Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c2.1

c2.1

Traditionally *jyotiḥśāstra* is divided into three *skandhas*: *saṃhitā* (omens), *gaṇita* (astronomy), and *horā* (astrology) (see BS 1, 9); and, according to the medieval *muhūrta* treatises, was originally promulgated by the eighteen sages Brahmācārya, Vasiṣṭha, Atri, Manu, Paulastya, Romaśa, Marīci, Aṅgiras, Vyāsa, Nārada, Śaunaka, Bhṛgu, Cyavana, Yavana, Garga, Kaśyapa, Parāśara, and Sūrya. The validity of the first tradition was maintained only by artificially including new forms of scientific writing—e.g., treatises on mathematics, on *muhūrta*, or on *praśna*—in one or another of the three *skandhas*, while there was never any validity to the second. In this volume an attempt has been made to establish a more accurate classification of the areas of *jyotiḥśāstra* actually made the subject of independent works, and to survey the literature in each area (but omitting the sectarian Jaina contributions) in order to establish a correct historical origin (often from outside of India) and development of each. To have included discussions of the technical aspects of these sciences, however, would both have duplicated much that has already been done (though in some areas it desperately needs to be done better) and have extended the length of this volume far beyond reasonable bounds.