PRASNA MARGA
WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION AND NOTES BY
BANGALORE VENKATA RAMAN
Editor, The Astrological Magazine
PART II
[Chapters XVII-XXXII]
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The first edition was published in 1985. The demand was so great that it went out of print within a short period.
The first edition carried only the English translation with my critical notes and illustrations without the original Sanskrit text in Devanagari. This was because, the text on which my translation was based, secured from the Oriental Library, Madras, was in Kannada script.
However, after the publication of the first edition, it was possible to get the text of the Part II copied in Devanagari script from the Oriental Library, Mysore. But this text did not contain many important slokas given in the earlier text in Kannada script.
Therefore it involved much time to compare both the manuscripts and make it complete.
Because of delay in getting ready the original text and because of my former publishers having suspended their publication business, the second edition could not be brought out earlier.
I am happy that this edition has been made complete by the addition of the Sanskrit text.
I am thankful to Mr. J.P. Jain of Messrs Motilal Banarsidass for coming forward to publish the new editions of both the parts of this great classic on astrology in an attractive form.
Bangalore
17-4-1992B. V. RAMAN
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
Of late interest in the study of astrology has been increasing not only in India but all over the world. Strangely, a certain section of the educated public in the name of "Scientific outlook" continue to snipe at astrology dubbing it as superstition. But no serious attempt has ever been made by these critics to examine scientifically the claims of astrology.
Crores of rupees expended on the so-called scientific evaluation of the composition of the stars and their life cycles etc. are sheer waste of public money, unless the astronomers and astrophysicists engage themselves in an intensive study of the correlations between planets, the celestial bodies and life on earth. Our ancients did not study astronomy as a venal occupation. To them a logical corollary was to link the study of astronomy with our affairs. The greatest astronomers of yore like Varahamihira were also great astrologers. They did not waste the knowledge of the celestial sphere on sheer scholastic pursuits. If Indian astronomers, proficient in western astronomy, shed their prejudices and predilections and take a new approach to astrology, highly developed by ancient savants, they will find truths full of significance to human life and relevant to modern times.
Prasna Marga is perhaps one of the most important treatises on predictive astrology, revealing methods peculiar to the genius of Kerala.
The first part (Chapters I to XVI) was published in 1980 and the reception extended to it has been more than expected as could be gleaned from the sale of the book and the spate of letter's of appreciation received by me.
A tentative translation of the second part (Chapters XVII to XXXII) was also made in 1942 along with the first part. Revised and re-written several times, the final version of this translation emerged in 1977.
Most of the educated persons who read the book are not acquainted with Sanskrit. Therefore, in deference to the wishes of such readers, the original text in Devanagari script has been omitted. However, in due time, it will be made available at a reasonable price, to those who ask for the text.
Copious notes have been added to explain obscure and tough passages and wherever necessary, examples have been given to enable aspiring students of astrology to understand the principles clearly.
I am thankful to my daughter Mrs. Gayatri Devi Vasudev for her assistance in the revision of the manuscript and writing the notes, to my esteemed friend Dr. P. $. Sastri for preparing the technical index and to Mr. G. K. Ananthram of IBH Prakashana for coming forward to bring out this book in an attractive form.
Bangalore
13-7-1985B. V. RAMAN
INTRODUCTION
My English translation of the second Part of Prasna Marga presented herewith is not literal in the sense of word for word translation but liberal. It gives the summary of each stanza as made out by me. It is therefore likely that in regard to some stanzas I may not have been quite successful in conveying the intended meanings of the original author.
One great difficulty I had to face in translating Part II into English was the absence of an authentic original text, printed or written, in Devanagari script.
Two versions of the original text of Part II were obtained, one from the Oriental Library, Madras, transcribed in Telugu script and the other, copied in Kannada script from the Oriental Library, Mysore, each differing from the other in regard to the wording of some slokas and the number of slokas in a chapter. No commentaries were available and I had to fall back on my own humble understanding and the assistance rendered by some Kerala friends well versed in Prasna Marga.
With regard to part I, I had no such difficulty because of the availability of an authentic printed edition with commentaries by the great scholar Punnasseri Neelakanta Sarma. Therefore for any translational errors, the responsibility is solely mine though the translation has been done as faithfully to the original as possible, keeping in view that in such a work it is the spirit of the author that matters.
In a way, the second Part is more important than the first, as it deals with some of the most significant events bearing on human life, such as marriage, children, occupation etc. Thepeculiarity is that it throws light not only on the Prasna chart but also embodies important and rare combinations bearing on the birth horoscope also.
No extant classical work on astrology appears to have gone so deeply into the subjects of marriage and marriage compatibility; birth and death of issues, childlessness, etc., as Prasna Marga.
Some of the methods given for timing events bearing on these matters are practical and novel offering wide scope for research.
The chapters on predicting rainfall, locating under-ground water and the existence of submerged wells etc., open a new-vista of astrological knowledge which is relevant to modern times and conditions if only our so-called men of science could shed their prejudices and avail themselves of this knowledge.
The other equally important subjects dealt with pertain to political astrology, installation of Deities in temples and discovering flaws after the installation.
Transits based mostly on Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita will be of more than casual interest. The chapter on Nashta Jataka expounds rules for casting horoscopes when birth details are not available.
Prasna Marga appears to be the only classical text covering thoroughly every aspect of human existence and throwing light on remedial measures to be adopted to neutralise afflictions causing different types of diseases, etc.
Now a Summary of the Book: Chapter Seventeen deals with the question of marriage. The longevities of either party to a match are of the utmost importance. Thereafter, the Vivaha Prasna must be carefully read. The author refers to various authorities such as Prasna Sangraha, Madhaveeyam, Prasna Ratna and, of course, Brihat Jataka on various combinations for happy marriages, unhappy unions, thwarted matches, early or delayed marriages etc. Certain combinations given also suggest early death of husband or wife or both. All these combinations are on the chart for the time of query.
Chapter Eighteen takes up the topic of children, their birth and longevity. A Santhathi Prasna or query bearing on children is applicable to both husband and wife. The 5th house is important in the case of a man and the 9th, fora woman. Combinations for the birth of limited or many issues, childlessness and for adoption of a child are given. References are made to celebrated treatises such as Madhava's Muhurta, Santana Deepika, Prasna Sangraha, Gnana Pradeepika Brihat Jataka, Shatpanchasika and Vidwajjana Vallabha to emphasize certain combinations. In some instances, Swara Sastra is also employed to divine whether one will have issues or not. Certain periods depending on the Moon's position in relation to the woman's natal Moon and the benefic aspects it receives are shown as good for sexual union to be fruitful. Several numerical methods to determine the question of children are also given.
Different kinds of Yogasphutas, Yamakantaka, Arudha-lagna, the nature of sign of certain yogasphutas being Prushtodaya or Urdhwodaya all influence the birth as well as the sex of the desired child. The method to fix up the time for sexual union to result in conception using the positions of planets at question time is also outlined. When an adoption is successful, when not, and what happens to the father or mother in certain cases are also detailed. Under certain combinations, the child may also die due to curses or abhichara (spells cast by enemies). Signs (lakshanas) and combinations to determine whether a woman is pregnant or not, her health, if there will be an abortion, sex of the unborn child, birth oftwins and time of delivery, remedial measures for planets unfavourably placed are all described.
Chapter Nineteen continues with the subject of progeny — their number, their times of birth, etc. Reasons for childlessness are alsodiscussed. Beeja and Kshetra sphutas are to be used in determining the virility of a man and the fertility of a woman respectively. Different methods to calculate these factors are explained. The subject of progeny, says the author, is very important because only a son can redeem the debts of his forefathers.
In Chapter Twenty the author delineates how the life and career of one's spouse may be examined from the horoscope. Marriage is absolutely necessary if one is to be entitled to perform ordained Karmas. Similarly, the 7th house and Venus in a woman's chart reveals all about her husband. How the time of marriage may be determined is also dealt with here.
Chapter Twenty one relates to marriage compatibility. Quoting several authorities such as Sarvasiddhi, Madhavacharya, Brihaspati, Muhurta Sangraha, Madhaveeya, Muhurta Ratna and Muhurta Abharana, the author says how the count is to be made for matching charts. Friendships of planets are also given.
Chapter Twenty two deals with the results of the transits of various planets. It also gives details of precious stones and articles governed by the different planets and ceremonies associated with them to be resorted to as remedial measures under adverse transits. Vedha and Vipareeta vedha, essential to interpreting transit results, are also described.
Chapter Twenty three, drawing from the classical treatise Karma Vipaka, deals with the primary causes of disease and remedial measures appropriate to them. These causes are basically related to acts of omission and commission.
Chapter Twenty four is a comprehensive one and covers matters relating to the Deities (Deva Prasna), ruler (RajaPrasna), war (Yuddha Prasna), and hunting (Mrigaya Prasna). How the Deity is to be installed and measures to set right flaws in the images or performance of traditional rituals are explained. Measures to ensure general prosperity are also given. Whether a marching army will invade or retreat and whether on attack will be successful or not are dealt with under Raja Prasna. Signs in nature and omens pointing to war and also natural calamities are also listed.
Tips on when to travel and when to avoid certain directions follow next. Hunting and the kind of game one will find under different planetary dispositions are dealt with in Mrigaya Prasna.
Chapter Twenty five deals with the subject of rainfall. What planetary combinations cause heavy rainfall, how rains in the first 15 ghatikas of certain lunar days give an indication of the rainfall for the entire fortnight in question, omens indicative of rainfall, how the first letter of a question bearing on rainfall, rainbows, asterisms, etc., maybe used to determine if there will be rains, storms and cyclones, are dealt with. These are based primarily on the Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira. These clues can also be used to answer Koopa Prasna or questions on digging wells.
Chapter Twenty six details Koopa Prasna explaining whether water can be found or not for digging a well at a particular spot. How to find whether the water is sweet, bitter, insipid, etc., is also dealt with.
Chapter Twenty seven takes up the subject of Bhojana Prasna. How the diner, the food one eats, rest after meals and the nature of conversation while eating can be gleaned from the Bhojana Prasna are explained. Proshithogamana Prasna which is strangely included in this chapter deals with the return of a person who is in exile.
Chapter Twenty eight deals with sexual union and its nature and the place where it took place.
Chapter Twenty/nine shows how questions can be answered when the querent puts his query in vague terms. Omens are also to be carefully noted in answering such questions. Questions on longevity and stolen goods are the most commonly encountered ones in such circumstances. By a careful study of the Arudha or Lagna, whichever is stronger, and the signs and planets involved, not only can the nature of the stolen articles be determined but also details about the thief, his whereabouts, his name and whether he is a relative or a stranger, etc., can all be known.
Chapter Thirty discusses methods to draw the horoscope of a person who does not know his birth time and is titled Nashta Jataka or unknown horoscope.
The nature of dreams and their implications on the basis of the time of question are detailed in Chapter Thirty one. Certain dreams indicate the onslaught of different kinds of disease and consequent death. The different parts of night in which dreams appear can be used to forecast the time when the portents of the dream will occur. The interpretation of dreams is quite exhaustive.
Chapter Thirty two deals with the Ashtakavarga System of Prediction, outlining the techniques of drawing an Ashtakavarga chart for the different planets and the Lagna. The results of each planet transiting signs in its own Ashtakavarga containing varying numbers of bindus are described. How transits of certain planets in the different Ashtakavarga charts may be used for planning one's secular activity for augmenting positive results and for minimising adverse indications are enumerated.
Drawing the Samudaya or collective Ashtakavarga and classifying the signs with different numbers of bindus as sreshta (best), madhyama (middling) and kanishta (least) with results ascribed to them being respectively proportional inquality and quantity are elaborated. By adding up the bindus in the different houses in different prescribed ways -one's financial prosperity, periods of fortune and misfortune, calamitous periods, etc., can be foreseen.
An interesting method by which the Ashtakavarga chart can be applied to Dasa results is also given. Trikona and Ekadhipatya reductions are next discussed with methods outlined to show how these results may be used to delineate happenings.
The last chapter of this treatise comes to an end with the author recapitulating what he has described in the entire text preceded by a brief account of himself. It is interesting to note that the author also refers to some of his rivals who had tried to underrate his writings.
Thus the two parts of Prasna Marga extending over 2500 stanzas cover the entire gamut of both horary and horoscopy and can therefore be of immense benefit to all those seriously interested in the study and understanding of the science of astrology.
Bangalore
13-7-1985B. V. RAMAN
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVII (Vivaha Prasna)
Putting the question — 2
About the girl's parents — 4
Possibility of marriage — 9
Death of the couple — 12
Indicative signs — 14
Ugly looking wife — 20
CHAPTER XVIII (Santhana Prasna)
Causes for absence of issues — 25
Adoption — 28
Loss of children — 29
Birth of children — 30
Barrenness in woman — 37
Garbha prasna — 45
Affliction to parents — 46
Ascertaining a woman's pregnancy — 57
Miscarriage — 59
Sex of the child — 60
Time of delivery — 67
Remedial measures — 76
Santhana thithi — 84
How Adoption is denied — 92
CHAPTER XIX (Issues According to BirthHoroscope)
Combinations for progeny — 95
Bija and kshetra sphutas — 96
Death of children — 102
Family extinction — 103
Childlessness — 105
Father's death before son's birth — 111
Adoption — 113
Number of issues — 122
Planetary rays — 125
When children are born — 129
CHAPTER XX (Seventh House Through Horoscope)
Factors to be considered — 134
Yogas for wife's death — 135
Character of wife — 136
Role of Venus — 137
Number of wives — 142
Birth star of wife — 146
Period of marriage — 150
CHAPTER XXI (Marriage Compatibility)
Rasi agreement — 153
Different views — 154
Sexual compatibility — 155
Planetary friendships — 158
Different kootas — 159
Gotra vichara — 165
Vihanganukoolya — 166
Bhootanukulya — 169
Ashtakavarga agreement — 171
Mental compatibility — 172
Important items of concordance — 175
CHAPTER XXII (Effects of Transits)
Transit of the Sun — 177
The Moon's transits — 178
Transit of Mars — 179
Transit of Mercury — 180
Transit of Jupiter — 180
Transit of Venus — 182
Transit of Saturn — 183
Propitiation of planets — 184
Vedha and Vipareeta Vedha — 186
Vedhya signs — 189
CHAPTER XXIII (Diseases: Causes and Remedies)
Remedies as per Karma Vipaka — 192
Consumption — 192
Leprosy — 193
Serpis — 194
Leucoderma — 194
Dysentery — 194
Piles — 195
Diseases of the eye — 195
Ear defects — 195
Lingual diseases — 195
Rheumatism — 196
Colic trouble — 196
Spleen diseases — 196