Hora Sara by Prithuyasas son of Varahamihira (An Adorable Masterpiece of Hindu Astrology): Sanskrit Text, Translation and Notes

Prithu Yasas, the author was born to illustrious Varaha Mihira, doyen of and authority on Hindu Astrology and inimitable latitude. After going through the present work, one can be convinced that prithu Yasas justified his birth in an astrologer's family.

This work is among the Big Five in astrology, the other four beng Parasara Hora, Brihat Jataka, Saravali and Jataka Parijata. HORASARA is rightly in the midst being the third in order of age.

A number of principles are found in this scientific work on predictive astrology. Taking guidelines from Brihat Jataka, rules from the various Sages and earlier Acharyas relating to Rajayogas. Ashtak Varga, Female Horoscopy. Nashta Jataka, Yogas for poverty, for long life, for instant death, Dasa effects etc. are arranged in an understandable and clear manner. The author discusses and opens new dimensions with the aid of Navamsas in prognstications. That celebrated Kalyana Varma of Saravali, Vaidyanatha of Jataka Parijata etc. followed the thinking of our author is a proof of the enviable place he occupies. The author made humble efforts to bring an elementary student to the level of a scholar.

Thus the present compendium, which is a Longue hale line, contains simple rules on most aspects of astrology.

Foreword

Horasara is a great classic on astrology. The author Prithu Yasas, as he acknowledges at the end of each chapter of this book, is no other than the son of the immortal Varahamihira- Sri Varahamihira Sutha.

The work, perhaps one of the best classics, as the name implies, gives the essence of Hora or Astrology. In fact Hora is generally equated with Mihira's Brihat Jataka and the implication is clear that the author gives the essence of Brithat Jataka in his own inimitable style.

The English translation presented by Mr. R. Santhanam, is not verbatim but it conveys the spirit of the original author in simple and easily understandable English language. I must say that in this arduous task of translating a technical work from a highly developed language like Sanskrit into a modern developing language like English Mr. Santhanam has aquitted himself well.

Clarity and brevity have been well preserved.

This is not just a translation. Copious notes have been given to elucidate doubtful or difficult stanzas so that the reader can understand the subject without much difficulty.

The late Mr. V. Subrahmanya Sastri, an esteemed friend of mine, has no doubt brought out a translation of Horasara as early as 1949. But the presentation of Mr. Santhanam is more appealing for two reasons viz, the translation is to the point and the English terms are nearer to the original. For instance the word Kalala is translated by Mr. Sastry as foetus, whereas Mr. Santhanam has used the word embryo which is more appropriate.

The Pancha Mahapurusha yogas have also been explained elaborately.

Horasara is a classic of importance and more or less a complete text-book in itself meriting a place in all astrological libraries.

Mr. Santhanam is planning to bring our English translations of some other ancient classics. I wish him all success and increasing usefulness to the cause of astrology.