One Hundred Verses on Astrology (Unknown) - Page 24

The transit of the stars is always auspicious for the enjoyer when they are in favorable positions. ॥ 18 ॥ For Saturn, Mars, and the Sun, certain houses are beneficial. For Mercury, Venus, and the Moon, the ninth, second, and fifth houses are auspicious. Likewise, the second, eighth, fourth, fifth, and ninth stars referring to the count from one's birth star bestow auspicious months...

Thus ends the Chapter on Lunar Transits

From the moment the Sun enters a new sign Sankranti; the passage of the Sun from one zodiac sign to the next, sixteen nadi a unit of time equal to 24 minutes before and after are considered significant. For the transit into Cancer Karkata, thirty units are remembered. For the first entry, a wise person should avoid auspicious works, fire sacrifices Homa, peaceful rituals, and vows Vratas during the night of the transit. The difference in the months is explained hereafter. ॥ 21 ॥

Now, the Determination of Solar Transits

From sunrise, twenty-six units are considered extremely subtle. According to the opinion of the sages, one should avoid those twenty-six and instead take the sixteen ghatikas equivalent to a nadi, 24 minutes before and after the transit as the auspicious time. In the transit of Cancer, the ghatikas before the transit are meritorious. In others, thirty, or for the sign of Aries Mesha, forty ghatikas are considered meritorious.

Furthermore, a lunar month that is devoid of a solar transit is known as an intercalary month Malimlucha or Adhimasa; an "unclean" extra month added to the lunar calendar to keep it in sync with the solar seasons. It should be avoided for all auspicious rituals. In a year where an intercalary month occurs, the two-month period associated with it is avoided for sacred acts. If a month is devoid of a solar transit, it is clearly an intercalary month. A month with two solar transits is called a lost month Kshaya Masa; a rare event where the lunar month is shorter than the solar transit, resulting in a month being "skipped". This may occur once in a great while. Within a year, typically after three intercalary months, two such months may be seen.

In the Shaka Era a historical calendar era beginning in 78 CE, when the count reaches a certain measure, the arrangement of these months is determined by the movements of the Sun and Moon.

...devoid of that, there are two months. ॥ 22 ॥ Now, regarding the Lost Month Kshaya Masa: it occurred in the Shaka year 977. Following that, it occurred in the year 1152. Then, another occurred in the year 1256. After that, one occurred in the year 1378. In the year where a "lost month" occurs, there are two intercalary months in that same year. This is how the decision regarding the months is made. On this matter, the Kathaka Grihya Parishishta a supplementary ritual text belonging to the Kathaka school of the Black Yajurveda states: in the intercalary month, rituals like the daily fire sacrifice and other light duties are performed, but special or optional rituals are forbidden.

Thus ends the Chapter on Lunar and Solar Transits

For all works, the constellations of Vasubha Dhanishta, Haya Ashwini, Pushya, and Aditi Punarvasu are considered beautiful and auspicious. The three "Hand" stars Hasta, Savitr, etc. are also beneficial. For those seeking to perform rituals, Pushya, Punarvasu, Hasta, Swati, Ashwini, Dhanishta, Revati, Mrigashirsha, and Shatabhisha are excellent for work. ॥ 93 ॥ These ten stars are considered "swift" or "gentle" and are suitable for activities like buying and selling, as well as for dealings with cattle. For buying and selling, the stars Dhurva, Hasta, Mriga, Ashwini, Dhanishta, Revati, and Anuradha are recommended by the wise. One should also consider the day—the fourteenth and eighth days of the lunar cycle Tithi should be checked. For entering a new place or a stable, Shravana and the three "Fixed" stars are preferred. ॥ 94 ॥

Now, Entering the Cow Pen

Regarding the entry of cattle into their stalls: this should not be done during a solar transit, on a New Moon Amavasya, or on the fourteenth or eighth lunar days. It should not be done under the star Shravana. Swift, mild, and fixed stars are remembered as best for the cattle and their masters.