Vedic Astrology Books: Jatakas

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Vedic Astrology:

Jatakas

All in one place, books with Jataka or Jatakam in their titles. "Jataka" means horoscope. Most of the strange titles here have simple translations: Brihat Jataka is natal horoscope, for which there are three translations to choose from. Nasta Jatakam is lost horoscope, Satya Jatakam is Satyacharya's horoscope, etc.

Three translations of Brihat Jataka of Varahamihira

Acharya Varahamihira's Brihat Jatak - translation & notes by P.S. Sastri, $16.00
Synopsis: Along with Parasara's Hora Shastra, the Brihat Jataka is one of the core Vedic astrology texts, essential to the study. Of the various available translations, we think this the best.
Contents, comment.
Ranjan, 219 pages.

Varaha Mihira's BRIHAT JATAKA, with original Slokas in Devanagari - translated by B. Suryanarain Rao, revised by B.L. Rao, edited by B.V. Raman, $20.00
Synopsis: One of the fundamental, essential books in Vedic astrology. This translation by B.V. Raman's grandfather. First published in 1919.
Contents, comment.
Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 639 pages.

Varaha Mihira's BRIHAT JATAKA - translated by Usha & Shashi, upgraded by G.K. Goel, $21.00
Contents:
Introduction; Introducting of second edition; Astrological terms; Forword
1. Definitions & elementary principles (zodiacal); 2. Definitions & elementary principles (planetary); 3. Animal & vegetable horoscopy; 4. Nisheka kala or the time of conception; 5. Matters connected with birth time;
6. Balarishta or early death; 7. Ayurdaya or the determination of the length of life; 8. Planetary divisions & sub-divisions of life known as dasas & antar dasas; 9. Ashtaka vargas; 10. Avocation;
11. Raja yoga or the birth of kings; 12. Nabhasa yogas; 13. Chandra or lunar yogas; 14. Double planetary yogas; 15. Ascetic yogas;
16. The nakshatras or the moon in the asterisms; 17. The moon in the several signs of the zodiac; 18. The sun, Mars & other planets in the several signs of the zodiac; 19. Planetary aspects; 20. Planets in the bhavas;
21. Planets in the several vargas; 22. Miscellaneous yogas; 23. Malefic yogas; 24. Horoscopy of women; 25. Death; 26. Lost horoscopes; 27. Drekkanas; 28. Conclusion.
Appendices:
A. Chitra Paksha Ayanamsha
B. Equal house (bhava) division & the role of the trinity in Navamsa
C. Major (dasa) & sub-periods (Antar Dasas) of the planets based on the method of Ansayurdaya

Comment: Notes as of May 8, 2007:
Thanks to a note at Deb Houlding's Skyscript, the origin of this book has been traced to a 1905 edition of Brihat Jataka, a translation by N. Chidambaram Iyer (as Kenneth Miller suspected), published in 1905 in Madras by Thompson & Co. This was the second edition of Iyer's translation. The first edition was published in 1885, as shown by date of the original introduction (June 2, 1885). The introduction to the 1905 edition was by the late translator's brother, N. Visvanatha Aiyar. This second introduction was removed from Sagar's Usha-Shashi reprints.
Otherwise, the first edition of the Usha-Shashi edition of 1977 took no pains to disguise the original, and in particular, its self-revealing introduction. In the "second revised printing" of 2004, that has changed. N.C. Iyer's original introduction, while still copied word-for-word, has been very carefully edited to remove all tell-tale traces. In particular, a section on 19th century Indian time-keeping has been replaced with a section on calculating Indian births (pg. xix in the 2nd Sagar). These changes, along with a brief new introduction (by "Usha-Shashi") to the second Sagar edition, are easily revealed by their poor use of English. (Iyer's original writing, by contrast, is quite fluent.) The second Sagar edition also features a new Forword, which actually appears to be by G.K. Goel, whose name appears at the end of it.
It was G.K. Goel, in 2004, who added the Sanskrit slokas, which did not appear in any previous edition. I cannot read Sanskrit, so I must presume that Goel did an accurate job of selecting & placing the slokas in the text. For those of you who read Sanskrit, the addition is a great improvement.
Mr. Goel also replaced the Appendices in Sagar's first edition with three of his own.
Glancing at the text, I found this in Chapter 10, On Avocation, page 141:
(b) Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao's birth particulars are: ...
Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, 1921-2004, was the 12th Prime Minister of the modern Indian state, serving from 1991 to 1996. It would appear that Mr. Goel's "upgrading" consisted of more than Sanskrit slokas. It would appear the book has at least been very carefully edited, all credit which must go to Mr. Goel. Which makes me wonder: Who were "Usha-Shashi"?
A much improved book. Dear Mr. Sagar: Why not remove "Usha-Shashi" from this book, and replace those names with the name of the true translator, Mr. N. Chidambaram Iyer?
Sagar, 350 pages.

NASTA JATAKAM (Lost Horoscopy) - Mukunda Daivajna, translated from the Sanskrit by R. Santhanam, $11.00
Contents:
Foreword by B.V. Raman; Introduction;
1. Restoring lost horoscopy according to Varaha Mihira: Birth data through horary chart ascertaining year, season, day/night, month, sign, natal ascendant, birth-star, other ways of ascertaining year, etc.;
2. Construction of lost horoscopy according to Amir Chand: Ascertainment of solstice, season, year, month, fortnight, day, hour, minute, second, etc. Results obtained by effecting Rasi multiplication & planetary multiplication, period of longevity of various living beings with the help of horary ascendant, the sun & the strong planet in the horary chart;
3. Restoring lost horoscopy according to Kerala school of thought: Ascertainment of lost horoscope through Vargankas, Varnankas, or basic products - Pindas. Twelve methods of restoring lost horoscopy detailed;
4. Ways of rectifying or constructing a lost horoscope; Appendix.
Comment: Nasta Jatakam is the art of determining birth data when the time, day or even year are unknown. In the Vedic system, this is accomplished through a process of deduction & mathematics. The author was a Brahmin, born in the Garhwal region in 1877, trained as a Paurohit (one who performs marriages & death rites, etc.) and as an astrologer, for which he was renown. This book dates from 1917, this edition includes the original Sanskrit slokas, but has no example charts. Sri Mukunda lived to 1979.
Ranjan, 150 pages.

JATAKA TATVA - Mahadeva, translated by S.S. Sareen, $12.00
Contents:
Introduction; 1. Samjna tatva; 2. Sutika tatva;
3. Prakirna tatva: 1st house: The ascendant; 2nd house: Dhana Viveka; 3rd house: Sahaja Viveka; 4th house: Chaturtha Viveka; 5th house: Panchama Viveka; 6th house: Shashta Viveka; 7th house: Samthama Viveka; 8th house: Ashtama Viveka; 9th house: Navama Viveka; 10th house: Dasama Viveka; 11th house: Eleventh Viveka; 12th house: Twelfth Viveka; Miscellaneous: Misra Viveka;
4. Women horoscopy: Strijataka Tatva; 5. Main & sub-periods: Dasa Tatva.
Comment: "Tatva" is a variation on the word for element, so here are elements of horoscopy. The introduction says these sutras are "in a simple & racy language", by which they mean, pithy. For example, sloka 44 from the third house: If malefics occupy the 10th house without a benefic aspect, the native shall be hired by another. Original Sanskrit slokas are given. The author's full name appears to have been Shri Mahadevji Revashankarji Pathak of Rutlam. He lived from 1842 to 1888. This book dates from 1871, there are no chart examples.
Sagar, 283 pages.

JATAKA DESH MARGA - Podumanai Chomadiri, translated by S.S. Sareen, $15.00
Contents:
Introduction; 1. Sangya; 2. Nisheka; 3. Balarishta; 4. Arishta Bhang; 5. Ayur Vibhaga; 6. Ayur Yoga; 7. Maran Nirnaya; 8. Yoga; 9. Ashtakavarga; 10. Bhava Vichar; 11. Chara Phala; 12. Dasa Paharchidra; 13. Bharya Vichar; 14. Anukoolya; 15. Putra Chinta; 16. Santana Chinta; 17. Misra.
Comment: Regrettably, the introductory notes give no details as to the author, who was also known as Somayaji of Poduhouse. Most of the chapter headings need translation, here they are:
1. Introduction; 2. Women, sex, childbirth; 3. Death of children; 4. Combinations that ward off evil; 5. Longevity; 6. Longevity; 7. Signs of death; 8. Yogas that describe the physical body & general life circumstances; 9. The ashtakavargas of the planets; 10. General rules for reading a chart;
11. Transits; 12. Dasas & antardasas, with nakshatras; 13. Marriage, marriage partner; 14. Matching boy & girl charts; 15. Children due to the native (sex, number); 16. More yogas for getting children, or why they may be denied; 17. Happiness, prosperity.
Original slokas (not sure if they're Sanskrit, might be Hindi), tables, diagrams, some sample charts. Some slokas attract extensive comment from the translator, who, on occasion, also quotes Sanskrit from other, traditional, sources.
Sagar, 252 pages.

SATYA-JATAKAM - Sage Satyacharya, $10.00
Contents:
Preface, by S.K. Raman; Contents at a glance;

1. Time of birth - Janmanakshatra - Strength of a bhava - Significance of the houses;
2. Strength of bhavas & planets - Pancha siddhanta criterions - Planetary friendship - Auspicious & inauspicious stars, etc.;
3. Effects of planets in the houses;
4. Effects of Dasas & Bhuktis, Dasas of the lords of the houses, etc.;
5. Rahu & Ketu, Transits & their effects.
Appendix 1: Slokas of Satyacharya as quoted in Chintamani, by Bhattotpala;
Appendix 2: Characteristics of people born in the 12 ascendants.

Comment: This is a very old book. One story is the author was a Buddhist monk. This book is considered to embody the principles of Dhruva Nadi & Satyasamhita Nadi. The translator is not credited (odd), the Preface by S.K. Raman did not strike me as written by the translator. This, of course, makes one wonder where Ranjan got the book. Includes original slokas, no sample charts.
Ranjan, 152 pages.

The Astrology Center of America
207 Victory Lane, Bel Air, MD 21014
Tel: 410-638-7761; Fax:410-638-5154; Toll-free (orders only): 800-475-2272

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	Varaha Mihira's BRIHAT JATAKA, with original Slokas in Devanagari - translated by B. Suryanarain Rao, revised by B.L. Rao, edited by B.V. Raman, $20.00 *Synopsis:* One of the fundamental, essential books in Vedic astrology. This translation by B.V. Raman's grandfather. First published in 1919. Contents, comment. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 639 pages.

	Varaha Mihira's BRIHAT JATAKA *- translated by Usha & Shashi, upgraded by G.K. Goel, $21.00* *Contents:* Introduction; Introducting of second edition; Astrological terms; Forword 1. Definitions & elementary principles (zodiacal); 2. Definitions & elementary principles (planetary); 3. Animal & vegetable horoscopy; 4. Nisheka kala or the time of conception; 5. Matters connected with birth time; 6. Balarishta or early death; 7. Ayurdaya or the determination of the length of life; 8. Planetary divisions & sub-divisions of life known as dasas & antar dasas; 9. Ashtaka vargas; 10. Avocation; 11. Raja yoga or the birth of kings; 12. Nabhasa yogas; 13. Chandra or lunar yogas; 14. Double planetary yogas; 15. Ascetic yogas; 16. The nakshatras or the moon in the asterisms; 17. The moon in the several signs of the zodiac; 18. The sun, Mars & other planets in the several signs of the zodiac; 19. Planetary aspects; 20. Planets in the bhavas; 21. Planets in the several vargas; 22. Miscellaneous yogas; 23. Malefic yogas; 24. Horoscopy of women; 25. Death; 26. Lost horoscopes; 27. Drekkanas; 28. Conclusion. Appendices: A. Chitra Paksha Ayanamsha B. Equal house (bhava) division & the role of the trinity in Navamsa C. Major (dasa) & sub-periods (Antar Dasas) of the planets based on the method of Ansayurdaya *Comment:* Notes as of May 8, 2007: Thanks to a note at Deb Houlding's Skyscript, the origin of this book has been traced to a 1905 edition of Brihat Jataka, a translation by N. Chidambaram Iyer (as Kenneth Miller suspected), published in 1905 in Madras by Thompson & Co. This was the second edition of Iyer's translation. The first edition was published in 1885, as shown by date of the original introduction (June 2, 1885). The introduction to the 1905 edition was by the late translator's brother, N. Visvanatha Aiyar. This second introduction was removed from Sagar's Usha-Shashi reprints. Otherwise, the first edition of the Usha-Shashi edition of 1977 took no pains to disguise the original, and in particular, its self-revealing introduction. In the "second revised printing" of 2004, that has changed. N.C. Iyer's original introduction, while still copied word-for-word, has been very carefully edited to remove all tell-tale traces. In particular, a section on 19th century Indian time-keeping has been replaced with a section on calculating Indian births (pg. xix in the 2nd Sagar). These changes, along with a brief new introduction (by "Usha-Shashi") to the second Sagar edition, are easily revealed by their poor use of English. (Iyer's original writing, by contrast, is quite fluent.) The second Sagar edition also features a new Forword, which actually appears to be by G.K. Goel, whose name appears at the end of it. It was G.K. Goel, in 2004, who added the Sanskrit slokas, which did not appear in any previous edition. I cannot read Sanskrit, so I must presume that Goel did an accurate job of selecting & placing the slokas in the text. For those of you who read Sanskrit, the addition is a great improvement. Mr. Goel also replaced the Appendices in Sagar's first edition with three of his own. Glancing at the text, I found this in Chapter 10, On Avocation, page 141: (b) Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao's birth particulars are: ... Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, 1921-2004, was the 12th Prime Minister of the modern Indian state, serving from 1991 to 1996. It would appear that Mr. Goel's "upgrading" consisted of more than Sanskrit slokas. It would appear the book has at least been very carefully edited, all credit which must go to Mr. Goel. Which makes me wonder: Who were "Usha-Shashi"? A much improved book. Dear Mr. Sagar: Why not remove "Usha-Shashi" from this book, and replace those names with the name of the true translator, Mr. N. Chidambaram Iyer? Sagar, 350 pages.

	NASTA JATAKAM (Lost Horoscopy) - Mukunda Daivajna, translated from the Sanskrit by R. Santhanam, $11.00 *Contents:* Foreword by B.V. Raman; Introduction; 1. Restoring lost horoscopy according to Varaha Mihira: Birth data through horary chart ascertaining year, season, day/night, month, sign, natal ascendant, birth-star, other ways of ascertaining year, etc.; 2. Construction of lost horoscopy according to Amir Chand: Ascertainment of solstice, season, year, month, fortnight, day, hour, minute, second, etc. Results obtained by effecting Rasi multiplication & planetary multiplication, period of longevity of various living beings with the help of horary ascendant, the sun & the strong planet in the horary chart; 3. Restoring lost horoscopy according to Kerala school of thought: Ascertainment of lost horoscope through Vargankas, Varnankas, or basic products - Pindas. Twelve methods of restoring lost horoscopy detailed; 4. Ways of rectifying or constructing a lost horoscope; Appendix. *Comment:* Nasta Jatakam is the art of determining birth data when the time, day or even year are unknown. In the Vedic system, this is accomplished through a process of deduction & mathematics. The author was a Brahmin, born in the Garhwal region in 1877, trained as a Paurohit (one who performs marriages & death rites, etc.) and as an astrologer, for which he was renown. This book dates from 1917, this edition includes the original Sanskrit slokas, but has no example charts. Sri Mukunda lived to 1979. Ranjan, 150 pages.

	JATAKA TATVA - Mahadeva, translated by S.S. Sareen, $12.00 *Contents:* Introduction; 1. Samjna tatva; 2. Sutika tatva; 3. Prakirna tatva: 1st house: The ascendant; 2nd house: Dhana Viveka; 3rd house: Sahaja Viveka; 4th house: Chaturtha Viveka; 5th house: Panchama Viveka; 6th house: Shashta Viveka; 7th house: Samthama Viveka; 8th house: Ashtama Viveka; 9th house: Navama Viveka; 10th house: Dasama Viveka; 11th house: Eleventh Viveka; 12th house: Twelfth Viveka; Miscellaneous: Misra Viveka; 4. Women horoscopy: Strijataka Tatva; 5. Main & sub-periods: Dasa Tatva. *Comment:* "Tatva" is a variation on the word for element, so here are elements of horoscopy. The introduction says these sutras are "in a simple & racy language", by which they mean, pithy. For example, sloka 44 from the third house: If malefics occupy the 10th house without a benefic aspect, the native shall be hired by another. Original Sanskrit slokas are given. The author's full name appears to have been Shri Mahadevji Revashankarji Pathak of Rutlam. He lived from 1842 to 1888. This book dates from 1871, there are no chart examples. Sagar, 283 pages.

	JATAKA DESH MARGA - Podumanai Chomadiri, translated by S.S. Sareen, $15.00 *Contents:* Introduction; 1. Sangya; 2. Nisheka; 3. Balarishta; 4. Arishta Bhang; 5. Ayur Vibhaga; 6. Ayur Yoga; 7. Maran Nirnaya; 8. Yoga; 9. Ashtakavarga; 10. Bhava Vichar; 11. Chara Phala; 12. Dasa Paharchidra; 13. Bharya Vichar; 14. Anukoolya; 15. Putra Chinta; 16. Santana Chinta; 17. Misra. *Comment:* Regrettably, the introductory notes give no details as to the author, who was also known as Somayaji of Poduhouse. Most of the chapter headings need translation, here they are: 1. Introduction; 2. Women, sex, childbirth; 3. Death of children; 4. Combinations that ward off evil; 5. Longevity; 6. Longevity; 7. Signs of death; 8. Yogas that describe the physical body & general life circumstances; 9. The ashtakavargas of the planets; 10. General rules for reading a chart; 11. Transits; 12. Dasas & antardasas, with nakshatras; 13. Marriage, marriage partner; 14. Matching boy & girl charts; 15. Children due to the native (sex, number); 16. More yogas for getting children, or why they may be denied; 17. Happiness, prosperity. Original slokas (not sure if they're Sanskrit, might be Hindi), tables, diagrams, some sample charts. Some slokas attract extensive comment from the translator, who, on occasion, also quotes Sanskrit from other, traditional, sources. Sagar, 252 pages.

	SATYA-JATAKAM - Sage Satyacharya, $10.00 *Contents:* Preface, by S.K. Raman; Contents at a glance; 1. Time of birth - Janmanakshatra - Strength of a bhava - Significance of the houses; 2. Strength of bhavas & planets - Pancha siddhanta criterions - Planetary friendship - Auspicious & inauspicious stars, etc.; 3. Effects of planets in the houses; 4. Effects of Dasas & Bhuktis, Dasas of the lords of the houses, etc.; 5. Rahu & Ketu, Transits & their effects. Appendix 1: Slokas of Satyacharya as quoted in Chintamani, by Bhattotpala; Appendix 2: Characteristics of people born in the 12 ascendants. *Comment:* This is a very old book. One story is the author was a Buddhist monk. This book is considered to embody the principles of Dhruva Nadi & Satyasamhita Nadi. The translator is not credited (odd), the Preface by S.K. Raman did not strike me as written by the translator. This, of course, makes one wonder where Ranjan got the book. Includes original slokas, no sample charts. Ranjan, 152 pages.