Verse 1 — Brahma inscribed fate on foreheads
[Sanskrit source not available — IAST only] lalāṭeṣu khalu vidvadbhir amunā likhitāni yāni ca bhagavatā vidhinā viśeṣaiḥ | karmaṇāṃ phalānugṛhītāni tāni prajñānair horāvid abhidhatte ||
lalāṭeṣu khalu vidvadbhir amunā likhitāni yāni ca bhagavatā vidhinā viśeṣaiḥ | karmaṇāṃ phalānugṛhītāni tāni prajñānair horāvid abhidhatte ||
The Creator Brahma has written on the foreheads of all living beings their fates, which are deciphered by the astrologers through their pure insight.
Verse 2 — Origin of the word Hora from Ahoratra
[Sanskrit source not available — IAST only] ahorātra-ādy-anta-mamaṃ parihṛtya madhye yad ucyate | tad ahorātram ity evaṃ horety abhidhīyate ||
ahorātra-ādy-anta-mamaṃ parihṛtya madhye yad ucyate | tad ahorātra ity evaṃ horety abhidhīyate ||
The first and last letters in the word Ahoratra are removed and the word Hora is thus born and has come to exist.
Verse 3 — Horasastra as the science of Karma's effects
[Sanskrit source not available — IAST only] karma-phala-prakāśakāṃ vidyāṃ kecid ahorātram āhuḥ | lagnaṃ ardharcaṃ tathā kecid horāṃ pariccakṣate ||
karma-phala-prakāśakāṃ vidyāṃ kecid ahorātram āhuḥ | lagnaṃ ardharcaṃ tathā kecid horāṃ pariccakṣate ||
Some scholars say Horasastra is indicative of effects of one's Karma, i.e. fate. Some call Lagna, or half of a Rasi, as Hora.
Verse 4 — Horasastra is the practical science of horoscopy
[Sanskrit source not available — IAST only] prayoge tu jñeyam ity āhur horā-śāstraṃ vicakṣaṇāḥ | daiva-jñānaṃ vā daivaṃ vā vinirdiṣṭaṃ kathañcana ||
prayoge tu jñeyam ity āhur horā-śāstraṃ vicakṣaṇāḥ | daiva-jñānaṃ vā daivaṃ vā vinirdiṣṭaṃ kathañcana ||
In practice the science relating to horoscope is called Horasastra. Hora is capable of analyzing the destiny.
Verse 5 — Horasastra is the only vessel for worldly success
[Sanskrit source not available — IAST only] arthārjane 'kṛtrimā tu na kaścit pratyayaḥ kutaḥ | āpad-plaveva durghasyā gamane mantrivad eva ca ||
arthārjane 'kṛtrimā tu na kaścit pratyayaḥ kutaḥ | āpad-plaveva durghasyā gamane mantrivad eva ca ||
Barring this Horasastra there is no device to help one earn money, to help, as a boat, to cross the ocean of unexpected situations and to serve, as an advisor in journey.