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List of Hindu astrological texts
A
jyoti???stra
(
treatise
on
jyotisha
) is a text from a classical body of literature on the topic of
Hindu astrology
, known as
Jyoti?a
, dating to the medieval period of
Classical Sanskrit literature
(roughly the 3rd to 9th centuries CE). Only the most important ones exist in scholarly editions or translations, while many remain unedited in Sanskrit or vernacular manuscripts.
Such classical texts should be distinguished from modern works. There are a great number of contemporary publications, reflecting the persisting importance of astrology in
Hindu culture
, and the corresponding economical attractivity of the market in India. Notable modern authors include
Sri Yukteswar Giri
(1855?1936) and
Bangalore Venkata Raman
(1912?1998).
Classification
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]
David Pingree
defines
jyotihshastra
as manuscripts on
astronomy
,
mathematics
,
astrology
and
divination
, and estimates that about 10% of surviving Sanskrit manuscripts belong to the category.
Traditionally,
jyotihshastra
texts are classified into three broad categories:
- samhit?
or
??kh?
(natural astrology and omens): effects of planetary positions and other natural phenomenon on the world
- hor?
or
j?taka
(horoscopic astrology): effects of planetary positions on humans,
- ga?ita
(mathematical astronomy): calculations of planetary paths and other astronomical matters such as spherics
- siddhanta
: a fundamental treatise; generally uses the beginning of creation of
kalpa
(aeon) as the
epoch
of calculation
- tantra
: generally uses the beginning of the
kali yuga
as the epoch of calculation
- karana
: a handy, practical work describing short and simplified calculations; meant for
panchanga
-makers; generally uses the year of composition as the epoch
According to Pingree, this classification, mentioned in sources such as the
Brihat Samhita
(1.9), does not cover the field adequately.
List of classical texts
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See also
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]
References
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Bibliography
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]