The Sun of Auspicious Moments with the Beloved of the Sun Commentary

"One should expand," meaning one should perform. It is also stated: "There will be tremors caused by the gathering of lightning. The Shula a specific inauspicious time-marker, literally 'a spear' occurs on the seventh [constellation] from the Sun; the Prashanishva on the eighth; the Ketu often referring to a comet or the descending lunar node on the tenth; likewise the Danda literally 'staff' or 'punishment' on the twelfth; the Nipana is declared by the wise on the fourteenth; and the Ulka meteor is said by those who know time to be on the nineteenth from the Sun's birth constellation." In the Daivajnavallabha a famous astrological treatise meaning 'The Astrologer’s Favorite' as well, it is said: "The Moha, Nirghata thunderous sound without clouds, and earthquakes are to be avoided. Halos original: "pariveṣa" should be known starting from the twenty-first constellation. When these coincide with certain points vinda, one should not perform any auspicious work. However, [actions involving] fire, weapons, and poisons may attain success through effort." I shall mention other faults in due course. Now, in this book, the names of months and so on are to be known as established by common worldly usage. Furthermore, the author addresses the lack of fault in repetition by saying: "Months, seasons, and solar paths..." The months are Chaitra and the others.

One should perform... from the poison of the great elephant... in the pairs... fifty... for the sake of the heavens... beautiful... cattle and so on. The established names of months, seasons, solar paths, days, planetary turnings, and lunar dates are to be understood. If there is repetition in some places, it is for the sake of easier memorization. || 5 ||

Thus ends the section on Forbidden Times in the Muhurtamartanda The 'Sun of Auspicious Moments' composed by Narayana, the son of the priest of the four-month sacrifice named Ananta. || 1 ||

The names of the Sun and the Ashvins, and the established designations for the Karanas half-lunar days, zodiac signs, and houses, are to be known as established in other scriptures. Thus, if there is repetition here and there in this work, it is not a fault, as it is intended to aid the memory from a distance. || 5 ||

Thus ends the Section on Forbidden Times in the Martandavallabha The 'Beloved of the Sun', the author's own commentary on the Muhurtamartanda. || 1 || 6 ||

Now, wishing to explain the General Section on Constellations, the author first gives the presiding deities of the constellations in a single verse. In this section, all verses are in the Shardulavikridita a majestic poetic meter consisting of 19 syllables per line meter. Starting from Aries—that is, from the constellation Ashvini—the lords of the constellations are declared by the wise as follows: the Ashvins the divine twins for Ashvini; Yama Lord of Death for Bharani; Agni Fire for Krittika; Brahma the Creator for Rohini; Indu the Moon for Mrigashirsha; Girisha Shiva, Lord of the Mountain for Ardra; Aditi Mother of the Gods for Punarvasu; Angiras Jupiter/Brihaspati for Pushya; the Serpents for Ashlesha; and the Ancestors Pitris for Magha.

Starting from Ashvini, the lords are the Ashvins, Yama, Agni, Brahma, the Moon, and Shiva; next are Aditi, Jupiter, the Serpents, the Ancestors, Bhaga, Aryaman, the Sun, Tvashtar, and Vayu;
Then Indra-Agni, Mitra, Indra, Nirriti, the Waters, the Universal Gods, Brahma, Vishnu, the Vasus, Varuna, Aja-Ekapada, Ahirbudhnya, and Pushan. || 1 ||

Bhaga for Purva Phalguni; Aryaman for Uttara Phalguni; the Sun for Hasta; Tvashtar the divine architect for Chitra; Vayu the Wind for Svati; the dual deity Indra-Agni for Vishakha; Mitra for Anuradha; Indra for Jyeshtha; Nirriti the deity of destruction for Mula; the Waters for Purva Ashadha; the Universal Gods for Uttara Ashadha; Brahma for Abhijit; Vishnu for Shravana; the Vasus for Dhanishtha; Varuna Lord of the Ocean for Shatabhisha; Aja-Ekapada for Purva Bhadrapada; Ahirbudhnya for Uttara Bhadrapada; and Pushan for Revati. The purpose of knowing the names of these deities is to identify the constellations and for the sake of performing sacrifices and rituals. || 1 || 7 ||