One can safely say that Hindu astrology took its birth through the teachings of Parasara, the sage of sages. The sage laid down the various principles in his Hora Sastra through his divine knowledge while instructing his disciple, the illustrious Maitreiya. All latter authors etc. ,thoroughly digested the sages principles before they compiled their works.
The Present translation in English is the first ever attempt in the press. To speak briefly of the work, it deals with all the required basic aphorisms of predictive astrology and advanced principles as well.
Some highlights of the work are : Sixteen Vargas of Rasis, their use, Aspects of Rasis, Infant evils, Results of 12 bhavas, Longevity, Results of Bhava Lord's positions in other Bhavas, Effects of Upagrahas, Padas Karakamsa, Rajayogas, Combinations causing poverty, Effects of various Planetary Avasthas, Chara Dasa, Sookshma Dasa, detailed effects of Nakshatra Dasa, Kala Chakra Dasa etc., Ashtaka Varga Scheme, Female Horoscopy, Lost Horoscopy, Planetary Rays and variousaffliction like Solar Ingression, Eclipses, Moola Nakshatra etc.
The Present English translation is fully supported by enlightening explanations and quotations from various rare authoritative classic texts so that even an average student can usefully and clearly understand the principles to be applied to a practical horoscope.
Presented herewith with pleasure is the first-ever English translation of the full text of the available version of Maharshi Parasara's Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra. But for the blessings of Lord Ganesa this would have been as uphill task for me.
Sri Maha Vishnu is the god of gods. So is ParasaraHora-the book of books in the field of astrology.
The work is in the form of a carritch between sage Parasara and his disciple Maitreya who later himself became a worthy sage. Parasara belonging to Vasishta's lineage was Veda Vyasa's father. As could be seen in the course of progressing thorugh the text, sage Saunaka was the preceptor of Parasara in the matter of astrology. Saunaka was one of the earliest sages and was Garga's disciple.
The date of Parasara could be attributed to be roughly the era of Dharma Raja of Maha Bharata. This can be understood when the sage states "in the present Yuga, Dharma Raja is born with the combination of..." He further states that Salivahana `will be born with the same combination...' Further, the reader could find statements relating to the horoscopic yogas of Maha Vishnu, Prajapati, Swayambhu Manu etc. which statement could possibly be made by no ordinary mortal.
Varaha Mihira in Brihat Samhita, Kalyana Varma in Saravali and many such other, illustrious authors gave references of Parasara's astrological statements.
Parasara Hora finds its translation in Bengali, Malayalam etc. which translations however have not been seen by me. I have with me the following versions.
1. Sri Venkateswata Press, Bombay, partly rendered in Hindi. For a majority of slokas, one can find Sanskrit commentary only.
2. Hindi translation by Sitaram Jha. (Master Khelari Lal, Varanasi edition)
3. Hindi translation by Devachandra Jha (Chaukambha edition)
4. Hindi translation by Ganesa Datta Pathak (Thakur Prasad edition)
After scrutinizing critically the four manuscripts, I have for reasona of more credibility chosen the Sanskrit version rendered by Sitararm Jha. The Chaukambha version is almost the same as that of Khelari Lal's.
Other versions that I have come across are :
1. Tamil translation by C. G. Rajan-for only 36 chapters, without Sanskrit verses.
2. English translation by N. N. K. Rao for only 25 chapters, without Sanskrit slokas.
Thus, I have felt a need to make the original version available in English to the fullest possible extent. Our version has 97 chapters containing English translation and exhaustive annotations and examples.
To handle the publication easily, we have divided the work in two volumes. The present Volume-first volume-contains 45 chapters while the remaining 52 chapters have been put in the second volume.
Chapter 1 and chapter 2 give some preliminary extra-astrological information. From chapter 3, the astrological information begins. In this chapter, planetary descriptions, benefics and malefics, planetary deities, complexions, sex, primordial compounds, seasons, relationships, dignities etc. are given. Methods of calculating the 5 Upagrahas like Dhooma and Muhurta Velas like Gulika are given. These are totally ten and have their own say on a nativity, as the other nine main Grahas have. So to say, these Upagrahas and Muhurta velas can alter in suitable proportions the effects due to Nava Grahas.
It has already been mentioned in preface to the first volume of this book translated by my learned colleague Shri R. Santhanam that as Shri Maha Vishnu is the god of gods, Parasara Hora is the book of books in the field of Astrology. Nothing better could be said about this great classic of Hindu Astrology.
Due to the persistent approach of the publishers and non-availability of Mr. Santhanam due to his preoccupation for the last three years, I had to take up this stupendous task of English translation of present volume of this great work.,
The book BRIHAT PARASARA HORA SASTRA is made up of 97 chapters, 45 of which have already been published as Vol.I have great pleasure in presenting herewith the English translation, with comments, illustrations and illustrative charts, of the remaining 52 chapters. The contents of these 52 chapters have been given in full detail in the Table of Contents.
But for the grace of God and the constant encouragement and assistance by the publishers of this book, it would not have been possible to complete this difficult and stupendous task. I hope this effort will prove useful to the readers.
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