The Essence of the Sciences 2

It is said that there are limbs referring to the Vedangas or auxiliary disciplines of the Vedas, namely: Phonetics, Ritual Canon, Grammar, Etymology, and Astronomy/Astrology—making 6. Among these six limbs, Astronomy is called the "Eye of the Veda" in the world. The seventh limb Head is the knowledge-refinement born from the grace of the chosen deity through the study of the scriptures. Therefore, through that specific knowledge, the desired goals are achieved. In this regard, without mentioning the teacher who turns the wheel original: shirami-vartakacharya, Varahamihira, enveloped in the essence of Time, spoke on the science of Horoscopy (Jataka) after the branch of Planetary Mathematics (Graha-ganita).

Logic Taking up the beginning of this work, and considering the success of all actions to be rooted in the nature of the self, he specifically addressed the science of Horoscopy for those charged with protecting the people kings and rulers. This knowledge, which bestows results at the time of helping all worlds, is directed toward the understanding of the Great Assembly. At the very beginning, desiring to perform a journey or start a venture without obstacles, he prays for the success of the radiant power of the Lord Sun. Just as the Sun, with its thousand rays, destroys the darkness of the world, so too does this science. It is not that he merely cuts through the unmeritorious; rather, he considers the liberation of all embodied beings who are subject to Time. May the Sun (Savita), who is the maker of the day, grant us success.

This verse is decorated with the poetic figure of "Self-Comparison" (Ananvaya-upama), where a single object is compared only to itself because nothing else is equal to it. Comparison As it is said: when a single object possesses the qualities of both the subject and the object of comparison, that is Ananvaya. An example: "Her face is like her face, beautiful with joy like the moon." Similarly, the Lord Sun is compared only to himself. As the commentators have said: "As is the mind, so is the purpose of the King." Here, the Sun is the supreme object of comparison because no equal exists for the Lord.

A ruler should be one who subdues the provocation of power, has disciplined senses, is energetic, loved by the subjects, firm, non-violent, content, and desirous of victory. One endowed with such qualities is fit for this study. This applies specifically to those with a known time of birth, and especially to those with an unknown time of birth, where the planetary portions at the time of the horoscope are analyzed. With great effort, the portions are divided; the rules of the divisions, the luck of the planets, and the signs are established by dividing the cycle of planets into months and days. By knowing the auspicious periods (dashas) of the planets placed in their respective positions, one understands the results. Even if the current periods are not auspicious, they are analyzed through these divisions.

As stated in the "Rules for Travel" (Yatra-vidhi): for a king desiring victory whose birth time is known, he should remain outside on campaign only after analyzing the efforts, months, and days. But what if the birth time is unknown? The science of Horoscopy is the science of knowing the good and bad for everyone. Because it is often dependent on variables, one might use signs or alternatives for an unknown birth. Fear Even for an unknown birth, the planetary portions can be known. Some call this "Divided Portions" based on the Samudrika physiognomy/body marks and omens. As it is said: "If the month and year are unknown, the sage says it can be known from the body; otherwise, all is auspicious."

First, the head is indicated; second, the mouth; third, the neck and heart. This is the sequence of the limbs. In the fifth, the belly; in the sixth, the waist; in the seventh, the private parts; in the eighth, the thighs; in the ninth, the knees; in the tenth, the shanks; and in the eleventh and twelfth, the feet. If these parts are associated with auspicious planets, the results are favorable.