बृहत्संहिता (आचार्य वराहमिहिर - स्थापत्य, खगोल, मौसम व जल विज्ञान)

Adh. XI. Sl. 31-32. ] एकादशोऽध्यायः 137 दृश्योऽमावास्यायां कपालकेतुः मधूमरश्मिशिखः । प्रागभसोऽर्द्धविचारी क्षुन्मरकावृष्टिरोगकरः ॥३१॥ प्राग्वैश्वानरमार्गे शूलाग्रः श्यावरूक्षताम्राचिः । नभसस्त्रिभागगामी रौद्र इति कपालतुल्यफलः ॥३२॥ तथा च वृद्धगर्गः । ज्येष्ठा मूलमनूराधा या वीथी सम्प्रकीर्तिता । तां च वीथीं समारुह्य केतुश्चक्रीडते भृशम् ॥ दक्षिणाभिनतां कृत्वा शिखां घोरां भयङ्करीम् । शूलाग्रसदृशीं तीक्ष्णां श्यावताम्रारुणप्रभाम् ॥ पूर्वेण चोदितश्चैष नक्षत्राण्युपधूमयेत् । घोरं प्रजासु सृजति फलं मासे त्रयोदशे ॥ त्रिभागं नभसो गत्वा ततो गच्छत्यदर्शनम् । यावतो दिवसांस्तिष्ठेत्तावद्वर्षाणि तद्भयम् ॥ बृ. सं. 18

138 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XI. Sl. 33-36 शस्त्राग्निभयरोगैश्च दुर्भिक्षमरणैर्हताः । पूर्यमाणाः प्रजाः सर्वा विद्रवन्ति दिशो दश ॥ अपरस्यां चलकेतुः शिखया याम्याग्रयाङ्गुलोच्छ्रितया । गच्छेद्यथायथोदक् तथा तथा दैर्घ्यमायाति ॥३३॥ सप्तमुनीन् संस्पृश्य ध्रुवमभिजितमेव च प्रतिनिवृत्तः । नभसोऽर्द्धमात्रमित्वा याम्येनास्तं समुपयाति ॥३४॥ हन्यात्प्रयागकूलाद्यावदवन्तीं च पुष्कराररायम् । उदगपि च देविकामपि भूयिष्ठं मध्यदेशारुयम् ॥३५॥ अन्यानपि च स देशान् क्वचित्क्वचिद्धन्ति रोगदुर्भिक्षैः । दश मासान् फलपाकोऽस्य कैश्चिदष्टादश प्रोक्तः ॥३६॥ Slokas 33-36-There is a Chalaketu or a moveable comet rising in the west. His crest is an inch high and is turned to the south. His length increases the more it goes to the north. After touching the Seven Sages (Great Bear)-Vasishta and others-and also the Pole Star (Dhruva) and the star Abhijit he returns after travelling half the sky and sets in the south. When this comet appears, people in the region beginning from the banks of the Prayag and extending to the town of Ujjain and Pushkara forest will be destroyed. Those living in the north as far as the Devika river and the whole of the middle country will be wiped out. Other countries also will suffer from diseases and famine here and there. These effects will happen in the course of ten months. Others say it will be felt for 18 months. तथा च गर्गः । क्षुच्छस्त्रमरकव्याधिभयैः सम्पीड़येत् प्रजाः । मासान् दश तथाष्टौ च चलकेतुः सुदारुणः ॥

Adh. XI. Sl. 37-41.] एकादशोऽध्यायः 139 प्रागर्द्धरात्रदृश्यो याम्याग्रः श्वेतकेतुरन्यश्च । क इति युगाकृतिरपरे युगपत्तौ सप्तदिनदृश्यौ ॥३७॥ स्निग्धौ सुभिक्षशिवदावथाधिकं दृश्यते कनामा यः । दश वर्षाण्युपतापं जनयति शस्त्रप्रकोपकृतम् ॥३८॥ Slokas 37-38.—Sweta (white) Ketu is a comet who is visible in the eastern direction at mid-night. He has his crest turned to the south. There is a second comet Ka by name in the 'form of a yoke and can be seen in the west. Both these can be seen at the same time for a period of 7 days. They are clear and augur good and plenty to mankind if they be glossy. Should how- ever the comet Ka be visible for more than seven days, then it denotes that there will be war for ten years and consequent distress. श्वेत इति जटाकारो रूक्षः श्यावो वियत्त्रिभागगतः । विनिवर्त्ततेऽपसव्यं त्रिभागशेषाः प्रजाः कुरुते ॥३९॥ Sloka 39.—The comet named Sweta Ketu is like matted hair, rough and black ; after travelling a third of the distance in the sky, he retrogrades in the anti-clock- wise manner and destroys two-thirds of the population. आधूम्रया तु शिखया दर्शनमायाति कृत्तिकासंस्थः । ज्ञेयः स रश्मिकेतुः श्वेतसमानं फलं धत्ते ॥४०॥ Sloka 40—There is a comet having his seat near the asterism Krittika, who makes himself visible by his ashy- coloured crest. He is known as Rasmi Ketu and gives effects similar to those of Sweta Ketu. ध्रुवकेतुरनियतगतिप्रमाणवर्णाकृतिर्भवति विष्वक् । दिव्यान्तरिक्षभौमो भवत्ययं स्निग्ध इष्टफलः ॥४१॥

140 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XI. Sl. 42-45. सेनाङ्गेषु नृपाणां गृहतुरुशैलेषु चापि देशानाम्। गृहिणामुपस्करेषु च विनाशिनां दर्शनं याति ॥४२॥ Slokas 41-42—There is another comet known as Dhruva Ketu. His rate of motion, colour, magnitude and form are not regular. He travels everywhere in all the three worlds. He is soft and clear and gives auspi- cious effects. If he should be seen by the kings on their martial equipments, by people of countries on their houses, trees and mountains and by house-holders on their vessels and the like, these are doomed to destruction. कुमुद इति कुमुदकान्तिर्वारुण्यां प्राक्शिखो निशामेकाम्। दृष्टः सुभिक्षमतुलं दश किल वर्षाणि स करोति ॥४३॥ Sloka 43—A comet named Kumuda with his crest stretched in the east and with white lustre is observable in the west for only one night. As soon as he is visible, people in the world will have unique peace and plenty for a continuous period of ten years. सकृदेकयामदृश्यः सुसूक्ष्मतारोऽपरेण मणिकेतुः । ऋज्वी शिखास्य शुक्ला स्तनोद्गता क्षीरधारेव ॥४४॥ उदयन्नेव सुभिक्षं चतुरो मासान् करोत्यसौ सार्द्धान् । प्रादुर्भावं प्रायः करोति च क्षुद्रजन्तूनाम् ॥४५॥ Slokas 44-45.—Mani Ketu is the name of a comet. He is a very tiny little star appearing in the west and observable for only once and that too for a period of three hours. His crest is white and straight like a line of milk emanating from the breast. He hails with plenty of food lasting for a period of 4½ months. But he generally causes reptiles and venomous creatures to come into existence.

Adh. XI. Sl. 46-50] एकादशोऽध्यायः 141 जलकेतुरपि च पश्चात् स्निग्धः शिखयापरेण चोन्नतया । नव मासान् स सुभिक्षं करोति शान्तिं च लोकस्य ॥४६॥ Sloka 46.—The comet Jalaketu also appears in the west. He is spotless in his form and has a crest slightly higher inclined towards the west. He causes peace and abundance of food for a period of nine months. भवकेतुरेकरात्रं दृश्यः प्राक् सूक्ष्मतारकः स्निग्धः । हरिलाङ्गूलोपमया प्रदक्षिणावर्तया शिखया ॥४७॥ यावत एव मुहूर्तान् दर्शनमायाति निर्दिशेन्मासान् । तावदतुलं सुभिक्षं रूक्षे प्राणान्तिकान् रोगान् ॥४८॥ Slokas 47-48.—There is another comet Bhava Ketu by name which makes his appearance for one night in the east and is a tiny glossy star. He has got a crest turned to the right and resembling the tail of a lion. There will be unprecedented abundance of food for so many months as the number of Muhurtas for which he is visible. Should however he be rough instead of soft in body, there will be an outbreak of diseases which will prove mortal to mankind. अपरेण पद्मकेतुर्मृणालगौरो भवेन्निशामेकाम् । सप्त करोति सुभिक्षं वर्षाण्यतिहर्षयुक्तानि ॥४९॥ Sloka 49.—When the comet Padmaketu which ap- pears only for one night in the west and white like the fibre of lotus stalk, people in the land will enjoy happi- ness for a period of seven years. आवर्त्त इति निशार्द्धे सव्यशिखोऽरुणनिभोऽपरे स्निग्धः । यावत् क्षणान् स दृश्यस्तावन्मासान् सुभिक्षकरः ॥५०॥ Sloka 50.—Avartha is the name of another Ketu appearing at mid-night in the west with his crest turned to

142 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XI. Sl. 51-53 the South, glossy and red in colour. As many Muhurtas he makes himself visible, for so many months there will be peace and plenty to mankind. पश्चात् सन्ध्याकाले संवर्तो नाम धूम्रताम्रशिखः । आक्रम्य वियत्त्र्यंशं शूलाग्रावस्थितो रौद्रः ॥५१॥ यावत एव मुहूर्त्तान् दृश्यो वर्षाणि हन्ति तावन्ति । भूपान् शस्त्रनिपातैरुदयर्क्षं चापि पीडयति ॥५२॥ Slokas 51–52.—During the time of Sun-set a Ketu named Samvarta with a crest smoky and coppery in colour makes his appearance in the west. He occupies a third of the sky and is stationed like a trident and is frightful to look at. As many Muhurtas as he is visible, for so many years there will be war and strife among kings and they will ultimately perish. Men whose natal star is identical with the one in which the comet appears will also suffer. तथा च गर्गः येषां नक्षत्रविषये रूक्षः सज्वाललोहितः । दृश्यते बहुमूर्तिश्च तेषां विन्द्यान्महद्भयम् ॥ अवर्षं शस्त्रकोपं च व्याधिं दुर्भिक्षमेव च । कुर्यान्नृपतिपीडाश्च स्वचक्रपरचक्रतः ॥ यत्रोत्तिष्ठति नक्षत्रे प्रवासं यत्र गच्छति । धूपयेद्वा स्पृशेद्वापि हन्याद्देशांस्तदाश्रितान् ॥ तस्याभिषेकनक्षत्रं जन्मभं कर्मभं तथा । देशर्क्षं पीडयेद्वापि सशान्त्युपरमो भवेत् ॥ स्निग्धः प्रसन्नो विमलः प्रदक्षिणशिखस्तथा । दृश्यन्ते येषु देशेषु शिव तेषु विनिर्दिशेत् ॥ गगनाङ्कचरः सद्यः प्रधानदेशान् विनाशयेदचिरात् । निखिलगगनानुचारी त्रैलोक्यविनाशकः केतुः ॥ ये शस्तास्तान् हित्वा केतुभिराधूपितेऽथवा स्पृष्टे । नक्षत्रे भवति वधो येषां राज्ञां प्रवक्ष्ये तान् ॥५३॥

Adh. XI. Sl. 54-56] एकादशोऽध्यायः 143 Sloka 53.—Barring the Ketus (comets) that are good, I shall proceed to state the several princes that will be killed according as the other (malefic) comets eclipse the several stars by their tails or come in contact with the same. अश्विन्यामश्मकपं भरणीषु किरातपार्थिवं हन्यात् । बहुलासु कलिङ्गेशं रोहिण्यां शूरसेनपतिम् ॥५४॥ Sloka 54. When the asterism Aswini is dimmed or touched by a malign comet, the chief of the Asmakas will die. If Bharani be the star in question, it is the Kirata king that will be killed. When the star is Krittika, the Kalinga chief will perish. If the star be Rohini, the head of the Surasenas will meet with his death. औशीनरमपि सौम्ये जलजा जीवाधिपं तथाऽऽर्द्रासु । आदित्येऽश्मकनाथान् पुष्ये मगधाधिपं हन्ति ॥५५॥ Sloka 55. The king of the Useenaras will be killed when a bad comet dims or touches the star Mrigasira. The chief of the fishermen will be killed when the star Ardra is eclipsed by such a comet. The chief of the Asmakas and the lord of the Magadhas will respectively meet with their end when the asterisms Punarvasu and Pushya are contaminated by a malignant comet. असिकेशं भौजङ्गे पित्र्येऽङ्गं पाण्ड्यनाथमपि भाग्ये । औज्जयिनिकमार्यम्णे सावित्रे दण्डकाधिपतिम् ॥५६॥ Sloka 56. If the star be Aslesha, the head of the Asikas will be killed. The ruler of the Magadhas will die if the star in question be Magha. The king of the Pandya kingdom will take his exit when the asterism is Purvaphalguni. When the star is Uttaraphalguni, the

144 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XI. Sl. 57-60. chief of Ujjain will die. The lord of the Dandaka country will be affected when the star is Hasta. चित्रासु कुरुक्षेत्राधिपस्य मरणं समादिशेत्तज्ज्ञः । काश्मीरकाम्बोजौ नृपती प्राभञ्जने न स्तः ॥५७॥ Sloka 57. When a malign Ketu eclipses or touches the star Chittra, people in the know should declare the exit from the world of the chief of Kurukshetra. If the star in question be Swati, the two kings of Kasmira and Kamboja will cease to exist. इक्ष्वाकुरलकनाथश्च हन्यते यदि भवेद्द्विशाखासु । मैत्रे पुण्ड्राधिपतिर्ज्येष्ठासु च सार्वभौमवधः ॥५८॥ Sloka 58. If Visakha be the asterism that is thus eclipsed, the chiefs of the Ikshvakus and the Alakas will become extinct. A bad comet hitting the star Anuradha, the head of the Pundras will die. An emperor will meet with his end if the star in question be Jyeshta. मूलेऽन्ध्रमद्रकपती जलदेवे काशिपो मरणमेति । यौधेयकार्जुनायनशिविचेद्यान् वैश्वदेवे च ॥५९॥ Sloka 59. If the star Moola be eclipsed or dimmed by a malign comet, the chiefs of Andhra and Madraka countries will be killed. When the star in question is Purvashadha, the king of Kasi will perish. If it be Uttara- shadha, the kings of Yaudheya, Arjunayana, Sibi and Chedi will meet with their destruction. हन्यात् केकयनाथं पाञ्चनदं सिंहलाधिपं वाङ्गम् । नैमिषनृपं किरातं श्रवणादिषु षट्स्विमान् क्रमशः ॥६०॥ Sloka 60. If the asterism eclipsed happen to be any of the 6 stars from Sravana onwards, the following in their order will respectively meet with their end; 1. the

Adh. XI. Sl. 61-62] एकादशोऽध्यायः 145 lord of the Kekayas; 2. of the Panchanadas; 3. the lord of the Simhala; 4. the lord of the Vangas; 5. the king of the Naimisha country; 6. the Chief of the Kiratas. उल्काभिताडितशिखः शिखी शिवः शिवतरोऽतिवृष्टो यः। अशुभः स एव चोलावगाणसितहूणचीनानाम् ॥६१॥ Sloka 61. A comet whose crest has been hit by an Ulka (meteor) will prove auspicious; and if there be rain as soon as he is risen, it will be still more auspici- ous. The same will become unfavourable to the people of Chola, Afghans, the white Huns and the Chinese. अतिदृष्टः is another reading in the 1st line. नम्रा यतः शिखिशिखाभिसृता यतो वा ऋक्षं च यत् स्पृशति तत्कथितांश्च देशान् । दिव्यप्रभावनिहतान् स यथा गरुत्मान् भुङ्क्ते गतो नरपतिः परभोगिभोगान् ॥६२॥ Sloka 62. Note the quarters where the crests of the comets are bent or crooked, where they are projecting; also the asterisms hit or touched. The rulers of the countries denoted by or situated in these will be defeated through superhuman power by a foreign king who takes possession of all the pleasures enjoyed by them so far, just as Garuda destroys and feasts on the bodies of the serpents which are his enemies. तथा च पराशरः यस्यां दिशि समुत्तिष्ठेत्तां दिशं नाभियोजयेत् । यतः शिखा यतो धूमस्ततो यायान्नराधिपः ॥ प्रतिलोमे यतः केतोर्जयार्थी याति पार्थिवः । सामात्यवाहनबलः स नाशमधिगच्छति ॥ बृ. सं. 19

146 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XII. Sl. 1. दृष्ट्वा षोडश वासराञ् शुभदः कैश्चित्प्रदिष्टः शिखी सर्वारम्भफलप्रदो हि नियतं चैत्रेऽथवा माधवे । ऋक्षं यत्परिशुक्तपीडितहतं यच्चाऽऽशिखाभेदितं तत्सर्वं परिवर्ज्य शुद्धमपरं पाणिग्रहे वास्तुषु ॥ NOTE.—Compare (with the above) what modern science has to say on the subject of comets : "What then is a comet according to the latest scientific researches ? The spectroscope has pretty well solved the query. It consists, first, of a more or less solid nucleus of fire, blazing and glowing ; second, of vast masses of incandescent gas, constituting the luminous head ; third, solid materials, constituting the tail, which are ponderable, which reflect the Sun's light and are carried along by the influence of the nucleus ; fourth, an immense prolongation of the tail in the nature of attenuated volumes of gas. The solid materials of a comet, it is believed, consist of stones and sand, particles ground by ceaseless attrition. The proof of this is the concession of most astronomers that meteoric showers are shreds and patches of cometic matter, dropped from the tail, and these meteors are stones. The genesis of comets is found to be in the explosion of planetary bodies, a theory not without good scientific authority. Arago estimates that there are 17,000,000 of these fiery wan- derers within the orbit of Neptune, and Lambert regards 500,000,000 as a moderate estimate for those in the solar system. All the astronomers agree that they are scattered through space as profusely as the fish in the seas. The Orbit of the Earth is over- whelmed in a fine net work of cometary orbits, and our globe is like a lost child in a forest full of wild beasts. " CHIDAMBARA IYER. Thus ends the 11th Adhyaya on the "course of Comets". अगस्त्यचारः ॥१२॥ Agasthya (Canopus). भानोर्वर्त्मविघातवृद्धशिखरो विन्ध्याचलः स्तम्भितो वातापिर्मुनिनांक्षांभित् सुरारिपुर्जोऽनथ यनासुरः ।

Adh. XII. Śl. 1-6] द्वादशोऽध्यायः 147 पीतश्चाम्बुनिधिस्तपोम्बुनिधिना याम्या च दिग्भूषिता तस्यागस्त्यमुनेः पयोद्युतिकृतश्चारः समासादयम् ॥१॥ Sloka 1.—The course of Sage Agasthya is treated here briefly, that sage, the ocean of penance, who purifies the waters, who suppressed the Vindhya moun- tain whose peak or summit grew up obstructing the Sun’s path, by whom the demon Vatapi, the enemy of the Gods and the tearer of stomachs of sages, was devoured and absorbed, who drank off the ocean and who adorns the southern quarter. The sloka is from समाससंहिता. समुद्रोऽन्तः शैलैर्मकरनखरोत्खातशिखरैः कृतस्तोयोच्छित्या सपदि सुतरां येन रुचिरः । पतन्मुक्तामिश्रैः प्रवरमणिरत्नाम्बुनिवहैः सुरान् प्रत्यादेष्टुं मितमुकुटरत्नानिव पुरा ॥२॥ येन चाम्बुहरणेऽपि विद्रुमैर्भूधरैः समणिरत्नविद्रुमैः । निर्गतैस्तदुरगैश्च राजितः सागरोऽधिकतरं विराजितः ॥३॥ प्रस्फुरत्तिमिजलेभजिह्मगः क्षिप्तरत्ननिकरो महोदधिः । आपदां पदगतोऽपि यापितो येन पीतसलिलोऽमरश्रियम् ॥४॥ प्रचलत्तिमिशुक्तिशङ्खचितः सलिलोऽपहृतेऽपि पतिः सरिताम् । सतरङ्गसितोत्पलहंसभृतः सरसः शरदीव बिभर्ति रुचम् ॥५॥ तिमिसिताम्बुधरं मणितारकं स्फटिकचन्द्रमनम्बुशरद्द्युति । फणिफणोपलरश्मिशिखिग्रहं कुटिलगेशवियच्च चकार यः ॥६॥ दिनकररथमार्गविच्छित्तयेऽभ्युद्यतं यच्चलच्छृङ्ग- मुद्भ्रान्तविद्याधरांसावसक्तप्रियाव्यग्रदत्ताङ्कदेहाव- लम्बाम्बरात्युच्छ्रितोड्डूयमानध्वजैः शोभितं करिकटमदमिश्ररक्तावलेहानुवासासुसरि- द्विरेफावलीनोत्तमाङ्गैः कृतान् बाणपुष्पैरिवोत्तंसकान्-

148 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XII. Sl. 7 धारयद्भिर्मृगेन्द्रैः सनाथीकृतान्तर्द्दारीनिर्झरम् । गगनतलमिवोलिखन्तं प्रवृद्धैर्गजाकृष्टफुल्लद्रुम- त्रासविभ्रान्तमत्ताद्विरेफावली हृष्टमन्द्रखनैः शैलकूटैस्तरक्षरक्षशार्दूलशाखामृगाध्यासितैः रहसि मदनसक्तया रेवया कान्तयेत्रोपगूढं सुराध्या- सितोद्यानमम्भोननानन्नमूलानिलाहारविप्रान्वितं विन्ध्यमस्तम्भयद्यश्च तस्योदयः श्रूयताम् ॥७॥ Slokas 2—7.—Listen ! ye, now, to the description of the appearance of the Sage, who, in days of yore, sud- denly heightened the splendour of the ocean by the dry- ing up of its waters through the mountains situated in the interior whose summits were scooped out by the claws of crocodiles and which had streams of water in the form of choice gems and jewels falling upon them along with pearls, putting to shame as it were the Gods having a limited number of gems on their diadems, He, by whom the ocean though deprived of its watery contents, was made more beautiful by means of the mountains shorn of their trees and decked with gems, jewels and corals and through the serpents that emerged from them in long rows, He by whom the great ocean though brought to grief being drained off, was raised to divine glory since it displayed glittering whales, water-elephants and serpents, also heaps of gems scattered about, The Commentator interprets the first two compounds as applying to Devaloka also. Though the water is taken away, the ocean filled with floundering whales, pearl-oysters and conch-shells,

Adh. XII. Sl. 7] द्वादशोऽध्यायः 149 still possesses the splendour of a lake in autumn with its waves, lotuses and swans, He who converted the ocean (the lord of the rivers) into the sky, as it had white clouds in the form of whales, stars in the form of gems, the Moon in the form of crystal gem, the autumnal lustre in the form of the water- less bed and Ketus or comets in the form of the rays of the gems on the hoods of serpents, And he who stemmed the Vindhya Mountain which was bent upon obstructing the course of the Sun's car- riage and so had moving peaks, and which was adorned by the flags hoisted aloft in the form of clothes on the bodies of the Vidyadharas, who clinging to the shoulders of their confused lovers eagerly seated them on their own laps ; which possesses streams inside the caves occupied by lions whose heads are covered with bees following the fragrance caused by the tasting of the blood mixed with ichor on the heads of the elephants and are wearing orna- mental wreaths of 'Vana' flowers as it were on their heads ; which was scratching as it were, the firmament with its uplifted peaks which had the deep sound of humming of the swarms of the intoxicated bees that were scattered by the shaking of the trees in bloom by the elephants and which (peaks) were the abodes of hyenas, bears, tigers and monkeys ; which is embraced in private by the Rewa river (Narmada) having the Madana trees on her banks just as one is embraced in amorous sport by one's beloved, in whose gardens dwell the Gods and which is accompanied by sages who subsist on water, nothing, roots and air ; such was the Vindhya, when he was stemmed by Agasthya. Listen ! ye, now, to the rising of that sage.

150 बृहतसंहितायाम् [Adh. XII. Sl. 8-10 उदये च मुनेरगस्त्यनाम्नः कुसमायोगमलप्रदूषितानि । हृदयानि सतामिव स्वभावात् पुनरम्बूनि भवन्ति निर्मलानि ॥८॥ Sloka 8.—At the appearance of Sage Agasthya, the waters that are soiled (in the monsoon) • by their contact with mud become clear once again spontaneously, just as the minds that are defiled by the contact with the wicked become purified automatically at the sight of the virtuous. Cf. Raghuvamsa IV-21. प्रसादोदयादम्भः कुम्भयोनेर्महौजसः ॥ पार्श्वद्वयाधिष्ठितचक्रवाकामापुष्णती सस्वनहंसपङ्क्तिम् । ताम्बूलरक्तोत्कषिताग्रदन्ती विभाति योषेव शरत्सहासा ॥९॥ Sloka 9.—The autumn nurturing a row of cackling swans flanked on both sides by ruddy geese, shines like a smiling damsel whose front teeth are tinged red by betel leaves. It is a well known fact that Agasthya appears in the autumn making it very resplendent with bright moon-light, clear water, beautiful lotuses, charming rows of swans returning from the मानस- Manasa lake and good roads. सरित्सहासा is another reading. इन्दीवरासन्नसितोत्पलान्विता सरिद्भ्रमत्षट्पदपङ्क्तिभूषिता । सभ्रूलताक्षेपकटाक्षवीक्षणा विदग्धयोषेव विभाति सस्मरा ॥१०॥ Sloka 10.—The autumn which is endowed with white lotuses by the side of blue lilies and which is adorned with rows of hovering bees, appears as charming as a dexterous damsel in love with side-long glances coupled with knitted brows.

Adh. XII. Sl. 11-15] द्वादशोऽध्यायः 151 इन्दोः पयोदविगमोपहितां विभूतिं द्रष्टुं तरङ्गवलया कुमुदं निशासु । उन्मीलयत्यलिनिलीनदलं सुपक्ष्म वापी विलोचनमिवासिततारकान्तं। Sloka 11.—The pond with the bracelets of eddying waves opens at night the lilies under whose petals rest the bees as its eyes with dark pupils and beautiful lashes, as though to witness the Moon's splendour caused by the disappearance of the clouds. नानाविचित्रांबुजहंसकोककारण्डवापूर्णतडागहस्ता । रत्नैः प्रभूतैः कुसुमैः फलैश्च भूर्यच्छतीवार्घमगस्त्यनाम्ने ॥१२॥ Sloka 12.—The Earth with the hands of pools rep- lete with various kinds of lotuses, swans, ruddy geese and ducks greets, as it were, Sage Agasthya with the presents, viz., abundant gems, flowers and fruits. सलिलममुरपाज्ञयोज्झितं यद्धनपरिवेष्टितमूर्तिभिर्भुजङ्गैः । फणिजनितविषाग्निसम्प्रदुष्टं भवति शिवं तदगस्त्यदर्शनेन ॥१२॥ Sloka 13.—The water which has been poured out at the command of the rain-god Indra, by the serpents whose bodies are wrapt up in the clouds and which (water) is spoiled by fire and poison emitted by them, become pure at the appearance of Sage Agasthya. स्मरणादपि पापमपाकरोति किमुत स्तुतिभिर्वरुणाङ्गरुहः । मुनिभिः कथितोऽस्य यथार्थविधिः कथयामि तथैव नरेन्द्रहितम् ॥ Sloka 14.—The sage, Varuna's son, removes sin at a mere thought; how much more when it is coupled with invocations ! I am now describing for the benefit of the sovereign the method of propitiating the Sage as pro- pounded by the sages. संख्याविधानात्प्रतिदेशमस्य विज्ञाय सन्दर्शनमादिशेज्ज्ञः । तच्चोज्जयिन्यामगतस्य कन्यां भागैः खराख्यैः स्फुटभास्करस्य ।१५।

152 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XII. Sl. 16-17 Sloka 15.—The time of rising of Agasthya for each country should be determined and stated through cal- culations by the astronomer. Now, for Ujjain, it takes place when the Sun's true position is 7° short of sign Kanya. (a) Colebrooke has copiously commented on this passage. Misc. Essays, ii. p. 353, seq. (As Res. ix). The passage from the Panchasiddhantika referred to by Colebrooke, as analogous to one in the Bhasvati is : विषुवच्छायार्धगुणा पञ्चकृतिस्तत्कलास्ततश्चापम् । छायात्रिसप्तकयुतं दशभिर्गुणितं विनाड्यस्ताः ॥ ताभिः कर्कटकाद्याद्यल्लग्नं तादृशे सहस्रांशौ । याम्याशावानितामुखविशेषतिलको मुनिरगस्त्यः ॥ पञ्चसिद्धान्तिका ॥ "Multiply half the length of the equinoctial shadow by 25; take from this product, expressed in minutes, the corresponding arc : add the length of the shadow multiplied by 21; multiply by 10 ; this gives the number in Vinadis. At this number, reckoning from the beginning of Cancer, stands the Sun when Agasthya rises in the south, like a mark on the front of a damsel." तथा च समाससंहितायाम् । सप्तभिरंशैः कन्यामप्राप्ते रोमके तु दिवसकरे । दृष्टोऽगस्त्योऽवन्त्यां तत्समपूर्वापरेऽप्येवम् ॥ ईषत्प्रभिन्नेऽरुणरश्मिजालैर्नैशेऽन्धकारे दिशि दक्षिणस्याम् । सांवत्सरावेदितदिग्विभागे भूपोऽर्घमूर्व्यां प्रयतः प्रयच्छेत् ॥१६॥ कालोद्भवैः सुरभिभिः कुसुमैः फलैश्च रत्नैश्च सागरभवैः कनकाम्बरैश्च । धेन्वा वृषेण परमान्नयुतैश्च भक्ष्यै- र्दध्यक्षतैः सुरभिधूपविलेपनैश्च ॥१७॥ Slokas 16-17.—At the time when the nocturnal dark- ness is just pierced by the mass of Aruna's rays, the king being pure should offer in the south on the Earth the

Adh. XII. Sl. 18-20] द्वादशोऽध्यायः 153 presents consisting of fragrant flowers and fruits of the season, of gems from the sea, of gold, garment, milch cows, bulls, Payasa, edible curd, coloured rice, fragrant incense and pastes when the particular direction of the rise is announced by the astronomer. नरपतिरिममर्घं श्रद्दधानो दधानः प्रविगतगददोषो निर्जितारातिपक्षः । भवति यदि च दद्यात्सप्तवर्षाणि सम्य- ग्जलनिधिरशनायाः स्वामितां याति भूमेः ॥१८॥ Sloka 18.—Should a king make these offerings with a devout heart, he would be free from all diseases, and conquer the entire host of his enemies. If he should make such offerings for a period of seven years conti- nuously according to rules, he would rule over the entire earth girdled by the ocean. द्विजो यथालाभमुपाहृतार्घः प्राप्नोति वेदान् प्रमदाश्च पुत्रान् । वैश्यश्च गां भूरि धनं च शूद्रो रोगक्षयं धर्मफलं च सर्वे ॥१९॥ Sloka 19.—Should a Brahmin make the offerings according to his status, he would be blessed with a thorough knowledge of the Vedas, a charming wife and sons. If he be a Vaisya, he would get cattle. If he be a Sudra, he would become very wealthy. All persons in general who may undertake this will be free from diseases and will get benefits of virtue. रोगान् करोति परुषः कपिलस्त्ववृष्टिं धूम्रो गवामशुभकृत्स्फुरणो भयाय । माञ्जिष्ठरागसदृशः क्षुधमाहवांश्च कुर्यादणुश्च पुररोधमगस्त्यनामा ॥२०॥ बृ. सं. 20

154 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XII. Sl. 21-22 Sloka 20.—Agasthya causes diseases when he is rough ; drought, when he is russet ; harm to cows, if smoky ; if he should be throbbing, there would be fear engendered ; if similar to madder in colour, he brings famine and wars ; when he is tiny, he forebodes the siege of the town. शातकुम्भसदृशः स्फटिकाभस्तर्पयन्निव महीं किरणाग्रैः । दृश्यते यदि तदा प्रचुरान्ना भूर्भवत्यभयरोगजनाढ्या ॥२१॥ Sloka 21.—If he shines like gold or crystal and ap- pears to refresh, as it were, the Earth with streams of his rays, the country will have plenty of food and team with a contented and healthy population. तथा च गर्गः । शङ्खकुन्देन्दुगोक्षीरमृणालरजतप्रभः । दृश्यते यद्यगस्त्यः स्यात्सुभिक्षक्षेमकारकः ॥ वैश्वानरार्चिप्रतिमैर्मांसशोणितकर्दमैः । रणैर्भयैश्च विविधैः किञ्चिच्छेषायते प्रजा ॥ उल्कया विनिहतः शिखिना वा क्षुद्भयं मरकमेव विधत्ते । दृश्यते स किल हस्तगतेऽर्के रोहिणीमुपगतेऽस्तमुपैति ॥२२॥ Sloka 22.—If he be struck by a meteor or comet, he will bring danger of famine and pestilence. It is said that he rises when the Sun is in the asterism Hasta and sets when the Sun has reached Rohini.*

• "See Colebrooke, l.c. His statement that there are three periods of rising and setting, according to Utpala, is not quite exact. On the contrary, Utpala expressly intimates that the rising of Canopus when the Sun stands in Hasta, is contrary to science, and only repeated by the author out of deference for the Ancients. He says किलेत्यागमसूचने, which is quite true ; where our author uses किल, it is so much as relata refero यद्यत्रापि गणितसाम्यं न भवति तथाप्याचार्येण पूर्वशास्त्रदृष्टत्वात् कृतम् । The three periods of rising are

Adh. XIII. Sl. 1-2. ] त्रयोदशोऽध्यायः 155 enumerated by Parasara, as quoted by Utpala. Here part of the passage: तथा च पराशरः। हस्तस्थे सवितर्युदेति रोहिणीसंस्थे प्रवसति । अथास्य त्रिविधश्चारोदयकालो दृष्टः। आश्वयुग्बहुलाष्टमीपञ्चदश्योः कार्तिकाष्टम्यां वा । तत्रा- श्चयुग्बहुलोदितः सुवृष्टिक्षमान्नसम्पत्करः । " —Dr. Kern. अपि च। हन्यादुष्ट्रां यदागस्त्यं केतुर्वाप्युपधूपयेत् । दुर्भिक्षं जनमारश्च तदा जगति जायते ॥ सुस्निग्धवर्णः श्वेतश्च शातकुम्भसमप्रभः । मुनिः क्षेमसुभिक्षाय प्रजानामभयाय च ॥ Thus ends the 12th Adhyaya on the 'Course of Agasthya.' सप्तर्षिचारः ॥१३॥ The Seven Sages. सैकावलीव राजति ससितोत्पलमालिनी सहासेव । नाथवतीव च दिग्यैः कौवेरी सप्तभिर्मुनिभिः ॥१॥ ध्रुवनायकोपदेशान्नरिन्तीवोत्तरा भ्रमद्भिेश्च । यैश्चारमहं तेषां कथयिष्ये वृद्धगर्गमतात् ॥२॥ Slokas 1-2.—I shall describe according to the theory of Sage Vriddha Garga, the course of the Seven Seers, by whom the northern region has a lord as it were, through whom she shines as if adorned with a necklace of pearls, ike a maiden with a joyful countenance wearing a wreath of white lotuses; the seers by whose circular movements, the northern region seems verily dancing at the instruc- tion of the Pole-Star, the leader. तथा च भट्टब्रह्मगुप्तः । ध्रुवयोर्बद्धं सव्यगममराणां क्षितिजसंस्थमुडुचक्रम् । अपसव्यगमसुराणां भ्रमति प्रवह्हानिलक्षिप्तम् ॥ तेषां मुनीनां चारमहं वृद्धगर्गमतात् कथयिष्ये । वृद्धगर्गो नाम महामुनिस्तन्मतात्तत्कृताच्छास्त्रात् ॥ इति

156 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. XIII. Sl. 3-4 आसन्मघासु मुनयः शासति पृथ्वीं युधिष्ठिरे नृपतौ । षड्द्विकपञ्चद्वियुतः शककालस्तस्य राज्ञश्च ॥३॥ Sloka 3.—The Seven Sages were in the lunar man- sion—Magha—when King Yudhishtira was ruling over the earth, the period of that King being 2526 years be- fore the commencement of the Saka (Vikramarka?) era. The assumption made by certain commentators that शक should invariably refer to Vikrama Saka (56 B. C.) does not seem to be altogether correct. For, it is said in the Mahabharata that Kali set in soon after Krishna's departure. This should be 3102 B. C. Hence the age of Yudhishtira should be somewhere at the earlier part of the 32nd century before Christ. Subtracting 2526 from this figure we find that the Saka referred to in the Sloka should be in the 7th Century B. C. (far earlier than the age of the Buddha —5th century B. C.). Hence the above remark. तथा च वृद्धगर्गः । कलिद्वापरसन्धौ तु स्थितास्ते पितृदैवतम् । मुनयो धर्मनिरताः प्रजानां पालने रताः ॥ एकैकस्मिन्नृक्षे शतं शतं ते चरन्ति वर्षाणाम् । प्रागुदयतोऽप्यविवराद्यन्नयति तत्र संयुक्ताः ॥४॥ Sloka 4.—The sages in their course remain for a period of 100 years in each lunar mansion. Whichever star to the east of which the sages rise, makes them con- spicuous, in that they are said to be posited. प्रागुत्तरतश्चैते सदोदयन्ते मसाध्वीकाः is another reading. According to this reading, the meaning will be "they rise constantly in the northeast, together with the chaste Arundhatee." तथा च कश्यपः । शतं शतं तु वर्षाणामेकैकस्मिन् महर्षयः । नक्षत्रे निवसन्त्ये ते ससाध्वीका महातपाः ॥