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Brihat Jataka — Chapter 3: Viyonijanmādhyāyaḥ: Animal & Vegetable Births (वियोनिजन्माध्यायः)

Sanskrit verses with English translation from Varahamihira. Read the full classical treatise on AstroFusion Learning.

Chapter audio (Sanskrit)

Verse 1 — Conditions for Non-Human Nativity

क्रूरग्रहैः सुबलिभिर्बलवद्भिश्च सौम्यैः क्लीवे चतुष्पदगते तदवेक्षणाद्वा । चन्द्रोपगद्विरसभासमानरूपं सत्त्वं वदेद्यदि भवेत्स वियोनिसंज्ञः ॥ १ ॥

krūragrahaiḥ subalibhirbalavadbhiśca saumyaiḥ klīve catuṣpadagate tadavekṣaṇādvā | candropagadvirasabhāsamānarūpaṃ sattvaṃ vadedyadi bhavetsa viyonisaṃjñaḥ || 1 ||

Non-human birth is determined when malefics are potent and benefics weak in hermaphrodite signs. The exact species corresponds to the Moon's Dwadasamsha.

Verse 2 — Sign Indicators for Trees, Plants, and Creepers

वृक्षाणां मूलशाखादिराशितो ज्ञायते बुधैः । स्थिरराशौ तरुप्रायं चरे शाकादि निर्दिशेत् ॥ २॥

vṛkṣāṇāṃ mūlaśākhādirāśito jñāyate budhaiḥ | sthirarāśau taruprāyaṃ care śākādi nirdiśet ||

Roots, branches, flowers, and fruits of vegetation are deduced from the zodiacal signs by the wise; a fixed sign indicates a stately long-lived tree, while a movable sign indicates tender greens, annual crops, or creepers.

Verse 3 — Signs and Planets Indicating Animals of Land, Sky, and Water

चतुष्पदगतैः पापैः पशूनां जायते भवः । विहङ्गानां तु खेचर्या जलजैर्जलचारिणाम् ॥ ३॥

catuṣpadagataiḥ pāpaiḥ paśūnāṃ jāyate bhavaḥ | vihaṅgānāṃ tu khecaryā jalajairjalacāriṇām ||

When malefic planets occupy quadruped signs, the birth of quadrupeds (cattle, horses, wild beasts) takes place; when occupying winged signs, birds are born; and in aquatic signs, creatures of water come forth.

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