History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.16

v1.c24.s6.16

The Kṛṣi-Parāśara shows how astronomical knowledge was used for forecasting rainfall in the interest of cultivation. One could have a knowledge of rainfall on the basis of the planets which happen to be the lord and minister of the year (verses 11-22). It lays down indications for determining the nature of rainfall in various months from Pauṣa to Śrāvaṇa on the basis of the planets and natural phenomena (verses 30-64). The movement of planets from one zodiac to another is also taken to indicate rainfall and draught (verses 71-79). The text mentions certain natural phenomena and the behaviour of human beings, birds, animals etc. as indicating immediate rainfall (verses 65-70).