Chapter 42 - Fluctuation of prices

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

1. Judging from the phenomena of excessive rain, of meteoric falls, of the appearance of the Daṇḍa, of Halos, of eclipse and parhelion occurring on the new or Full Moon day of a particular month, the astronomer shall determine that the price of commodities will rise; but if the phenomena should occur on any other days of the month, rulers will be at war.

2. If the phenomena referred to above should occur when the Sun is in the sign Meṣa (Aries)-April-May, a tradesman shall purchase the produce of Śarat; and if the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in Vṛṣabha (Taurus), he shall store up wild roots and fruits; and if he should dispose of these articles in the fourth month after purchase, he will make much profit.

3. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Mithuna (Gemini), the tradesman shall store up juicy articles and grains, and if he should sell them in the sixth month, he would make much profit.

4. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Karka, he shall store up honey, perfumes, oil, ghee and sugar, and if he should dispose of them in the second month, they would fetch double their value; but if he should dispose of them before or after the second month, he would sustain loss.

6. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Siṃha (Leo) the tradesman shall store up gold, gems, leather, armours, weapons, pearls and silver, and if he should dispose of these in the fifth month, there would be much profit; but if he should do so either before or after the fifth month, he would sustain loss.

7. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Kanyā (Virgo) the tradesman shall purchase Cāmara (chowries), asses, camels and horses; if he should dispose of them in the sixth month, he would get double their value.

8. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Tulā (Libra) the tradesman shall store up yarn goods, crystal wares, flowers of gold colour and grains; if he should dispose of them in the sixth month, he would get double their price.

9. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the sign Vṛścika (Scorpio) the tradesman shall store up fruits and roots of a lasting nature and various precious stones, and if he should dispose of them at the end of two years, they would fetch double their price.

10. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in Dhanus (Sagittarius) the tradesman shall store up conch shells, corals, articles of crystal and pearls; if he should dispose of them in the sixth month, they would fetch double their price.

11. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in the signs of Makara (Capricornus) and Kuṃbha (Aquarius) the tradesman shall store up iron and other metals, vessels and grains; if he should dispose of them at the end of a month they would fetch double their price.

12. If the phenomena should occur when the Sun is in Mīna (Pisces) tradesman shall store up roots, fruits, vessels and precious stones; if he should dispose of them in the sixth month, they would fetch double their price.

13. If the Sun or Moon should happen to be in a single sign accompanied by an Atimitra (very friendly) planet, the tradesman may deal profitably in the articles assigned for that sign.

14. If the New or Full Moon should either be accompanied by or within view of benefic planets the price of commodities will rise. If the Sun should be either accompanied by or within view of malefic planets, the price will fall. Generally, predictions are to be made on full consideration of the strength or weakness of the Zodiacal signs.