Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira

CH. 2] BRIHAT SAMHITA.
3

CHAPTER II.

* One who is versed in Samhita natural astrology, Astronomy, and Horoscopy.

THE JYOUTISHAKA ASTROLOGER

We shall now proceed to give a brief description of the qualifications of a Jyoutishaka astrologer. He must be of noble birth and of agreeable appearance; meek, truthful, and without jealousy; of proportional limbs; of joints well built and of good growth; have no physical defects; be of fine hands, feet, nails, eyes, chin, teeth, ears, forehead, eye-brows, and head; of fine physique and of high, sonorous voice.

Generally speaking, do not virtues and vices follow the body?

THE VIRTUES:—He must be of cleanly habits, able, noble-minded, eloquent, and of originality and imagination; must possess a knowledge of place and time; be meek and without nervousness; must be difficult of conquest by his fellow students; must be able and devoid of vices; must be learned in matters of expiatory ceremonies, of Hygiene, of Occult Magic, and of ablutions; must be a worshipper of the Devas gods and an observer of fast and penance; must be of remarkable genius and capable of solving any difficulties save in matters of direct divine interference; and finally, he must be learned in astronomy, natural astrology (Samhita) and horoscopy.

IN ASTRONOMY:—He must have studied the works of Pulisa, Romaka, Vasishta, Surya, and Pitamaha; he must have a correct knowledge of a Yuga 4,320,000 solar years, Varusha a solar year, Ayana six solar months, Ruthu two solar months, Masa a solar month, Paksha fifteen solar days, Ahorathra a solar day, Yama one-eighth of a solar day, Muhurtha one-thirtieth of a solar day, Nadi one-sixtieth of a solar day or 24 minutes, Vinadi one-sixtieth of a Nadi or 24 seconds, Prana 4 seconds, Truti 1/33,750th of a second, and parts of a Truti and other divisions of time and also of divisions of space.