The Royal Expedition of Varahamihira with Utpala's Commentary

...where crows are not seen, that region is fit to be attacked. (14) He says another thing: In temples, houses, dwellings, storehouses, thickets, or enclosures, if crows valibhujaLiterally "eaters of offerings," a common epithet for crows. show a lack of offspring, or if they act as a single unit, or if they make circles on the ground or fly in circles like a wheel above—(15) In whatever region crows make their abode in these supporting places—be it a temple of the gods, a house, a dwelling, a thicket, or a stable—and there is a lack of offspring (childlessness) among them, or they act with a single soul (as a single flock), or they make circular shapes on the ground or fly in the sky making a wheel-like formation, that region is fit to be attacked. (15) By the strike of a meteor ulkā, the sky becomes extremely bright; by the retrograde motion of a planet, its rays are affected; by the movement, touch, or smoke of a comet ketu; and the son of the Sun (Saturn) causes pain through thieves and such. (16) By groups of three constellations nakṣatra starting from Kṛttikā, if they are afflicted, the respective kings are fit to be attacked: the lords of the city, the King of Kaliṅga, the Lord of Ujjayinī... (17) Immediately following those are the Hārahūras, the Lord of Madra, and the Lord of the Kurus. These kings, situated within the "Tortoise Division" Kūrma-vibhāgaA traditional astrological map of India where regions are mapped onto the body of a cosmic tortoise., undergo special suffering. (18) When a meteor falls on a constellation, or when Darkness (Rāhu) afflicts it during an eclipse, it causes pain. When the Son of Earth (Mars) causes pain to a constellation through retrograde or highly retrograde motion; when the Crested One (Ketu/Comet) by its path, touch, or excessive smoke causes pain; or when the Son of the Sun (Saturn) causes pain—then, according to the Tortoise Division, that specific region is fit to be attacked. By groups of three constellations starting from Kṛttikā, if afflicted by the aforementioned signs, the following kings are to be attacked: from the three stars starting with Kṛttikā, the Pāñcāla king; from those starting with Ārdrā, the Lord of Magadha; from those starting with Aśleṣā, the King of Kaliṅga; from those starting with Uttarā Phālguṇī,

the Lord of Ujjayinī; from those starting with Svātī, the King of Anarta; from those starting with Jyeṣṭhā, the man of Sindh; from those starting with Uttarāṣāḍhā, the Hārahūra; from those starting with Śatabhiṣaj, the Lord of Madra; from those starting with Revatī, the Lord of the Kurus. These kings are among those situated on the Tortoise; or rather, the directions are spoken of by the word "Tortoise" because of its resemblance. In its eastern part, or in the south, north, etc., or in the western directions and intermediate quarters, those kings suffer special pain. (18) He states another sign of being fit for attack: The Sun is in Anga, the Moon among the Yavanas Greeks or western foreigners, Mars in Avanti, Mercury in Magadha, Jupiter in Sindh, Venus in Bhojakaṭa, and Saturn in the region of Surāṣṭra. (19) Ketu and Darkness (Rāhu) are born in Kaliṅga. Because of this, when these are afflicted, they also afflict their own birth-regions; therefore, they are fit to be attacked. Thus, by this method, the regions are determined. (20) "The Sun in Anga" means the Sun, the solar deity, is said to be born in the Anga region. The Moon is in the Yavana region; Mars in the Avanti region; Mercury (the Son of Soma) in Magadha; Jupiter in the Sindh region; Venus in Bhojakaṭa; Saturn in the Surāṣṭra region. Because Ketu and the Shadow (Rāhu) are born in Kaliṅga, when the Sun and other planets are afflicted by the fall of a meteor or by planetary portents, they cause distress to their own birth-regions. For this reason, in that method, those regions are fit to be attacked. (20) He says another thing: Where there are terrifying and loud human-like cries, or where tortoises are seen falling, or where there are many demons yātudhāna A class of malevolent spirits or demons.—that region loses its beauty and is fit to be attacked. (21) In whichever region... are eaten, or where tortoises or human-like cries are heard—terrifying, loud, and extremely cruel sounds—or where there is blood and flesh, or where many demons, ghosts, and ghouls are seen, that region is without splendor and is fit to be attacked. (21) Now he explains the knowledge of signs for attacking the Lord of the Gods (Indra)... The destruction of a country is predicted by these signs; the people become fearless or leave the country...