Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra (वृहत्पाराशरहोराशास्त्रम्)

Introduction & Vedic Lineage

The Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra (BPHS) stands as the indisputable fountainhead of Vedic astrological lore (Brihat Jyotish). Composed in classical Sanskrit anuṣṭubh verse dialogue between the revered sage Maharishi Parashara and his devoted disciple Maitreya, this encyclopedic treatise codifies the laws of karma, cosmic planetary forces (Grahas), zodiacal signs (Rashis), and celestial houses (Bhavas).

Maitreya initiates the dialogue with a profound cosmological question:

“O venerable sage, master of past, present, and future! Kindly instruct me in the divine science of Jyotisha, that mortals subject to the fruits of their karmas may attain wisdom and clarity.”

Parashara responds by expounding the divine descent of Vishnu into the planetary avatars (Rama as the Sun, Krishna as the Moon, Narasimha as Mars, Buddha as Mercury, Vamana as Jupiter, Parashurama as Venus, Kurma as Saturn, Varaha as Rahu, and Matsya as Ketu).

Key Pillars of the Parashari System

1. The Shodashavargas (16 Divisional Charts)

Parashara presents the mathematics and interpretation of the sixteen divisional charts (Vargas), demonstrating that an astrological chart is multi-dimensional:

• Rashi (D1): General physical existence and gross manifestations.
• Hora (D2): Wealth, vitality, and solar/lunar balance.
• Drekkana (D3): Siblings, courage, and vitality.
• Navamsha (D9): The supreme divisional chart for dharma, spouse, inner potential, and fruition of karma.
• Dashamsha (D10): Profession, status, and societal impact.
• Saptavimshamsha (D27) & Trishamsha (D30): Strengths, afflictions, and karmic burdens.
• Shashtiamsha (D60): Fine past-life karmic root causes, carrying the highest weight in the Vimsopaka Bala system.

2. Shadbala (Sixfold Planetary Strength)

Planets act through measurable forces categorized into six specific vectors:

1. Sthana Bala (Positional strength)
2. Dig Bala (Directional strength)
3. Kala Bala (Temporal strength)
4. Chesta Bala (Motional strength / retrogression)
5. Naisargika Bala (Natural luminosity strength)
6. Drik Bala (Aspectual strength)

3. The Vimshottari Dasha System

Parashara designates Vimshottari Dasha (the 120-year human cycle linked to the Moon’s Nakshatra at birth) as the paramount timing mechanism for Kali Yuga:

• Sun: 6 Years
• Moon: 10 Years
• Mars: 7 Years
• Rahu: 18 Years
• Jupiter: 16 Years
• Saturn: 19 Years
• Mercury: 17 Years
• Ketu: 7 Years
• Venus: 20 Years

Notable Astrological Yogas in Volume 1

• Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas: Formed by non-luminary planets in Kendras in own or exalted signs (Ruchaka, Bhadra, Hamsa, Malavya, Sasa).
• Raja Yogas: Conjunction, mutual aspect, or parivartana (exchange) between Kendra lords (quadrants of Vishnu) and Trikona lords (trines of Lakshmi).
• Dhana Yogas: Synergies connecting the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 9th, and 11th houses of accumulation and fortune.

Manuscript Status & Archival Record

This edition contains the complete Sanskrit slokas alongside faithful English translations, comprehensive notes, and worked illustrative charts. As an ancient canonical classic whose original Sanskrit text resides in the public domain, high-resolution scans of the historic translation volumes are preserved by the Internet Archive for researchers, students, and practitioners worldwide.