Part 5.1.2 - Omens related to the Moon

[Full title: Celestial Omens (2) The Moon]

The appearance of the Moon on the first day after the New-moon day, which extends over the day-break, should be noted; because it may betoken rain or draught, danger or security. In the case of the crescent Moon its two ends are called 'horns' (arga), and the level of these horns portends the future. For instance, if the Moon (on the first day) is in contact with some planet 23 with the northern end raised and the southern end lowered, or if the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation arvavistha with the southern end raised 23. Varahamihira (Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.21-28) describes the results which are likely to accrue when the 'horn' of the moon is near the different planets.

565 and the northern end lowered; it is said to look towards and adversely affect the Vidarbhas, the Madrakas, the Kausikas, the Dravidas, the Andhras, the Sakas and the Bharats (on all 24 On the sides) and the people near the southern ocean. contrary, when the southern end of the Moon appears raised, it affects the Kasmiras, the Daradas, the Darvas, the Surasenas, the Yayavaras, the salvas and those residing near the western ocean. When the Moon has a human form (i.e. it stands vertical), it affects a female ruler, the western region, the Balhikas, the Yavanas, the Kambojas, the salvas, the Madras, the Usinaras, the Godhas, the Bhadrakas, the central part of this country, the Kurus, the Kurus, the Saurastras, the Sindhu-sauviras, the Vaneyas, the Simsakas, the Ksudrakas, the Malavas, the Matsyas, the Mlecchas, the Pulindakas, those who live by wielding weapons, the Brahmanas, and the warriors. Abnormal appearances of the Moon presage danger. If the Moon is 'fat' or 'lean' out of proportion, or if its horn is shortened, it indicates draught, danger and disease. If on the first day the Moon appears distorted or cut, or if it does not appear at all (cf. 72.3.12), it indicates death of the king. If the Moon attains its half size on the sixth day of the bright fortnight (instead of on the seventh), the king will be killed and the people in the eastern half of Avanti 24. Many of the tribes referred to here and hereafter are mentioned elsewhere also.

566 and especially of Magadha will be affected. If the half size is attained on the eighth day, it affects the princes; and if on the tenth day, it affects the kings. Similarly, if, in the dark fortnight, the Moon attains the half-size on the twelfth day, it affects the Pancanada region and all the kings (Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.31-32). 25 The movements of the Moon also indicate the future. In this connection, the sky is supposed to be divided into various parts, and these parts have been given different names, such as, rajavithi, gajavithi, nagavithi and govithi If the Moon follows the vaisvanara-patha (1.e. south-east), there will be draught so that even the sea will dry up; but 26 if the Moon returns after following the rajavithi, there 27 will not be draught and there will be welfare. Krostuki is said to have defined the Moon in its eight forms or positions. They are: 1) nausthay! 2) langall 3) uttaronnata 4) dangasthayi 5) danda say! 6) yupasthayi 7) paravasthayi and 8) avanchirah. The Atharvaveda, Saunakiya recension-Parisista (50) presumably regards these terms as well-known and, therefore, does not explain them. Varahamihira explains some of these 25. The explanation of these terms, which are said to be coin ed by Garga, is given in the section 'A General Study of the Atharvaveda-Parisistas (state of knowledge)' below. 26. The part of the sky to the north of the constellations Krttika, Rohini, Magha and Visakha is called rajavithi (50.4.2). 27. Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.5-6; 47.18.

567 forms and positions of the Moon (Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.8-16): Nausthay is that form in which the ends of the crescent are raised slightly; langala, in which those ends are half-raised. (If only the southern end is half-raised, it is called dusta-langala.). Uttaronnata is that position in which only the northern end is raised and parevasayi is that position in which the southern end is raised. When the crescent Moon appears straight and vertical, it is probably called dandasthayl; and if horizontal, it is possibly called danda sayl. Avanchira is naturally that position in which the crescent Moon is seen inverted. Varahamihira has mentioned a vertical position of the crescent Moon which appears like a bow. This is, perhaps, the yupasthay position in our text. He describes one more position of the crescent Moon, called kunda, in which the line of the circumference of the Moon is visible. 28 When the Moon is nausthayl, the kings duly reign their kingdoms; when it is langall, it torments the people and indicates that the end of the epoch (yuga) is approaching; when it is Uttaromnata, it foreshows a great epidemic; when it is dangasthayl, it portends danger and illness for the ministers and for those who destroy the forces, break friendship (granthi), steal cows or have licentious behaviour and harass the country. When the Moon is dandasayi, it prognosticates danger to the Brahmanas; when it is yupasthayi, it indicates loss of the harvest. The effects of the Moon in 28. Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 47.16 with Atharvaveda-Parisistas 50.6.5.

568 the parsvasthayi and avanchirah positions have not, however, been mentioned by the Parisista. 29 The colour of the Moon (on the first day of the bright fortnight) forebodes the future. If the Moon appears green, When it foretells the death of cattle; if black, the ruin of the Sudras; if yellow, the loss to the Vaisyas; and if red, the destruction of the Ksatriyas. If, however, the Moon is white, it means prosperity to the Brahmanas. When, on the first day, the Moon is glossy, yellowish like gold and occupies the govithi, it indicates welfare to the Brahmanas. When the Moon occupies a high place, with the ends in the same level and moves in the nagavithi, it possesses all virtues. the Moon is of the colour of smoke (dusky), has the langala form and is bright with hallow, it indicates happiness to the Brahmanas and Ksatriyas. When it occupies the rajavithi and is in the ugradandi position, with yellow or red colour, it looks upon the cemetery (i.e. it leads to destruction). When the Moon is small in size with its ends pointing downwards, is (red) like lac or blood, and is dhanusthayl, it brings about the death of the king. When two Moons appears in the sky, they augur the great danger of war and ruin of the Brahmanas 30 (50.1.1-7.1); and when the Moon rises with a blue 29. Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.13; 47.16. The effects mentioned by Varahamihira (Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 4.8-20) are mostly different. 30. Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 47.11. Varahamihira states that the Brahmanas prosper when two Moons are seen.

569 body and red bottom, it predicts danger to the king (64.6.5). Similar is the effect when a black spot appears on the Moon (72.3.15).