Jyotishsara Prakrit - Book Summary

Based on the provided text, here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jyotishsara Prakrit":

Book Title: Jyotishsara Prakrit Author: Bhagwandas Jain (translated from the original Prakrit work) Publisher: Bhagwandas Jain (and supported by the Shri Ashapuran Parshvanath Jain Gyanbhandar) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/034201/1

Overall Purpose:

The text "Jyotishsara Prakrit" is an ancient Jain treatise on astrology, likely focusing on predictive astrology (Phaladesh). The provided material primarily consists of a catalog of digitized Jain texts and the introductory sections, table of contents, and initial chapters of the "Jyotishsara Prakrit" itself, along with a Hindi translation and commentary by Pandit Bhagwandas Jain. The digitization project, supported by the Shri Ashapuran Parshvanath Jain Gyanbhandar, aims to preserve and make accessible rare and ancient Jain manuscripts, including this astrological work.

Key Content and Themes:

The text appears to be a comprehensive guide to astrological principles and practices, covering a wide range of topics relevant to predicting auspicious and inauspicious times, understanding planetary influences, and their effects on human life and activities.

Key Sections and Their Content (based on the Table of Contents and initial chapters):

Invocation and Introduction:
- The work begins with invocations to Jain deities (Jineshwar Prabhu) and the Goddess Saraswati, reflecting Jain traditions.
- Pandit Bhagwandas Jain, the translator and commentator, expresses joy in presenting this work to readers.
- He notes the lack of historical information about the original author but acknowledges their profound knowledge of astrology and their Jain identity based on the mangalacharan.
- The text mentions that the current version is only the "first prakirna" (section or chapter) and that the complete text was not available to the translator.
- The original language is Prakrit, and the Hindi translation aims to make it accessible to a wider audience.
Astrological Concepts and Calculations:
- Tithi (Lunar Days): Details the names and auspiciousness of various lunar days (Pratipada, Dwitiya, etc.) in both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) phases. It discusses auspicious and inauspicious timings based on specific tithis and their combinations with days.
- Dagdha Tithis: Identifies "burnt" tithis (Ravidagdha and Chandradagdha) which are considered inauspicious due to specific planetary positions (Sun or Moon in certain Rashi/Nakshatra combinations).
- Krur Tithi (Cruel Tithi): Discusses specific tithis that are considered unfavorable for auspicious activities, often determined by the Sun's position in different Rashi quadrants and parts.
- Var Dwara (Days): Categorizes the seven days of the week into gentle/auspicious (Saurya, Somya) and harsh/inauspicious (Krur).
- Planetary Strength: Explains which planets are strong for specific activities like travel, education, meetings, marriage, war, etc.
- Chowghadiya (Auspicious Time Blocks): Details the auspicious time blocks within each day of the week.
- Hora (Time Periods): Describes the concept of "Hora" (a specific period of time within a day) and their auspiciousness for day and night.
- Tanu Pada Chhaya Lagna and Abhijit Lagna: Discusses methods for determining auspicious timings based on the length of one's shadow (Chhaya Lagna) and the concept of Abhijit Lagna, which are used for performing auspicious deeds even when standard timings are unfavorable.
- Nakshatras (Lunar Mansions): Lists all 27 Nakshatras, discusses their categorization (Char, Sthir, Krur, etc.), and explains how their "star count" (Tara Sankhya) can indicate inauspicious tithis.
- Yoga (Planetary Combinations): Explains various yogas formed by combinations of tithi, day, and nakshatra, categorizing them as auspicious (Shubh), inauspicious (Ashubh), or having specific effects like death (Mrityu Yoga), affliction (Kan Yoga), etc. This includes detailed descriptions of specific yogas like:
  - Vajra Yoga, Visha Yoga
  - Sthira Yoga
  - Sarvank Yoga
  - Ravi Yoga (considered very auspicious)
  - Raj Yoga
  - Kumar Yoga
  - Jwalajmukhi Yoga
  - Ashubh Yoga
  - Shubh Yoga
  - Amrit Siddhi Yoga (auspicious but with some exceptions for certain activities)
  - Vish Yoga (inauspicious combinations)
  - Ardha Prahar Yoga
  - Kalavelayoga
  - Kulika Yoga
  - Upakulika Yoga
  - Kantaka Yoga
  - Karkata Yoga
  - Yamaghanta Yoga
  - Utpat Yoga
  - Mrityu Yoga
  - Kana Yoga
  - Siddha Yoga
  - Vajramusala Yoga
  - Tripushkara Yoga
  - Samvartaka Yoga
  - Shula Yoga
  - Shatru Yoga
  - Bhasma Yoga
  - Danda Yoga
  - Kalamukhi Yoga
- Hoda Chakra, Vatsa Chakra, Shiva Chakra: Discusses specific astrological cycles or diagrams used in calculations.
- Tithi, Var, Nakshatra Correlations: Explains how these three elements combine to create auspicious or inauspicious timings for various activities.
- Bhagya (Fortune/Luck): Discusses the influence of planetary positions on fortune.
Applications of Astrology:
- Muhurta (Auspicious Timings): Provides guidelines for selecting auspicious times for various activities such as travel (Prasthana Muhurta), starting new ventures, housewarming, marriages, religious ceremonies, and even hair cutting (Kshaur Karma Muhurta).
- Directional Influences (Disha Shula): Details how specific directions become inauspicious based on tithi, nakshatra, and day, and suggests remedies.
- Breath and Nasal Passage Astrology (Swar Yoga): Discusses the significance of the breath (left or right nostril functioning) and its correlation with planetary influences and predictions for gender of offspring, auspiciousness of actions, and even predicting outcomes.
- Vatsa Chakra and Shiva Chakra: Discusses their significance in determining auspiciousness for actions and travel.
- Snake and Scorpion Yoga: Mentions the interpretation of specific astrological combinations.
- Sneezing (Chik Vichar): Interprets sneezes based on direction and time for predicting events.
- Victory Muhurta (Vijaya Muhurta): Discusses specific timings considered victorious for endeavors.
- Bhadra (Vishti Karan): Explains the concept of Bhadra, its various positions (in heaven, earth, or underworld), its auspiciousness based on the month and phase of the moon, and its implications for activities. It also notes exceptions when Bhadra is not considered inauspicious.
- Kumbha Chakra: A cyclical diagram with constellations and their interpretations.
- Yamadamshtra Yoga: Discusses specific inauspicious yogas.
- Cara Yoga: Discusses "moving" yogas.
- Tithi Kala Pasha & Vara Kala Pasha: Discusses time-based directional constraints.
- Tara Bala: Explains the concept of star strength and its classification (uttam, madhyam, adham) for auspicious timings.
- Rashi Bala: Discusses the strength of planets in different zodiac signs.
- Planetary Transits (Shubhashubh): Analyzes the auspicious and inauspicious effects of each planet (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu) based on their position relative to the natal Moon.
- Planetary Rashi Placement: Details how long each planet stays in a zodiac sign.
- Navagraha Paye (Navamsa): Discusses the duration of a planet in each Navamsa (a subdivision of a Rashi).
- Planetary Influence in a Rashi: Explains when planets are influential in the beginning, middle, or end of a Rashi.
- Retrograde Planets (Vakri) and Transits (Atichara): Discusses the effects of planets going retrograde and their speed.
- Chakra Calculations: Explains the concept of "Chakras" (circular diagrams) for analyzing the influence of planets like Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu based on their positions relative to the birth Nakshatra.

Significance of the Work:

Comprehensive Astrological Knowledge: "Jyotishsara Prakrit" appears to be a detailed compendium of Jain astrological knowledge, covering a broad spectrum of predictive techniques and auspicious timings.
Jain Perspective on Astrology: It offers a Jain viewpoint on astrological practices, often integrating spiritual and ethical considerations.
Preservation of Ancient Texts: The digitization effort highlights the importance of preserving ancient Jain literature, which contains valuable insights into various traditional sciences and philosophies.
Practical Guidance: The text provides practical guidance for individuals seeking to understand astrological influences and make informed decisions about auspicious timings for various life events.

This summary provides a broad overview based on the provided text. The actual "Jyotishsara Prakrit" likely contains much more detailed explanations, calculations, and specific astrological rules within its Prakrit original.