Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c14.61

v2.c14.61

Whether an event will happen at all, and if so, when and how—such and other questions are put to astrologers. There are several systems of dealing with questions (*praśna*). One of the systems is to answer a question from the ascending sign in the horoscope which is cast for the moment when the question is put and hence the ‘*praśna*’ forms a part of the ‘Horā-Branch’ or astrology. But some of the methods of examining a question have nothing to do with the science of astrology. But there is a popular belief that one who is known as a Jyotiṣi must be able to give out predictions about each and every matter; and hence any question can become a subject for astrologers’ scrutiny and each book on ‘*Praśna*’ is included in astrological Literature. There are several works on ‘*Praśna*’ or Horā astrology. *Praśna Nāradi* is a small manual attributed to a sage, which contains only 32 verses. It is said to be a part of the *Nārada Saṃhitā*. But the Nārada Saṃhitā, as it is at present, resembles the *Bṛhat Saṃhitā* and does not contain this Chapter. Among the ‘human’ (*Pauruṣa*) works extant at present, the work *Praśna Jñyāna* or *Praśna Samāpti* by Bhaṭotpala consisting of 70 couplets, appears to be the most ancient (Śaka 888).