History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.358

v6.c82.358

Observations of planets by the Babylonians go back to 2nd millennium B C. Venus was the first to be studied Tables about Venus based on observations are found from 1921–1901⁸⁵¹ B C., Jupiter and Mars were also observed. Jupiter was held to be normally favourable when he shone brightly or followed the moon, while Mars was the planet of ill-luck, but, if Mars shone weakly or disappeared, its evil influence disappeared. Saturn as its name indicates ('firm standing one') was regarded mostly a planet of good luck Various favourable prognostications were made about a child, according as the planets like the Moon, Venus or Jupiter were rising or unfavourable prognostications were made if Mars was rising or if Jupiter or Venus were setting.⁸⁵² Each planet received a variety of names in the astronomical texts of Babylonia The teaching that every planet has its exaltation i. e the strongest pitch of its might and influence when in a particular sign goes back to ancient Babylonia.⁸⁵³ The arrangements of the order of planets differed at different times. Planet comes from a Greek word meaning 'a wanderer' and the word was applied to the planets because as compared with the stars they appeared to wander in different ways and at different times.⁸⁵⁴ In modern times there are three more planets, viz. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto discovered respectively in 1781, 1846 and 1930 A. D.⁸⁵⁵ Bouché Leclercq mentions that modern astrologers asserted that Chaldeans saw Uranus and Neptune and three other planets (Juno, Vulcan and Pluto), when they had good eyes (p. 573 note 2 of 'L' Astrologie Grecque).