Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v1.c5.96

v1.c5.96

There is no unanimity of opinion regarding the subject matter of the *Saṃhitā* branch. In general, the *Saṃhitā* may be regarded as divided into two parts. The first deals with the movement of planets in the Zodiac and their mutual conflicts, etc., the consideration of benefic or malefic effects of meteors, comets, eclipses and omens on the world. The second is devoted to the selection or consideration of auspicious moments or otherwise, for starting on a journey, the celebration of a marriage etc. Varāhamihira’s works show that in his time both the branches enjoyed equal importance, but from Śrīpati’s time, that is from Śaka 960, the first part began to lose its importance and from about Śaka 1450, the second part gained so much importance that only the chapter on *muhūrta* began to pass for the third branch. This can be confirmed from the titles and the subject matter of the following works :—*Muhūrta Tattva*, *Muhūrta Mārtanḍa*, *Muhūrta Cintāmaṇi*, *Muhūrta Cuḍāmaṇi*, *Muhūrta Dīpaka*, *Muhūrta Gaṇapati* and others. The works on *Muhūrta* do contain some of the subjects described by Varāhamihira in his *Brhat Saṃhitā* but not with any degree of importance.