History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.224

v6.c82.224

The Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa contain numerous passages where the planets in relation to certain nakṣatras are stated to indicate misfortunes to people in general, to warring armies and to individuals. A few examples may be cited by way of illustration. When in the sanguinary battle between Rāvaṇa and Rāma, the former seemed to be getting the better of Rāma, the Rāmāyaṇa states⁷⁶⁸ 'Mercury stood covering the Rohiṇī nakṣatra which is presided over by Prajāpati and which is the favourite of the moon and thereby indicated evil fortune to people'. Similarly, it is said 'Mars stood covering the nakṣatra Viśākhā in the sky, which is presided over by Indra and Agni and which is the nakṣatra of the Kosalas'. In the Mahābhārata numerous statements are made about the position of the planets, the nakṣatras and tithis, which it is almost impossible to reconcile. Vide H of Dh. vol III. pp 903-923 for consideration of the astronomical data in the Mahābhārata. Here we are concerned only with the beliefs about certain omens and portents. In the Bhīṣma-parva we read⁷⁶⁹ 'a white celestial body stands traversing Citrā nakṣatra, one sees therein specially the destruction of the Kurus; a very frightful comet stands covering Puṣya-nakṣatra; this great *graha* will bring about terrible evil to both armies A white blazing *graha* resembling fire emitting smoke stands covering the bright Jyeṣṭhā-nakṣatra whose presiding deity is Indra; a cruel comet standing between Citrā and Svātī afflicts Rohiṇī and the Sun and the Moon'