History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c89.103

v7.c89.103

Numerous śāntis bearing different names are prescribed in Matsya, by Varāhamihira and others. The 18 śāntis prescribed in Matsya (228)1194a and bearing the names of several gods will be briefly mentioned here Abhoya-śānti is prescribed when a king desires to be a conqueror or when he is attacked by enemies or when he fears that witchcraft has been practised against him or when he desires to uproot his enemies or when a great danger threatens The *Saumya* śānti is prescribed when a man is attacked by Tuberculosis or is weak owing to wounds or when a man desires to perform a sacrifice. When there is an earthquake or when there is a famine of food or there is excessive rain or drought or there is danger of locusts or when thieves are operating the *Vaiṣṇavī* śānti is prescribed; *Raudrī* śānti is employed against an epidemic among cattle or human beings or when ghosts appear or when a coronation is to take place or when there is fear of an invasion or there is treachery in one's kingdom, or when enemies are to be killed; *Brāhmī* śānti is performed when it is feared that Veda study would perish or when atheism prevails or where honour is paid to persons unworthy of it; if strong winds blow for more than three days and disease spreads due to *vāta*, then *Vāyavī* śānti should be performed; *Vāruṇī* when there is fear of drought or there is abnormal rain (of blood &c.); *Bhārgavī* when there is danger of false accusation; *Prājāpatyā* when abnormal births take place; *Tvāṣṭrī* when there are abnormal conditions of implements; *Kaumārī* when śānti is to be performed for children; *Āgneyī* when fire shows portentous appearances; *Gāndharvī* when a person is disobeyed or his wife and servants perish, or he desires to perform śānti for horses; *Āṅgirasī* when elephants are affected; *Nairṛtī* when danger arises from goblins; *Yāmyā* when there is fear of an accident leading to death or a bad dream; *Kauberī* when wealth is lost; *Pārthivī* when trees are affected by abnormal conditions; *Aindrī* when portents happen on Jyeṣṭhā nakṣatra or on Anurādhā.