Library
Texts library: Hora
A catalogue of the classical texts behind the Vedic sciences: what each one covers, how it is arranged, and the editions and translations to read it in.
Bṛhat Pārāśara Horāśāstra
बृहत्पाराशरहोराशास्त्र
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.
- 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
Bṛhajjātaka
बृहज्जातक
Varahamihira's compact and demanding treatise on nativity, condensing earlier Greek-influenced and Indian horoscopy into terse verses. It defines the signs, grahas and their strengths, and treats yogas, longevity and the effects of placements. Its commentary by Bhattotpala (10th century) became a standard companion.
- Author
- Varahamihira
- Period
- 6th century CE
- Tradition
- Hora
Phaladīpikā
फलदीपिका
A practical manual of results, the 'lamp of effects', organised by grahas, houses and yogas. It is valued for its clear definitions of planetary strength and its chapters on dashas and transits. Its style is more accessible than Varahamihira's and it remains popular with teachers.
- Author
- Mantreshvara
- Period
- Medieval South India; dates proposed range from the 13th to the 16th century (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Hora
Sārāvalī
सारावली
A large compendium of horoscopy that expands on Varahamihira and earlier Yavana material, giving many detailed descriptions of results for placements and combinations. Kalyanavarma states that he drew on several older works. It is often consulted for the breadth of its combinations.
- Author
- Kalyanavarma
- Period
- Around the 9th–10th century CE (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Hora
Jātakapārijāta
जातकपारिजात
A systematic later compilation that gathers rules from earlier authorities on signs, grahas, houses, yogas and dashas. Its chapter on yogas and its treatment of house lords are frequently cited. It shows how the tradition consolidated in the late medieval period.
- Author
- Vaidyanatha Dikshita
- Period
- Around the 15th century CE (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Hora
Jaimini Sūtra (Upadeśa Sūtra)
जैमिनिसूत्र
A terse collection of sutras presenting a distinct system of horoscopy, with sign-based aspects, chara karakas (variable significators) and sign-based dashas such as Chara Dasha. The sutras use a letter-to-number code (katapayadi) that makes commentaries essential. Different commentarial lineages read them quite differently.
- Author
- Attributed to Jaimini
- Period
- Date uncertain (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Hora