History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c82.580

v6.c82.580

The foregoing discussion about the astrological requirements in several religious and secular matters are enough to show how astrology and omens have had a very firm hold on the minds of Indians for the last two thousand years or more. With regard to favourable and unfavourable omens Varāhamihira himself says ‘If all favourable and unfavourable signs⁹⁶⁸ were on one side and on the other side there is purity of heart, it is the latter that brings success’ or ‘on one side all omens, on the other the purity of the mind (it is the mind that counts), in a battle the mind may be suddenly seized with fear and even the wind may be the cause of victory or defeat’. The Matsyapurāṇa after mentioning unusual occurrences and omens in connection with the march of a king on an invasion winds up as follows;⁹⁶⁹ ‘Auspicious planets are commended, particularly Jupiter (as indicative of future success). Belief in god, faith, honouring those that deserve honour—all these are commended and whatever else may be approved by one's conscience. In this matter (of invasion) the peace of the mind is the highest indication of (coming) success, when all omens are on one side and the mind's peace on the other’. A purely astrological work like the Ratnamālā⁹⁷⁰ of Śrīpati says the same thing.