historical context enhances beauty of sacred texts- on parahsra vyaasa

[Guest guest]

|| Om Gurave Namah ||

 

Namaste Steve,

 

Shakti's Son was Parashara Muni, Parashara's Son was Krishna

Dwaipayana Vyasa. This informations is given in all Puranas and Also

in the start of Vishnu Sahasranama begining stanza mentions this.

(Vishnu Sahasranama is sung regularly in many houses and temples,

Since time of Beeshma)

 

Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa was the 'Veda vyasa' for this yuga.

 

Veda Vyasa is the title given to person who compiles and brings

together all knowledge together in a coherent way.

 

Every Yuga gets an incarnation of Veda Vyasa. A Veda Vyasa is partial

incarnation of Vishnu. This yuga's Veda Vyasa is Krishna

Dwaipayana(Lit. Born in an Island) is the Veda Vyasa for this Yuga

and form of Vishnu ('Vishnu roopaya Vyaasave' is mentioned in Vishnu

Sahasranama' Song)

 

The Veda Vyasa of Previous Era (Yuga) was Parashara. He is also

partial incarnation of Vishnu due to this. Parashara compiler Vishnu

Purana is previsous Era. Parashara's student is Maitreya.

 

 

>Do

> you think that changes or additions have taken place over time to the

> original text?

>

 

No, If not impossible, Atleast it's very difficult. If you Note,

complete Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra is coded in Anushtup Chandas.

All texts usually follow the chandas(metre), Anushtup Chandas in

particular is formed of 4 Padas Shlokas, 2 halfs with 2 pada in each half.

 

Anushtup: The Total number of Aksharas (Phonemes) in each stanza

should be exactly. 32 Phonemes. And each half should be 16

Phonemes.16+16 =32. It's 8x4(pada) = 32 phonemes.

 

Mostly they should follow Chandas and should be of particularly

Anushtup Chandas (The same is used in Bhagavat Geeta for most stanzas).

 

So in short, Any corruption will be easily spotted in Chandas, A

person can of course introduce corruption with Chandas. But the text

is scattered in many schools if one school corrupts the other school

would usually show up the difference. Also it would be very highly

unlikely that a person would try to corrupt a Maharishi's word. If any

other person does has a difference of opinion it that person would

likely write another Book. So I think corruption to BPHS could be

minimal.

 

Warm Regards

Sanjay P

[Guest guest]

Steven wrote:

Do you think that changes or additions have taken place over time to the original text?

sanjaypabhakaran wrote:

 

No, If not impossible, Atleast it's very difficult. If you Note,

complete Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra is coded in Anushtup Chandas.

All texts usually follow the chandas(metre), Anushtup Chandas in

particular is formed of 4 Padas Shlokas, 2 halfs with 2 pada in each half.

Anushtup: The Total number of Aksharas (Phonemes) in each stanza

should be exactly. 32 Phonemes. And each half should be 16

Phonemes.16+16 =32. It's 8x4(pada) = 32 phonemes.

Mostly they should follow Chandas and should be of particularly

Anushtup Chandas (The same is used in Bhagavat Geeta for most stanzas).

So in short, Any corruption will be easily spotted in Chandas, A

person can of course introduce corruption with Chandas. But the text

is scattered in many schools if one school corrupts the other school

would usually show up the difference. Also it would be very highly

unlikely that a person would try to corrupt a Maharishi's word. If any

other person does has a difference of opinion it that person would

likely write another Book. So I think corruption to BPHS could be

minimal.

Dear Sanjay,

Thank you very much for your answer on this--this type of information is

somewhat out of reach for the normal westerner.

The idea that a corruption or change in one school would easily be seen

in another is a highly valuable piece of information. It also seems common

sense that no would want to tamper with the such a work, out of reverence

for the great Sage.

Can Anushtup Chandas be dated to a particular time in history? Since it was

also used in the Bhagavad Gita, was it normally reserved for texts believed to

be of divine origins or having a poetic meter?

Best wishes,

Steve

[Guest guest]

|| Om Gurave Namah ||

 

Dear Steve,

 

> Can Anushtup Chandas be dated to a particular time in history?

Since it

 

Sanjay P: I really dont know anything about dating under modern

context. For me it's all relative to 'some person' or 'event' in

history for certain ambiguos events. Like example Vyasa was born after

Parashara. Rama was before Mahabharata, X was student of Y etc etc

 

Regarding Chandas, Please refer some good texts on Chandas to get more

understanding. A Very brief introduction is given by Varahamihira in

his Brihat Samhita.

 

Veda consists of Veda Anga.

Chandas is a Veda Anga, In other words a limb(Anga) of Veda. There are

6 Vedangas namely,

 

1. Chandas(Metre, consist of pada(steps) etc)

2. Shiksha(Articulation of sounds and origin of sounds for mantra)

3. Vyakarana(Grammar)

4. Nirukta(Origin of sounds and analysis of meanings)

[Above 4 is needed to understand Mantra shastra]

5. Jyotish (Consists of Ganita(Math), Gola(geometry),

Samhita(physignomy, nature reading(shakuna, nimitta) etc), Hora(Time

measurements))

6. Kalpa, Literally means creation or imagination. word Kalpana to

imagine comes from this. Brahma is called Kalpa. This section consists

of various kinds of sacrifices Yagya involved in creation, Both

internal (body/belly), external etc.

 

To Learn Veda's, Vedanga(Veda-Limbs) knowledge or atleast

introduction to above 6 was needed.

 

Hopefully this helps you in relative dating.

 

(As a side point, Please note that Upanishads (Like Ref: Mundaka or

Bhagavata Geeta etc) says Vedas are just for mundane like, A truly

spiritual person goes beyond all Vedas. Upanishads are conclusions,

summary of all learnings)

 

 

Warm Regards

Sanjay P

[Guest guest]

Dear Sanjay,

 

Thank you for your helpful hints on this matter.

 

Best wishes,

 

Steve

 

>

>

>

>

>Sanjay P: I really dont know anything about dating under modern

>context. For me it's all relative to 'some person' or 'event' in

>history for certain ambiguos events. Like example Vyasa was born after

>Parashara. Rama was before Mahabharata, X was student of Y etc etc

>

>Regarding Chandas, Please refer some good texts on Chandas to get more

>understanding. A Very brief introduction is given by Varahamihira in

>his Brihat Samhita.

>

>Veda consists of Veda Anga.

>Chandas is a Veda Anga, In other words a limb(Anga) of Veda. There are

>6 Vedangas namely,

>

>1. Chandas(Metre, consist of pada(steps) etc)

>2. Shiksha(Articulation of sounds and origin of sounds for mantra)

>3. Vyakarana(Grammar)

>4. Nirukta(Origin of sounds and analysis of meanings)

> [Above 4 is needed to understand Mantra shastra]

>5. Jyotish (Consists of Ganita(Math), Gola(geometry),

>Samhita(physignomy, nature reading(shakuna, nimitta) etc), Hora(Time

>measurements))

>6. Kalpa, Literally means creation or imagination. word Kalpana to

>imagine comes from this. Brahma is called Kalpa. This section consists

>of various kinds of sacrifices Yagya involved in creation, Both

>internal (body/belly), external etc.

>

>To Learn Veda's, Vedanga(Veda-Limbs) knowledge or atleast

>introduction to above 6 was needed.

>

>Hopefully this helps you in relative dating.

>

>(As a side point, Please note that Upanishads (Like Ref: Mundaka or

>Bhagavata Geeta etc) says Vedas are just for mundane like, A truly

>spiritual person goes beyond all Vedas. Upanishads are conclusions,

>summary of all learnings)

>

>

>Warm Regards

>Sanjay P

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

|| Om gurave Namah ||

 

Namaste Steve,

 

Divisional charts are used in Jyotish, In divisional charts Mercury

and Venus can also be 7th house from Sun. In Rashi chart it can only

be 2 houses away.

 

This fact is interpretted philosophically, That the lower most

Chakras ruled by Venus (Jala tatwa, Swadishtana) and Mercury (Pritvi

tatwa, Mooldhara) are more tamasic on Rashi level. Planets further

from sun are more powerful. Kundali(Horoscope) also indicates

Kundalini (One Reference: Hora Ratnam/Balabhadra)

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Warm Regards

Sanjay P

 

 

valist, Steven Stuckey <steven@l...> wrote:

>

>

> Dr. Gurudatta Dash wrote:

>

> > Dear Sri Steven,

> >

> >

> >

> > As you have pointed out the exact date of the present

> > Parashara Hora may never be known. But we can have some

> > deduction considering the various aspects of the matters

> > contained in the text itself.

> >

> >

> >

> > First of all I want to impress on you the fact that the normal

> > traditional astrologers of India are more interested in

> > mastering the subject than finding the historical evidence of

> > the Sastra just as we physicians are more interested in the

> > mastering the science of medicine and its historical

> > significance only comes to us secondarily.

> >

>

>

> Dear Dr. Dash,

>

>

> Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions in such a

> learned fashion--I do appreciate it.

>

> Regarding your point above, that traditional astrologers in India are

> more interested in astrology itself, rather than it's history--I can

> certainly agree that no amount of historical evidence will help one

make

> a proper judgment on a horoscope, since only practical application of

> principles will prove the efficacy of any particular technique. As part

> of a well rounded education on any subject however, I don't think you

> would disagree that knowledge of it's history has an important place.

>

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > Let us take this verse from VraahaMihira where he gives his

> > opinion after giving some combinations astronomically

> > impossible, for example Sun and mercury separated by 4 houses.

> >

> >

> >

> > PURBASAASTRAANUSAARENA MAYAA BAJRAADYAA KRUTAH.

> >

> > CATURTHA BHABANE SUROJNYOSIAU BHABATAH KATHAM:

> >

> >

> >

> > He says:

> >

> >

> >

> > I have given these Vajra Yoga etc. in accordance with the

> > ancient sciences , but how can Budha ( mercury ) and Sukra (

> > Venus) be in 4th house from Surya (Sun) .?

> >

> >

> >

> > Commenting on theses verses it is said that at the time of

> > Maharshis who originally gave the Yoga , it was possible

> > because of astronomical reasons and now it is not possible

> > because of constantly shifting positions of planets and Sun.

> > over the time.If it were so then that age must be very very

> > ancient and that, VraahaMihira accepts the combination ,

> > gives importance to it also saying that now it is not possible

> > proves his acceptance of a very ancient origin of the system

> > of astrology.

> >

>

>

> The interpretation of the above verse points out an important

difference

> between an eastern and western approach to astrology. Because of the

> link between Jyotish and the Vedas and great sages of Divine origins

> (implying infallibility), apparently contradictory statements such as

> the above may only be interpreted in one way i.e this must point to an

> origin of great antiquity or some other explanation, rather than to an

> error of judgment on the part of the author.

> The proper, and if you will, Brahminical approach to such an anomaly

> might be to withhold judgment on the matter, allowing for one's lack of

> inner discernment while upholding the view that because it was

stated by

> the Maharishis, it must therefore be true. To imply that the statement

> is patently false and the author has made a mistake may be

tantamount to

> blasphemy.

> This idea may also carry over when testing other astrological

principles

> laid down by great sages--if one applies a technique and it doesn't

> appear to work, blame would be attached to the astrologers personal

> shortcomings and lack of proper judgment, rather than discrediting the

> particular authority.

>

> Personally, since the above verse is such an apparent gross

> mis-statement, I am more inclined to agree with Varaha Mihira, and

> therefore your point is well taken, that it could point to a time of

> ancient origins or another unknown explanation.

>

> In my youth, I lived for a number of years in ashram life as a

> brahmacharya, following prescribed rules, rising early, deity worship,

> study of the Vedas, etc.

> and therefore can appreciate this perspective.

> We are admonished in a number of texts, that astrology is a

Brahminical

> science only. This makes sense also, in that proper behavior and habits

> for an astrologer may be conducive for good discrimination and

> development of right intuition.

> However I am also aware of the potential for the other side of the

coin

> to be expressed. Swami Yukteswar has stated that 'pride of pedigree'

> is one of the 'eight meannesses of the heart'. This idea would

obviously

> include pride of one's nationality, caste etc. I think we all need

to be

> vigilant that this type of pettiness does not enter into our personal

> viewpoint.

>

>

>

> I would like to follow up on your many remaining comments as time

> permits--thank you again for taking the time from what I must assume is

> a very busy schedule to address these questions in such a scholarly

manner

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Steve

>

>

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

sanjayprabhakaran wrote:

 

>|| Om gurave Namah ||

>

>Namaste Steve,

>

> Divisional charts are used in Jyotish, In divisional charts Mercury

>and Venus can also be 7th house from Sun. In Rashi chart it can only

>be 2 houses away.

>

 

 

Dear Sanjay,

 

I thought of this as well, that it may be connected to an interpretation

of a varga division. Thank you for mentioning it.

Is this interpretation considered somewhat 'heretical'?

 

 

>

> This fact is interpretted philosophically, That the lower most

>Chakras ruled by Venus (Jala tatwa, Swadishtana) and Mercury (Pritvi

>tatwa, Mooldhara) are more tamasic on Rashi level. Planets further

>from sun are more powerful. Kundali(Horoscope) also indicates

>Kundalini (One Reference: Hora Ratnam/Balabhadra)

>

 

 

Could you elaborate more on this subject--for instance the rulership of

the remaining chakras.

 

 

Best wishes,

 

 

Steve

 

 

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

|| Om Gurave Namah ||

Namaste,

I was taught to use Divisional charts and I use them extensively. In

fact predictions cannot be made without divisional charts. My Guru

uses them, Also I have seen some of my native place (Sri Rangam, TN)

Jyotishas use it too.

Maharishi PArashara gives tatwa governed by each planets and 5 lower

chakra are mapped to corresponding tatwa of chakras. plus 2 higher

chakras i.e Sahasra and Angya. Giving 7 Grahas. Rahu and Ketu are not

given any ownership and they represent the coil of maya. Ketu most

agree rules the Kundalini Shakti. These are internal interpretation of

Horoscope.

The external interpretation to 7 Above Lokas and 7 Below Lokas is also

done on the division of zodiac into two, from aries 10th degree to

Libra 10th degree. Similar such philosophical categorization is also

done based on 5 Koshas of the body and 5 level of Divisionals.

 

Warm Regards

Sanjay P

 

valist, Steven Stuckey <steven@l...> wrote:

>

>

> sanjayprabhakaran wrote:

>

> >|| Om gurave Namah ||

> >

> >Namaste Steve,

> >

> > Divisional charts are used in Jyotish, In divisional charts Mercury

> >and Venus can also be 7th house from Sun. In Rashi chart it can only

> >be 2 houses away.

> >

>

>

> Dear Sanjay,

>

> I thought of this as well, that it may be connected to an

interpretation

> of a varga division. Thank you for mentioning it.

> Is this interpretation considered somewhat 'heretical'?

>

>

> >

> > This fact is interpretted philosophically, That the lower most

> >Chakras ruled by Venus (Jala tatwa, Swadishtana) and Mercury (Pritvi

> >tatwa, Mooldhara) are more tamasic on Rashi level. Planets further

> >from sun are more powerful. Kundali(Horoscope) also indicates

> >Kundalini (One Reference: Hora Ratnam/Balabhadra)

> >

>

>

> Could you elaborate more on this subject--for instance the rulership of

> the remaining chakras.

>

>

> Best wishes,

>

>

> Steve

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >