Hindu critiques of astrology / jyotiSa

[Ashok Aklujkar]

Tim,

I recall two verses from widely separated sources:

Kau.tilya, Artha-;saastra 9.4.26:
nak.satram atip.rcchantam baalam artho 'tivartate /
artho hy arthasya nak.satra.m ki.m kari.syanti taarakaa.h //

Niilaka.n.tha-diik.sita, Kali-vi.dambana?
aayu.h-pra;sne diirgham aayur vaacya.m mauhuurtikair janai.h /
jiivanto bahu manyante. m.rtaa.h prak.syanti ka.m puna.h //


P.V. Kane, History of Dharma;saastra, vol. 5.1 p. 528 etc. will also be
useful. The index at the end of his vol. 5.2 lists much under "astrology."


ashok aklujkar


> From: "Timothy C. Cahill" <tccahill at LOYNO.EDU>
> Reply-To: Indology <INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk>
> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:26:19 -0500
> To: <INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk>
> Subject: Hindu critiques of astrology / jyotiSa
> 
> Greetings!
>      One of my students is interested in researching Hindu perspectives on
> astrology. He is especially concerned with finding critiques of astrology,
> astrologers or astronomy.  We've assembled a basic set of readings that
> will allow him to learn the basics of Indian astronomy/astrology, but I'm
> not confident that those sources (by D. Pingree, M. Yano, Defouw &
> Svoboda, D. Knipe, et al) will provide 'insider' perspectives critical of
> astrology. About the only thing I could think of was Stietencron's article
> ("Religious Configurations in Pre-Muslim India...) in the *Representing
> Hinduism* volume, where Somasambhu gives them brief mention.  C.
> Minkowski's "The Pandit as Public Intellectual" is also on the reading
> list, and a colleague has pointed me to an article by Judy Pugh in
> Contributions to Indian Sociology. However, I feel that I've yet to supply
> my student with a source that documents the type of critique that we get
> from someone like Martin Luther in Europe.
> 
>      This seems like an excellent topic, but I'm a bit stymied! Any help
> would be much appreciated!  (And apologies for the cross-posting.)
> 
> best,
> Tim Cahill