Manava Dharmashastra 6.50

6.50

utpātā divyāntarikṣabhaumā uparāgamahodayaketūdayadigdāhāvanicalanādayaḥ, tatphalaṃ na kathayedbhikṣālipsayā | nimittaṃ grahadausthityādi | nakṣatravidyā adya kṛttikā karmaṇyā yātrānakṣatramityādi | aṃgavidyā hastalekhyādilakṣaṇam | anuśāsanaṃ rājñastatprakṛtīnām | evaṃ yuktaṃ vartitum, etena sandhiranena vigrahaḥ, idaṃ tvayā kimiti kṛtam, idaṃ kinna karoṣīti | vādo'bhimānahetukaḥ śāstrārthavipratipattau sādhanadūṣaṇādyupanyāsaḥ |

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
‘Prodigies’—appearing in the heaven, in the atmosphere and on the earth, e.g., eclipess, the appearance of particular planets, the appearance of a comet, reddening of the atmosphere, earthquake and so forth. The man shall not go about describing the probable effects of these, for the purpose of obtaining alms.

‘Portents’—the evil effects of planetary aspects.

‘Science of astrology’— the science which enables one to say—‘To-day the moon is in the asterism of Kṛttikā, which is fit for starting on a journey and so forth.

‘Science of palmistry’— which describes the effect of marks in the palms and other parts of the body.

‘Counsel’— offering advice to the King and his subjects,—in such form as ‘It is right to act in this manner,—make peace with this King—declare war with that—why did you do this?—why don’t you do this?’

‘Discussion’— the urging of arguments in sheer arrogance, for and against certain doctrines in regard to which there is difference of opinion.—(50)