A History of Sanskrit Literature c35.s6.2

c35.s6.2

We need not doubt that text-books of astrology were numerous, and in fact Varāhamihira, whose great work caused all the older texts to disappear, mentions Asita Devala, Garga, Vṛddha Garga, Nārada, and Parāçara among authorities. We have possibly genuine fragments of these works, but the most considerable are those of the *Vṛddha Garga Saṁhitā*, or *Gārgī Saṁhitā*,³ which is well known for containing in pseudo-prophetic form some allusions to Greek rule in India. That it existed as early as the first century B.C. is a mere guess. It is important, however, for its definite assertion that the Greeks are barbarians,¹ yet among them the science of astrology was well established and those who knew it were honoured like seers; how much more so then a Brahman skilled in it?