[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981) › c9.2 # Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c9.2 Jyotiḥśāstra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c9.2 - **Language:** English ### [c9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c9.2) In catarchic astrology the \*jyotiṣī\* determines for his client the moment (\*muhūrta\*) at which it is most propitious for him to undertake a specific act; in interrogations (\*praśna\*) he responds to a query about some aspect of the client's life on the basis of the horoscope of the moment of the query. Obviously, there is considerable overlapping of topics and methods between these two branches of astrology. \*Praśna\* is also related to omens since the latter are of two kinds: spontaneous and induced. The second variety, in which the diviner requests that the gods send him an omen, has clear similarities to \*praśna\*. Even the ceremonies of ritual purification and supplication used for induced omens (see, e.g., BS 24 and 43) are reflected in \*praśna\* texts (e.g., PJ 3–4). But in general the techniques of \*praśna\* are derived from \*jātaka\*. - [Previous: c8.s2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c8.s2.16) - [Next: c9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c9.3) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c9) ## Linked texts (1) - [Bṛhatsaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.samhita.rsi.brhatsamhita) — Varāhamihira, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c9.2) · Pramāṇa