Meshad and Makardi etc. in 11th century India!

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CHAPTER XXXVII

 

 

 

 

 

As the year is one revolution of the sun in tbe

ecliptic, it is dividpd in he Same way as the ec:iptic. The latter is divided

into two halves, depending upon the two solstititial points. Correspondingly

the year is divided into two halves, each of which is called Ayana

When the sun leaves the

point of the winter solstice, he begins to move towards the north pole.

Therefore this part of the year, which is nearly one half, is referred

to the north a.nd called nttardvana, i.e. the period of the sun's

marching through six zodiacal signs beginning with Capo'. In

consequence, this half of the ecliptic is called makaradi, i.e. having caper

as beginning.

I'hen the SUN leaves the

point of the summer solstice he begins to move towards the south pole;

therefore this second half is refwrred to the south and called dakshinayana.

the period of the sun’s marching through six zodiacal signs beginning

with Cancer. In consequence, this half of the ecliptic is called

Dakshinayana, i.e having Cancer as the beginning.

Uneducated people use only

these two divisions or year-halves'., because the matter of the two solstices

is clear to them from the observation of their senses.

Further, the ecliptic is

divided into two halves, ac­cording to its declination from the equator,

and this divi-sioon is a more scientific one, less known to the people at

large than the former. because it rests on calculations and not speculation.

Each half is called kula. (Gola)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ON THE PARTS OF THE MONTH AND THE YEAR

 

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That which is has northern

declination is called

Uttarakal (Uttara-gola) or

Meshadi i.e. having

Aries as beginning

That which has southern

declination is called

dakshinagolaor tuladi i.e.

having Tula as beginning……

..Accordoingly, the zodiacal

signs are distributed over the seasons.

However, the Hindus do not

divide the year into four but into six parts and call these parts ritus.

Each ritu comprehends two solar

months, i.e. the period of the sun’s marching through two consecutive

zodiacal signs.

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From Aleburini’s India,

translated by Edward C. Sachau.

 

Alberuni traveled through most of India in eleventh

century AD. All the festivals were, as quoted above, celebrated as per

the so called sayana Mesha etc. rashis. Meshadi was the day of Vernal

Equinox and Makaradi the day of Winter Solstice and not on the basis of Lahiri

or Raman or Chandrahari ayanamshas.

Astrological predictions also were made from So called sayana rashis and

not on the basis of Chitrawalas and Muladharawals etc.

AKK