History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.399

v6.c82.399

The Bṛhajjātaka has a special chapter 27 (in 36 verses) called dreṣkāṇādhyāya in which the 36 presiding deities of dreṣkāṇas are described This chapter appears to conserve the ancient Egyptian conception of the decans as guardian⁸⁶⁹ divinities The language must be regarded as rather metaphorical or symbolic It is parts of the Zodiac that are being described. Nearly two-thirds of 36 are male and the rest are female Some composite figures of males and females and quadrupeds or birds or serpents occur. In verses 2, 19 and 21 (of chap 27) Varāha expressly says that he only sets out what the Yavanas have said.