History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.528

v6.c82.528

In marriages both *candrabala* and *tārābala* were required. As stated in note 772 above the 3rd, 5th and 7th nakṣatras from the nakṣatra of birth were called respectively 'vipad (calamity), 'pratyari' (facing enemy) and 'vadha' (destruction) and they yielded results in consonance with their names; therefore they were to be avoided in auspicious rites and particularly in marriage. The nakṣatras from that of birth were arranged in three groups of nine In the 2nd group the evil ones would be 12th, 14th and 16th and in the 3rd group 21st, 23rd and 25th. It was laid down that, where the Moon⁹³⁸ is powerful, the *tārābala* need not be considered, but where the Moon is weak (as in the dark half), then the strength of tārās is pre-eminent. Some authors regarded even the nakṣatra of birth as one to be avoided in certain rites, though acceptable in others. The evil tārās called 'vipad', 'pratyari' and 'vadha' were to be placated respectively by gifts to brāhmaṇas of jaggery, salt, and gold with sesame.