Critical Studies in the Mahabharata (V. S. Sukthankar Memorial Edition, Vol. I) c7.s2.t2.12

c7.s2.t2.12

The question then arises whether Śukra and Sūrya, as *grahas*, were at that time favourable to the Pāṇḍavas or, what comes to the same thing, adverse to the Kauravas. About [175] Sūrya I cannot say. But as far as Śukra is concerned, we may safely answer the question in the affirmative. My friend Prof. GHATAK has kindly drawn my attention to a stanza in Varāhamihira's *Bṛhatsaṃhitā* which, if *dyūtajīvin* may be taken to apply to the Kauravas, would indicate that at the time of the Bhārata battle the planet Śukra, which was then in the Pūrvābhādrapadā (cf. 6. 3. 15), was in a position which augured disaster to the Kauravas and was therefore favourable (anuloma) to the Pāṇḍavas. The Bṛhatsaṃhitā reference (9. 34) supplied to me by my friend runs.