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

Adh. LXXIX. Sl. 36-39.] एकोनाशीतितमोऽध्यायः 627 Slokas 33-35.—The blemish called Nishkuta (cavity) is like a pot, hollow in the middle and narrow at the mouth ; the second, Kolaksha is blue and like a grain of black gram ; the third, Sukaranayana, is uneven, dis- coloured and extending over one joint and a half ; the fourth—Vatsanabha—is a spot running from left to right, broken and extending over one joint; the fifth, Kalaka, is a black spot ; and the sixth (धुन्धुक) is also dark, but cut. A faulty spot having the same colour as the wood itself is not deemed so harmful. निष्कुटसञ्ज्ञे द्रव्यक्षयस्तु कोलेक्षणे कुलध्वंसः । शस्त्रभयं सूकरके रोगभयं वत्सनाभाख्ये ॥३६॥ कालकधुन्धुकसञ्ज्ञं कीटैर्विद्धं च न शुभदं छिद्रम् । सर्वं ग्रन्थिप्रचुरं सर्वत्र न शोभनं दारु ॥३७॥ Slokas 36-37.—The blemish going by the name of Nishkuta causes loss of wealth ; Kolaksha, ruin of the family ; Sukara, danger from weapons ; Vatsanabha, danger from disease. The last two blemishes and a spot bored by insects are not auspicious. In general, timber full of knots is never good. एकद्रुमेण धन्यं वृक्षद्वयनिर्मितं च धन्यतरम् । त्रिभिरात्मजवृद्धिकरं चतुर्भिरर्थं यशश्चाग्र्यम् ॥३८॥ पञ्चवनस्पतिरचिते पञ्चत्वं याति तत्र यः शेते । षट्सप्ताष्टतरूणां काष्ठैर्घटिते कुलविनाशः ॥३९॥ Slokas 38-39.—A couch or seat made from one kind of timber is blessed ; more blessed is the one made from two kinds of timber ; one of three kinds leads to the prosperity of one's children ; one of four kinds, to wealth and foremost renown. One made from five kinds

628 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXX. Sl. 1-4. of timber causes the death of the person who sleeps on it ; and one of six, seven or eight kinds, the ruin of the family. Thus ends the 79th Adhyaya on " Signs of Couches and Seats.' रत्नपरीक्षा ॥८०॥ Examination Of Gems. रत्नेन शुभेन शुभं भवति नृपाणामनिष्टमशुभेन । यस्मादतः परीक्ष्यं दैवं रत्नाश्रितं तज्ज्ञैः ॥१॥ Sloka 1.—A jewel endowed with good characteris- tics ensures good luck to kings ; and one with bad ones, disaster. Hence the connoisseurs should examine their fortune as connected with jewels. द्विपहयवनितादीनां स्वगुणविशेषेण रत्नशब्दोऽस्ति । इह तूपलरत्नानामधिकारो वज्रपूर्वाणाम् ॥२॥ Sloka 2.—The word gem is applied to elephants, horses, women and so on, on account of the excellence of their intrinsic merits ; but here are dealt with precious stones, such as diamonds. रत्नानि बलाद्दैत्यादृषीचितोऽन्ये वदन्ति जातानि । केचिद्भूवः स्वभावाद्वैचित्र्यं प्राहुरुपलानाम् ॥३॥ Sloka 3.—Gems, they say, were born of the bones of the demon Bala ; while others state that they were born of sage Dadheechi ; yet others there are who say that the wonderful variety of gems is caused by the cha- racteristic qualities of the earth. वज्रेन्द्रनीलमरकतकेंकेतरपद्मरागरुधिराख्याः । वैडूर्यपुलकविमलकराजमणिस्फटिकशशिकान्ताः ॥४॥

Adh. LXXX. Sl. 5-10 ] अशीतितमोऽध्यायः 629 सौगन्धिकगोमेदकशङ्खमहानीलपुष्परागाख्याः । ब्रह्ममणिज्योतीरससस्यकमुक्ताप्रवालानि ॥५॥ Slokas 4-5.—The following are the gems :--Dia- mond, Sapphire, Emerald, Agate, Ruby, Blood-stone, Beryl, Amethyst, Vimalaka, Royal gem (quartz ?), crys- tal, Moon-gem, Saugandhika, Opal, Conch, Azure-stone, Topaz, Brahma-gem, Jyoteerasa, Sasyaka, Pearl and Coral. वेणातटे विशुद्धं शिरीषकुसुमप्रभं च कौशालकम् । सौराष्ट्रकमाताम्रं कृष्णं सौर्पारकं वज्रम् ॥६॥ ईषत्ताम्रं हिमवति मातङ्गं वल्लपुष्पसङ्काशम् । आपीतं च कलिङ्गे श्यामं पौण्ड्रेषु सम्भूतम् ॥७॥ Slokas 6-7.—Diamonds got from the banks of the Vena river are of the purest kind ; those of Kosala, have the lustre of the Sirisha flower (i. e. whitish yellow) those of Surashtra, a reddish lustre; those of Saurpara country are dark in colour ; those of the Himalayas, slightly reddish ; those of Matanga country have the colour (grey) of Valla blossoms ; those of Kalinga are yellowish, and those of Paundra, black (blue ?) ऐन्द्रं षडश्रि शुक्लं याम्यं सर्पास्यरूपमसितं च । कदलीकाण्डनिकाशं वैष्णवमिति सर्वसंस्थानम् ॥८॥ वारुणमबलागुह्योपमं भवेत् कर्णिकारपुष्पनिभम् । शृङ्गाटकसंस्थानं व्याघ्राक्षिनिभं च हौतभुजम् ॥९॥ वायव्यं च यवोपममशोककुसुमप्रभं समुद्दिष्टम् । स्रोतः खनिः प्रकीर्णकमित्याकरसम्भवस्त्रिविधः ॥१०॥ Slokas 8-10.—A hexagonal white diamond is presi- ded over by Indra; a dark one of the shape of a snake's

630 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXX. Sl. 11-14. mouth, by Yama ; one coloured like a plantain tree, and of any shape, by Vishnu ; one coloured like a Karnikara flower and shaped like the female genital organ, by Varu- na ; a triangular one of the colour of a tiger’s eye (bluish- red), by fire ; one having the form of a barley corn and the hue of Asoka flower, by Vayu. Diamonds have three different sources, viz., rivers, mines and other places where gems are found. रक्तं पीतं च शुभं राजन्यानां सितं द्विजातीनाम् । शैरीषं वैश्यानां शूद्राणां शस्यतेऽसिनिभम् ॥११॥ Sloka 11.—Red and yellow diamonds are auspicious for Kshatriyas ; white ones, for Brahmins ; those of the hue of Sirisha flower, for Vaisyas ; and those resembling swords in colour (dark), for Sudras. सितसर्षपाष्टकं तण्डुलो भवेत्तण्डुलैस्तु विंशत्या । तुलितस्य द्वे लक्षे मूल्यं द्विघ्नोनिते चैनत् ॥१२॥ पादत्र्यंशाधोनं त्रिभागपञ्चांशषोडशांशाश्च । भागश्च पञ्चविंशः शतिकः साहसिकश्चेति ॥१३॥ Slokas 12-13.—Eight seeds of white mustard make one rice-grain. The price of a diamond weighing twenty grains is two lakhs (Karsapanas) ; One weighing 18 grains is worth a lakh and a half Karshas silver ; one of 16 grains 133,333⅓ ; one of 14 grains, one lakh ; one of 12 grains, 66,666⅔ ; one of ten grains 40,000 ; one of eight grains, 12,500 ; one of six grains, 8,000 ; one of four grains 2,000 ; one of two grains, 200 Karshas of silver. 80 silver coins make one Pana. 20 Panas make one Karsha- pana. सर्वद्रव्याभेद्यं लध्वम्भसि तरति रश्मिवत् स्निग्धम् । तडिदनलशक्रचापोपमं च वज्रं हितायोक्तम् ॥१४॥

Adh. LXXX. Sl. 15-18.] अशीतितमोऽध्यायः 631 Sloka 14.—A diamond is said to be beneficial to the owner ; it cannot be pierced by any other substance, is light, cleaves through water like a ray, is glossy and similar to lightning, fire or the rain-bow. The commentator interprets “अम्भसि तरति रश्मिवत्” as sinks in water and is full of rays : but तरति generally means 'floats.’ काकपदमक्षिकाकेशधातुयुक्तानि शर्करैर्विद्धम् । द्विगुणाश्रि दग्धकलुषत्रस्तविशीर्णानि न शुभानि ॥१५॥ Sloka 15.—Diamonds that show scratches like crow- feet, bees or hair, are mixed with coloured mineral sub- stances or gravel, have double facets, are burnt, dis- coloured, lustreless or perforated, are inauspicious. यानि च बुद्बुददलिताग्रचिपिटवासीफलप्रदीर्घाणि । सर्वेषां चैतेषां मूल्याद्भागोऽष्टमो हानिः ॥१६॥ Sloka 16.—So also are those that are covered with bubbles, split at the points, flattened, or oblong like the Vasi fruit. The price of all such is one-eighth less than that above specified. वज्रं न किञ्चिदपि धारयितव्यमेके पुत्रार्थिनीभिरबलाभिरुशन्ति तज्ज्ञाः । शृङ्गाटकत्रिपुटधान्यकवत् स्थितं य- च्छ्रोणीनिभं च शुभदं तनयार्थिनीनाम् ॥१७॥ Sloka 17.—Some authorities opine that women wishing to beget sons should never wear diamonds ; but (in our opinion) diamonds that are triangular, trigonal and like the coriander seed, or the buttocks, are product- ive of good results to ladies desiring male offspring. स्वजनविभवजीवितक्षयं जनयति वज्रमनिष्टलक्षणम् । अशनेर्विषमयरिनाशनं शुभमुपभोगकरं च भूपताम् ॥१८॥

बृहत्संहितायाम् मुक्तालक्षणम् ॥८१॥ द्विपभुजगशुक्तिशङ्खाभ्रवेणुतिमिसूकरप्रसूतानि । मुक्ताफलानि तेषां बहुसाधु च शुक्तिजं भवति ॥१॥ सिंहलकपारलौकिकसौराष्ट्रकताम्रपर्णिपारशवाः । कौबेरपाण्ड्यवाटकहैमा इत्याकरास्त्वष्टौ ॥२॥ बहुसंस्थानाः स्निग्धा हंसाभाः सिंहलाकराः स्थूलाः । ईषत्ताम्राः श्वेतास्तमोवियुक्ताश्च ताम्राख्याः ॥३॥ कृष्णाः श्वेताः पीताः सशर्कराः पारलौकिका विषमाः । न स्थूला नात्यल्पा नवनीतनिभाश्च सौराष्ट्राः ॥४॥ ज्योतिष्मत्यः शुभ्रा गुरवोऽतिमहागुणाश्च पारशवाः । लघु जर्जरं दधिनिभं बृहद्विसंस्थानमपि हैमम् ॥५॥ विषमं कुंब्भश्वेतं लघु कौबेरं प्रमाणतेजोवत् । निम्बफलत्रिपुटधान्यकचूर्णाः स्युः पाण्ड्यवाटकभवाः ॥६॥

Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 7-12.] एकाशीतितमोऽध्यायः 633 Slokas 3-6.---The pearls got from Ceylon are multi- shaped, glossy, swan-white and large; those from the Tamraparni are white with a slight red tinge and bright; those from Paraloka are blackish, white or yellow, min- gled with gravel and uneven; those from Surashtra are neither too big, nor too small, and hued like butter; those from Persia are brilliant, clear, heavy and very valuable; those from the Himalayas are light, broken, hued like curds, large and double-shaped; those from the North country are rough, black or white, light, of good size and brilliancy: and those from Pandya Vata are like the neem fruit, or coriander seed, trigonal and very minute. अतसीकुसुमश्यामं वैष्णवमैन्द्रं शशाङ्कसङ्काशम् । हरितालनिभं वारुणमसितं यमदैवतं भवति ॥७॥ परिणतदाडिमगुलिकागुञ्जाताम्रं च वायुदैवत्यम् । निर्धूममानलकमलप्रभं च विज्ञेयमाग्नेयम् ॥८॥ Slokas 7-8—A pearl dark like the Atasee flower is presided over by Vishnu; one like the Moon, by Indra; one having the hue of orpiment, by Varuna; a dark one, by Yama; one red like the seed of a ripe pomegranate or a Gunja, by Vayu; one having the brilliance of smokeless fire or the lustre of lotus, by Fire. माषकचतुष्टयधृतस्यैकस्य शताहता त्रिपञ्चाशत् । . कार्षापणा निगदिता मूल्यं तेजोगुणयुतस्य ॥९॥ माषकदलहान्यातो द्वात्रिंशद्विंशतिस्त्रयोदश च । अष्टौ च शतानि शतत्रयं त्रिपञ्चाशता सहितम् ॥१०॥ पञ्चत्रिंशं शतमिति चत्वारः कृष्णला नवतिमूल्याः । सार्धास्तिस्रो गुञ्जाः सप्ततिमूल्यं धृतं रूपम् ॥११॥ गुञ्जात्रयस्य मूल्यं पञ्चाशद्रूपका गुणयुतस्य । • रूपकपञ्चत्रिंशत्त्रयस्य गुञ्जार्धहीनस्य ॥१२॥ बृ. सं 80.

634 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 13-17. Slokas 9-12.—The price set down for a pearl of good lustre and quality, weighing four Mashakas is 5300 Karshas silver. The prices for pearls weighing 3½, 3, 2½, 2 and 1½ Mashakas in order are 3200, 2000, 1300, 800 and 353 K. Silver. A pearl weighing one Mashaka is worth 135 K; one weighing four Rettis is worth90 K; one of 3½ Rettis, 70 K; a good one of 3 Rettis, 50 silver pieces (Karshas); one of 2½ Gunjas, 35 silver pieces. One Retti (Gunja Krishnala) = ⅕ Mashaka. पलदशभागो धरणं तद्यदि मुक्तास्त्रयोदश सुरूपाः । त्रिशती सपञ्चविंशा रूपकसं ख्या कृतं मूल्यम् ॥१३॥ षोडशकस्य द्विशती विंशतिरूपस्य सप्ततिः सशता । यत्पञ्चविंशतिधृतं तस्य शतं त्रिंशता सहितम् ॥१४॥ त्रिंशत्सप्ततिमूल्यं चत्वारिंशच्छतार्धमूल्यं च । षष्टिः पञ्चोना वा धरणं पञ्चाष्टकं मूल्यम् ॥१५॥ मुक्ताशीत्या त्रिंशच्छतस्य सा पञ्चरूपकविहीना । द्वित्रिचतुःपञ्चशता द्वादशषट्पञ्चकीत्रितयम् ॥१६॥ Slokas 13-16.—The 10th part of a Pala is called one Dharana. If thirteen good pearls together weigh one Dharana, their price is fixed at 325 K. Silver. Six- teen pearls weighing so much are worth 200 K; twenty pearls, 170 K; twenty-five pearls, 130 K; 30 pearls, 70 K; 40 pearls, 50 K.; 60 or 55 pearls, 40 K.; 80 pearls, 30 K.; 100 pearls, 25 K.; 200, 300, 400 and 500 pearls weighing together one Dharana are worth sucessively 12, 6, 5 and 3 silver pieces. Five Gunjas make one Masha; 16 Mashas make one Suvarna; 4 Suvarnas make one Pala. So a Dharana= ⅖ of a Suvarna. पिकापिच्छार्धार्धा रत्नकः सिक्थं त्रयोदशाद्यानाम् । सञ्ज्ञाः परतो निगराश्चूर्णाश्चाशीतिपूर्वाणाम् ॥१७॥

Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 18-22.] एकाशीतितमोऽध्यायः 635 Sloka 17.—The term to denote a collection of 13 pearls that together weigh one Dharana is Pikka ; a col- lection of 16 is known as Pichcha; those of 20, 25, 30, 40, 55, and 80 and so forth are respectively Argha, Ardha, Ravaka, Siktha, Nigara, and Churna (or dust). एतद्गुणयुक्तानां धरणधृतानां प्रकीर्तितं मूल्यम् । परिकल्प्यमन्तराले हीनगुणानां क्षयः कार्यः ॥१८॥ कृष्णश्वेतकपीतकताम्राणामीषदपि च विषमाणाम् । त्र्यंशोनं विषमकपीतयोश्च षड्भागदलहीनम् ॥१९॥ Slokas 18-19.—The above is the price fixed for the various collections of pearls of good quality, weighing one Dharana. The price of intermediate groups of pearls will have to be found out proportionately; but suitable reductions in the prices of inferior pearls are to be made as given below :—The price of pearls that are slightly black, white, yellowish or copper-hued or slightly uneven (rough), is that given above reduced by a third; whereas that of utterly rough and yellow pearls is less by a sixth and a half respectively. ऐरावतकुलजानां पुष्यश्रवणेन्दुसूर्यदिवसेषु । ये चोत्तरायणभवा ग्रहणेऽर्केन्द्वोश्च भद्रेभाः ॥२०॥ तेषां किल जायन्ते मुक्ताः कुम्भेषु सरदकोशेषु । बहवो बृहत्प्रमाणा बहुसंस्थानाः प्रभायुक्ताः ॥२१॥ नैषामर्षः कार्यो न च वेधोऽतीव ते प्रभायुक्ताः । सुतविजयारोग्यकरा महापवित्रा धृता राज्ञाम् ॥२२॥ Slokas 20-22.—It is said that pearls are produced in the heads and the places where the tusks meet, of the elephants of Airavata's family at the Moon's conjunction with Pushya and Sravana synchronous with a Sunday or

636 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 23-26. a Monday ; of the Bhadra (happy) elephants born during the Sun's Northern course, at an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon. These pearls are plentiful, large, brilliant and of various shapes. These are beyond any estimate and should not be perforated, being too brilliant. When worn by kings, they will prove highly sanctifying and bestow children, victory and good health. दंष्ट्रामूले शशिकान्तिसप्रभं च बहुगुणं वाराहम् । तिमिजं मत्स्याक्षिनिभं बृहत्पवित्रं बहुगुणं च ॥२३॥ Sloka 23.—Very valuable and lustrous like the Moon is the pearl born of the root of the boar's tusks ; the pearl got from whales resembles a fish's eye, is large, purifying and of great value. वर्षोपलवज्जातं वायुस्कन्धाच्च सप्तमाद्भ्रष्टम् । ह्रियते किल खाद्दिव्यैस्तडित्प्रभं मेघसम्भूतम् ॥२४॥ Sloka 24.—They say that pearl is produced in the clouds of the seventh layer of wind in the sky in the manner of hail-stones. It falls therefrom with the brilli- ance of lightning and is taken away by the denizens of heaven. The 7 layers of wind are : आवहः, प्रवहः, संवहः, उद्वहः, विवहः, परिवहः and परावहः. तक्षकवासुकिकुलजाः कामगमा ये च पन्नगास्तेषाम् । स्निग्धा नीलद्युतयो भवन्ति मुक्ताः फणस्यान्ते ॥२५॥ शस्तेऽवनिप्रदेशे रजतमये भाजने स्थिते च यदि । वर्षति देवोऽकस्मात्तज्ज्ञेयं नागसम्भूतम् ॥२६॥ Slokas 25-26.—The snakes of the lineage of Taksha and Vasuki and those that move at will, have bright, blue-tinged pearls on their hoods. If Indra suddenly

Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 27-30 ] एकाशीतितमोऽध्यायः 637 rains on a blessed spot of the earth and into a silver one may understand it to be a pearl coming from the vessel, snakes. अपहरति विषमलक्ष्मीं क्षपयति शत्रून् यशो विकासयति । भौजङ्गं नृपतीनां धृतमकृतार्थं विजयदं च ॥२७॥ Sloka 27.—A pearl born of the snakes, worn by kings will prove invaluable to them, destroy their mis- fortune and enemies, enhance their reputation and bes- tow victory. कर्पूरस्फटिकनिभं चिपिटं विषमं च वेणुजं ज्ञेयम् । शङ्खोद्भवं शशिनिभं वृत्तं भ्राजिष्णु रुचिरं च ॥२८॥ Sloka 28.—A pearl is to be known to have sprung from bamboo by its resembling camphor or crystal, and by its being flat and rough. The pearl born of conch shell is round, lustrous, beautiful and moon-like. शङ्खतिमिवेणुवारणवराहभुजगाभ्रजान्यवेद्या(ध्या)नि । अमितगुणत्वाच्चैषामर्घः शास्त्रे न निर्दिष्टः ॥२९॥ Sloka 29.—The pearls got from conch-shells, whales, bamboos, elephants, boars, snakes and clouds cannot be easily recognised (should not be perforated) ; and as they are of immense value, no price has been fixed upon them by the authorities एतानि सर्वाणि महागुणानि सुतार्थसौभाग्ययशस्कराणि । रुक्शोकहन्तॄणि च पार्थिवानां मुक्ताफलानीप्सितकामदानि ॥३०॥ Sloka 30.—All the above categories of pearls are extremely valuable ; they bestow on kings, sons, wealth, popularity, renown and desired objects and dispel diseases and grief.

638 : बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXI. Sl. 31-36. सुरभूषणं लतानां सहस्रमष्टोत्तरं चतुर्हस्तम् । इन्दुच्छन्दो नाम्ना विजयच्छन्दस्तदर्धेन ॥३१॥ शतमष्टयुतं हारो देवच्छन्दो ह्यशीतिरेकयुता । अष्टाष्टकोऽर्धहारो रश्मिकलापश्च नवषट्कः ॥३२॥ द्वात्रिंशता तु गुच्छो विंशत्या कीर्तितोऽर्धगुच्छाख्यः । षोडशभिर्माणवको द्वादशभिश्चार्धमाणवकः ॥३३॥ मन्दरसंज्ञोऽष्टाभिः पञ्चलता हारफलकमित्युक्तम् । सप्तविंशतिमुक्ता हस्तो नक्षत्रमालेति ॥३४॥ अन्तरमणिसंयुक्ता मणिसोपानं सुवर्णगुलिकैर्वा । तरलकमणिमध्यं तद्विज्ञेयं चाटुकारमिति ॥३५॥ एकावली नाम यथेष्टसंख्या हस्तप्रमाणा मणिविप्रयुक्ता । संयोजिता या मणिना तु मध्ये यष्टीति सा भूषणविद्भिरुक्ता ॥३६॥ Slokas 31-36.—A pearl-necklace composed of 1008 strings and four cubits long, is used as an ornament for Gods and is termed "Induchchanda". Half the above (i.e, 504 strings and 2 cubits) is termed 'Vijayachchanda'. A necklace of 108 strings and 2 cubits long is called "Hara"; one of 81, "Devachchanda"; one of 64, "Ardha Hara"; one of 54, "Rasmikalapa"; one of 32, "Guchcha"; one of 20, "Ardha Guchcha"; one of 16, "Manavaka"; one of 12, "Ardha Manavaka"; one of 8, "Mandara"; one of 5 strings, "Haraphalaka".. A necklace of 27 pearls and of one cubit's length is called "Nakshatramala" (a cluster of stars); the same is called "Mani Sopana" if it has other gems or gold beads inserted; it is called "Chatukara" (coaxer), when it has a central gem set in gold. An Ekavali (single string) containing any number of pearls, measures one cubit and is devoid of other gems; but when it is adorned

Adh. LXXXII. Sl. 1-4.] द्व्यशीतितमोऽध्यायः 639 with a gem in the middle, it is designated as a "Yashti' (stick) by the examiners of ornaments. Thus ends the 81st Adhyaya on "Signs of Pearls". पद्मरागलक्षणम् ॥८२॥ Signs of Rubies. सौगन्धिककुरुविन्दस्फटिकेभ्यः पद्मरागसम्भूतिः । सौगन्धिकजा भ्रमराञ्जनाब्जजम्बूरसद्युतयः ॥१॥ कुरुविन्दभवाः शबला मन्दद्युतयश्च धातुभिर्विद्धाः । स्फटिकभवा द्युतिमन्तो नानावर्णा विशुद्धाश्च ॥२॥ Slokas 1-2.—Rubies are born of sulphur, Kuruvinda and crystal. Those produced from sulphur show the lustre of bees, antimony, lily, rose-apple or Rasa (myrrh). Those that arise from Kuruvinda are grey, of pale lustre and mixed with mineral substances; those coming from crystal are lustrous, multi-coloured and pure. स्निग्धः प्रभानुलेपी स्वच्छोऽर्चिष्मान् गुरुः सुसंस्थानः । अन्तःप्रभोऽतिरागो मणिरत्नगुणाः समस्तानाम् ॥३॥ Sloka 3.—Smooth, illuminating with rays, very pure, sparkling, heavy, of good shape, brilliant within and bright-red—such are the good qualities of these precious stones in general. कलुषा मन्दद्युतयो लेखाकीर्णाः सधातवः खण्डाः । दुर्विद्धा न मनोज्ञाः सशर्कराश्चेति मणिदोषाः ॥४॥ Sloka 4.—Stones are defective, if they are impure, of dull lustre, full of scratches, mixed with mineral sub- stances, broken, ill-perforated, not attractive and mixed with gravel.

640 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXII. Sl. 5-11. भ्रमरशिखिकण्ठवर्णो दीपशिखासप्रभो भुजङ्गानाम् । भवति मणिः किल मूर्धनि योऽनर्घेयः स विज्ञेयः ॥५॥ Sloka 5.—They affirm that on the head of snakes there is a gem, hued like a bee or peacock's tail, and shining like the flame of a lamp. Such a one is to be known as of inestimable value. यस्तं बिभर्ति मनुजाधिपतिर्न तस्य दोषा भवन्ति विषरोगकृताः कदाचित् । राष्ट्रे च नित्यमभिवर्षति तस्य देवः शत्रूंश्च नाशयति तस्य मणेः प्रभावात् ॥६॥ Sloka 6.—A king wearing such a snake-gem will never be subjected to the sufferings arising from poison and disease; Indra will always be pouring rain in his realm; and by the power of the gem, the king will ex- tirpate his enemies. षड्विंशतिः सहस्राण्येकस्य मणेः पलप्रमाणस्य । कर्षत्रयस्य विंशतिरूपदिष्टा पद्मरागस्य ॥७॥ अर्धपलस्य द्वादश कर्षस्यैकस्य षट्सहस्राणि । यच्चाष्टमाषकधृतं तस्य सहस्रत्रयं मूल्यम् ॥८॥ माषकचतुष्टयं दशशतक्रयं द्वौ तु पञ्चशतमूल्यौ । परिकल्प्यमन्तराले मूल्यं हीनाधिकगुणानाम् ॥९॥ वर्णन्यूनस्यार्धं तेजोहीनस्य मूल्यमष्टांशम् । अल्पगुणो बहुदोषो मूल्यात् प्राप्नोति विंशांशम् ॥१०॥ आधूम्रं व्रणबहुलं स्वल्पगुणं चाप्नुयाद्द्विशतभागम् । इति पद्मरागमूल्यं पूर्वाचार्यैः समुद्दिष्टम् ॥११॥ Slokas 7-11.—The price of a single ruby weighing a Pala (=4 Karshas) is, we are taught, 26,000 silver

Adh. LXXXIII. Sl. 1.] त्र्यशीतितमोऽध्यायः 641 pieces (i. e., Karsha panas); one of three Karshas is worth 20,000 pieces silver ; one of half a Pala, 12,000 pieces sil- ver; one of one Karsha, 6,000 pieces silver; one of eight Retties, 3,000 pieces silver; one of four Retties, 1,000 pieces silver; one of two Retties, 500 pieces silver. The price of rubies of intermediate weight must be calculated proportionally, and with due regard to their being of inferior or superior quality. A stone deficient in colour fetches half the usual price; one lacking brilliance, an eighth part; one with few good and many bad qualities fetches 1/20th of the standard price. A stone somewhat dusky, with many scratches and few good features will fetch 1/200. Such is the price of rubies as stated by the ancient seers. Thus ends the 82nd Adhyaya on "Signs of Rubies." मरकतलक्षणम् ॥८३॥ Signs of Emeralds. शुकवंशपत्रकदलीशिरीषकुसुमप्रभं गुणोपेतम्। सुरपितृकार्ये मरकतमतीव शुभदं नृणां विहितम् ॥१॥ Sloka 1.—An emerald of the hue of parrots, bam- boo-leaves, plantain tree (greyish-yellow) or Sirisha- blossom (whitish-yellow) and of good qualities is ex- tremely beneficial to every man when worn at ceremo- nies in honour of Gods and the Manes. Thus ends the 83rd Adhyaya on "Signs of Emeralds." दीपलक्षणम् ॥८४॥ Signs of Lamps. वामावर्त्तो मलिनकिरणः सस्फुलिङ्गोऽल्पमूर्तिः क्षिप्रं नाशं व्रजति विमलस्नेहवर्त्यन्वितोऽपि । बृ. सं 81.

642 बृहत्संहितायाम् [LXXXIV. 1-2., LXXXV. 1. दीपः पापं कथयति फलं शब्दवान् वेपनश्च व्याकीर्णार्चिर्विशलभमरुद्यश्च नाशं प्रयाति ॥१॥ Sloka 1.—A lamp, whose flame is turned leftwards, shows dull rays, sputters sparks, is of little bulk, goes out soon, although furnished with pure oil and wick, crackles, quivers, is diffused and gets extinguished without the agency of grasshoppers or wind. दीपः संहतमूर्त्तिरायततनुर्निर्वेपनो दीप्तिमा- निःशब्दो रुचिरः प्रदक्षिणगतिर्वैदूर्यहेमद्युतिः । लक्ष्मीं क्षिप्रमभिव्यनक्ति सुचिरं यश्चोद्यतं दीप्यते शेषं लक्षणमग्निलक्षणसमं योज्यं यथायुक्तितः ॥२॥ Sloka 2.—A light of compact form, long-sized, quiet, brilliant, noiseless, beautiful, turned to the right, of the lustre of beryl or gold, reveals immediate influx of wealth ; so does one that shines long and brilliant. The other symptoms are similar to those of fire (vide Adhyaya XLIII, Slokas 32, 33 and 35 supra.) and apply to this mutatis mutandis. Thus ends the 84th Adhyaya on "the Signs of Lamps". दन्तकाष्ठलक्षणम् । ८५॥ Tokens of Tooth-Sticks. वल्लीलतागुल्मतरुप्रभेदैः स्युर्दन्तकाष्ठानि सहस्रशो यैः । फलानि वाच्यान्यथ तत्प्रसङ्गो मा भूदतो वच्म्यथ कामिकानि ॥ Sloka 1.—Sticks for cleansing the teeth may be made from thousands of varieties of creepers, spreading plants, shrubs and trees, and their effects may be ex- pounded ; but in order not to indulge in much prolixity, I shall only delineate those of favourable consequences

Adh. LXXXV. Sl. 2-5] पञ्चाशीतितमोऽध्यायः 643 अज्ञातपूर्वाणि न दन्तकाष्ठान्यद्यान्न पत्त्रैश्च समन्वितानि । न युग्मपर्वाणि न पाटितानि न चोर्ध्वशुष्काणि विना त्वचा च ॥२॥ Sloka 2.—One ought not to use the following tooth sticks : those that have not been tried so far; those that have leaves; those that have an even number of joints ; those that are split; those that are withered at the top ; and those that are without bark. वैकङ्कतश्रीफलकाश्मरीषु ब्राह्मी द्युतिः क्षेमतरौ सुदाराः । वृद्धिर्वटेऽर्के प्रचुरं च तेजः पुत्रा मधूके सगुणाः प्रियत्वम् ॥३॥ Sloka 3.—Vaikankata, Bilwa and Kasmari being used as tooth-sticks tend to Brahminical splendour ; the Kshema tree (milky tree ?) bestows a good wife; the banyan tree, prosperity ; Arka, great brilliance ; Madhuka virtuous sons and popularity. ककुभे is another reading for सगुणाः लक्ष्मीः शिरीषे च तथा करञ्जे प्लक्षेऽर्थसिद्धिः समभीप्सिता स्यात् । मान्यत्वमायाति जनस्य जात्यां प्राधान्यमश्वत्थतरौ वदन्ति ॥४॥ Sloka 4.—Fortune is ensured by the use of Sirisha and Karanja ; acquisition of abundant wealth wished for, by the Indian fig tree. By the use of the jasmine wood, man acquires honour and respect; and by the sacred tree (Aswattha) it is said, one comes to prominence, आरोग्यमायुर्बदरीबृहत्योरैश्वर्यवृद्धिः खदिरे सबिल्वे । द्रव्याणि चेष्टान्यतिमुक्तके स्युः प्राप्नोति तान्येव पुनः कदम्बे ॥५॥ Sloka 5.—Good health and long life may be ex- pected from Jujube and Brihati ; increase of wealth (or lordship) from Khadira and Bilwa (or authority and pro- fit from Khadira and Bilwa); desired objects from

644 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXV. Sl. 6-9. Atimuktaka (a kind of Jesamine); and the same from Kadamba. नीपेऽर्थाप्तिः करवीरे ऽन्नलब्धिर्भाण्डीरे स्यादन्नमेवं प्रभूतम् । शम्यां शत्रूनपहन्त्यर्जुने च श्यामायां च द्विषतामेव नाशः ॥६॥ Sloka 6.—From Nipa one may expect acquisition of wealth; from Karavira, eating of good food; from Bhandira tree, a sumptuous feast. Sami and Arjuna destroy one's enemies; Syama too brings about the annihilation of one's foes. शालेऽश्वकर्णे च वदन्ति गौरवं सभद्रदारावपि चाटरूषके । वाल्लभ्यमायाति जनस्य सर्वतः प्रियङ्गपामार्गसजम्बुदाडिमैः ॥७॥ Sloka 7.—Dignity, they say, will result from the use of Sala and Aswakarna, as well as of Deodar and Vasaka. By using the twigs of Priyangu, Apamarga (உத்தரணை), Jambu and pomegranate, one becomes the favourite of every body. उदङ्मुखः प्राङ्मुख एव वाब्दं कामं यथेष्टं हृदये निवेश्य । अद्यादानिन्दन् च सुखोपविष्टः प्रक्षाल्य जह्याच्च शुचिप्रदेशे ॥८॥ Sloka 8.—One should after cherishing in the heart, any desire whatsoever for the coming year, use a good tooth-stick, sitting at ease, facing the north or the east without any resentment; and then after washing it, he should leave it in a clean place. अभिमुखपतितं प्रशान्तदिक्स्थं शुभमतिशोभनमूर्ध्वसंस्थितं यत् । अशुभकरमतोऽन्यथा प्रदिष्टं स्थितपतितं च करोति मृष्टमन्नम् ॥९॥ Sloka 9.—Auspicious is a tooth-stick that falls, when thrown away, towards the user and in a tranquil (unscorched) direction; it is especially good, if it occu-

Adh. LXXXVI. Sl. 1-4.] षडशीतितमोऽध्यायः 645 pies an elevated place. One contrary to the above is declared to be inauspicious; whereas one that falls down after standing erect for awhile, brings sumptuous food. Thus ends the 85th Adhyaya on " Tokens of Tooth-sticks ". शाकुनम् ॥८६॥ Omens through Birds and Beasts. यच्छक्रशुक्रवागीशकपिष्ठलगरुत्मताम् । मतेभ्यः प्राह ऋषभो भागुरेर्देवलस्य च ॥१॥ भारद्वाजमतं दृष्ट्वा यच्च श्रीद्रव्यवर्धनः । आवन्तिकः प्राह नृपो महाराजाधिराजकः ॥२॥ सप्तर्षीणां मतं यच्च संस्कृतं प्राकृतं च यत् । यानि चोक्तानि गर्गाद्यैर्यात्राकारैश्च भूरिभिः ॥३॥ तानि दृष्ट्वा चकोरमं सर्वशाकुनसङ्ग्रहम् । वराहमिहिरः प्रीत्या शिष्याणां ज्ञानमुत्तमम् ॥४॥ Slokas 1-4.―For the delectation of his disciples has Varahamihira written this science, the source of super knowledge abridging all the existing works on this science of Omens, having read the works of Rishabha who incor- porated in his work the teachings of Indra, Sukra, Briha- spati, Sage Kapisthala and Garuda, of Bhaguri, of Devala, of the blessed king Dravyavardhana, ruler of Avanti, and born of the family of great emperors who followed the work of Sage Bharadwaja, of the seven Seers, of Garga and other sages, of several authors on the subject of 'Journey' and other works in Sanskrit and Prakrit. .. Who is this king Sri Dravyavardhana ? Was he a descend- ant of Harsha Vardhana ? Was he a Buddhist ? Was Avanti

646 बृहत्संहितायाम् [Adh. LXXXVI. Sl. 5-7. included in the Kingdom of Magadha? For, the Commentator says that Varahamihira was a Magadha Brahmana. शाकुन is the adjectival form of शकुन = Omen. This शकुन is based upon the word शकुनि, a bird. This chapter should not be confounded with the one on “Portents.” अन्यजन्मान्तरकृतं कर्म पुंसां शुभाशुभम् । यत्तत्तस्यशकुनः पाकं निवेदयतिगच्छताम् ॥५॥ Sloka 5.—During a man's journey, an omen reveals the fruition of his deeds, good and bad, done in a pre- vious birth. This shows that the omens are not superstitious beliefs. They indicate one’s belief in the rebirth of the soul and thus reveal effects of past deeds, good or bad. ग्राम्यारण्याम्बुभूव्योमद्युनिशोभयचारिणः । रुतयातेक्षितोक्तेषु ग्राह्याः पुंस्त्रीनपुंसकाः ॥६॥ Sloka 6.— Omens are of various kinds, as those through beings that are rural, wild, aquatic, terrestrial, heavenly, diurnal, nocturnal and diurnal-nocturnal. The sex of the creatures is to be determined from their cry, gait, look and speech. Rural beings are men, horses, elephants and dogs; wild ones, lions, tigers, boars, deer, etc.; aquatic ones, swans and the like; terrestrial ones, dogs and the like, mangooses, serpents, etc. For the explanation of diurnal, etc., cf. Chap. 88 infra. According to the Commentator when there is a doubt as to whether a certain bird crying is male, female or eunuch, it is to be guessed from the sex of a person talking near by. पृथग्जात्यनवस्थानादेषां व्यक्तिर्न लक्ष्यते । सामान्यलक्षणोद्देशे श्लोकावृषिकृताबिमौ ॥७॥ Sloka 7.—Since it is very difficult to distinguish their sex owing to the multiplicity of their genera and the