Library · Hora
Bṛhat Pārāśara Horāśāstra
बृहत्पाराशरहोराशास्त्र
- Author
- Attributed to the sage Parashara
- Period
- Compiled form of uncertain date; the printed text is generally regarded as late medieval (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Hora
Summary
The most widely used manual of horoscopy in modern India, framed as a dialogue between Parashara and his pupil Maitreya. It covers signs, grahas, houses, divisional charts, yogas, the Vimshottari and other dasha systems, and remedial chapters. Scholars such as David Pingree have noted that the text in circulation differs considerably from the older Parashara quoted by early commentators, so we read it as a living compilation.
Structure
Verse dialogue in chapters (adhyayas); printed editions vary between roughly 97 and 100 chapters (counts vary by edition).
Where to read
Several Sanskrit editions with Hindi commentary are in print; the two-volume English translation by R. Santhanam is widely used. Compare more than one edition, since chapter numbering differs.