Daivajna Vallabha: A Forgotten Classic on Hindu Horary Astrology

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“Daivajna Vallabha” is a rare work on Horary Astrology, expounded by the great Acharya Varaha Mihira. The work seems to be almost forgotten though copious references from the same are to be found in Prasna Marga, Prasna Vaishnava, Prasna Siromani and many other treatises of medieval times. Many of its verses have a striking resemblance with those found in Prasna Jnana and Shat Panchasika, the latter being by Prithuyasas, son of Varaha Mihira. While it is obvious that Bhattotpala has borrowed much material from this work. Shatpanchasika appears to be nothing but a terse abridgement of the verses of this book. We are thus led to believe that, this work which must have been very popular in ancient times fell into disuse under the influence of the later works like Prasna Jnana, Shatpanchasika and others which were shorter. The indebtedness of these works to Daivajna Vallabha in more than one way, is ample proof as to the authenticity and usefulness of the work. The book is divided into fifteen chapters and contains about 244 verses. The topics dealt with in three chapters are queries regarding (1) Procedure of putting a query (2) Auspicious and inauspicious matters (3) Gain and loss (4) Travels (5) Attack of enemies (6) On going abroad (7) Victory and defeat (8) Recovery from illness (9) Recovery of lost articles (10) Deciphering objects held in the fist or in mind of the querist (11) Rainfall (12) Marriage (13) Birth of children (14) Miscellaneous matters (15) Judgement From Ascendant.

The opening verse mentions Sripati as the author of the work while some of the verses occurring at the end state that Varaha Mihira composed this work. Also, the words of Siddh Vaishnava Dasa in Prasnavaisnava seem to prove conclusively that Varaha Mihira has been referred to as Hari in some works, and Sripati and Hari are only synonymous. Also according to the verse. Chapter XXVIII sloka 4 “occurring in Brihat Jataka point out clearly that Mihira has written a work on Horary Astrology. May be, it is not other than the book “Daivajna Vallabha” which is being placed before the public now. Attempt has been made to make the translation as lucid as possible, adding explanations, elaborate notes and illustrations wherever necessary. It is earnestly hoped that the book will be found extremely instructive and useful to the readers.

Errors which may have inadvertently crept in, may kindly be pointed out by the readers so that the same can be removed in future editions.

We are grateful to Mr. N. Balakrishnan for the help resolved in the publication of this work.