Brihat Samhita
by N. Chidambaram Iyer | 1884 | 135,584 words | ISBN-13: 9788171104215
This page describes dust-storms (rajas-lakshana) which is the thirty-eighth 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 38 - On Dust-storms (rajas-lakṣaṇa)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
1. If the dust-storm (rajas) should be so black and dense as to render mountains, towns and trees undistinguishable, the reigning prince will die.
2. If the dust-storm should be of the colour of smoke, there will be suffering in the countries in which the storm appears for the ñrst time or disappears finally, within seven days from the occurrence of the event.
3. If the dust-storm should resemble white clouds, ministers and people at large will suffer; there will be wars in the land and mankind will be afflicted with innumerable miseries.
4. If the dust-storm should appear to hide the sky about sunrise on one or two consecutive days, mankind will suffer from great fears.
5. If the storm should (rajas) continue dense for a night the chief ruler will perish; but other princes will prosper.
6. If in a particular country the storm should be found to remain for two days together, that country will be overrun by the army of the enemy.
7. If the dust-storm should be found to continue for three or four days, there will be scarcity in the land, and juice will be injured; if it should continue for five days, contending armies will engage in fight.
8. If a malefic dust-storm unaccompanied by the appearance of comets and the like abnormal phenomena should be seen in any Ṛtus (season) except Śiśira (from the middle of January to that of March), it will produce the full effects assigned to it.