Brihat Samhita
by N. Chidambaram Iyer | 1884 | 135,584 words | ISBN-13: 9788171104215
This page describes mock suns (pratisurya-lakshana) which is the thirty-seventh Chapter of the English translation of the Brihat-samhita. This work, written by Varahamihira in the 6th century, is classified as jyotisha literature, also known as Indian astronomy. It contains however, also content regarding astrology, palmistry, agriculture, gardening, perfumes, medicines and various other encyclopedic topics.
Chapter 37 - On Mock Suns (pratisūrya-lakṣaṇa)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
1. If the appearance of Pratisūrya or Parhelion, should be of the colour assigned to the Sun for the several seasons of the year and at the same time glossy, or if it should be of the colour of the cat’s-eye (gem) or clear and white, there will be prosperity in the land.
2. If the appearance should be yellow, there will be diseases in the land; if red, resembling the colour of the Aśoka flower, there will be wars. If these appearances should together form a figure of the shape of a garland, there will be suffering from thieves and the chief ruler will perish.
3. If the appearance should be seen to the north of the Sun, there will be rain; if to the south of the Sun, there will be winds; if on both sides of the Sun there will be fear from floods; if seen above the Sun, rulers will perish; and if below the Sun, there will be deaths in the land.