Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c7.8

c7.8

In large measure based on the YJ, but also dependent on the lost work of Satya,⁴ is the *Vṛddhayavanajātaka*⁵ composed by the Yavanādhirāja Mīnarāja⁶ in about 300–325 in the realm of the Western Kṣatrapas—that is, during the reign of Rudrasiṃha II (ca. 305–317) or Yaśodāman II (ca. 317–332). This is probably the work called *Yavana* referred to by al-Bīrūnī (*India* 14). It is an immense text, twice as long as the YJ, divided into seventy-one *adhyāyas*; the last eight, as we have already noted, are concerned with omens. The rest to a large extent repeat and expand upon the YJ.⁷ The remainder deal with the effect of each planet (in the order of the week-days, as henceforth is normal in Sanskrit texts) in each zodiacal sign aspected by each other planet (VYJ 9–15); on the effects of the planets in each astrological place while in various of its *vargas* (VYJ 24–35); on the ascendant aspected by each of the planets (VYJ 36); on the lord of each astrological place in its own and every other place (VYJ 54); and on the "rays" (*raśmi*) of the planets (VYJ 56). Only once—in an astrological *digvijaya* (VYJ 2, 9–10)—does Mīnarāja mention Rāhu as a *graha*; Sphujidhvaja never does. The inclusion of Rāhu and Ketu among the planets to make them nine postdates the VYJ.