degrees, 37 minutes, and 52 seconds, and its daily motion was 58 minutes and 14 seconds. Multiplying the motion by the elapsed time (5 days, 13 ghatis, 54 palas) using the Gomutrika A "zigzag" or "cow-path" method of multiplication used in ancient Indian mathematics or fractional multiplication method results in 5 degrees, 4 minutes, and 39 seconds. Since the desired time is after the reference point, we add this to the reference position (0s 13° 37' 52"). The resulting sum, 0s 18° 42' 31", is the precise position of the Sun for that moment. This same method should be applied to Mars and all other planets.

Another method to clarify planetary positions using only the almanac's "planetary motion tables" (Graha Chalaka) without a reference position is as follows: find the difference between the planetary motion value at the beginning of the constellation quarter (Nakshatra Charana) prior to the solar return and the value at the end. Use the Rule of Three A mathematical proportion: if A gives B, what does C give? to calculate: if a certain number of days results in a movement of 3 degrees and 20 minutes The span of one Nakshatra quarter, how much movement occurs in the interval from the first motion value to the desired time? Add the result to the total degrees already completed by the planet in its respective constellation quarters.