________________
116
A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
usual direction ( viďdara ); (iv) when the planet is attacked by another planet (saggaha) ; (v) the time of solar and lunar eclipses ( Rahuhata ); (vi) when a third planet is in line with the sun and the other planet (vilambi); (vii) a planet which crosses the path followed by another planet (gahabhinna). 1 These situations of the planets were supposed to precipitate dispute ( kalaha ), lack of proper food ( kubhatta ), victory of the enemy ( paravijava ), lack of salvation ( anivvāņa ), fight (viggaha), death ( maraña) and blood-shed ( soniuggala ) respectively.2 The planets like Ravi, Soma, Agara (Mamgala), Buha, Vihassati, Sukka and Sanicchara were supposed to be auspicious for the Zodiacs (rasi) like Mesa, Vasabha, Magara, Kanna, Kakkada, Mina and Tula respectively. Among the planets Buha, Sukka, Vihassati and Sasi were always considered auspicious.
Due cansideration was given to the place ( khetta ) and direction ( disa ) also. The places, which produced lower variety of food-grains, lacked in vegetation and mineral resources, were considered to be inauspicious, while the places where there was abundance of food-grains, mineral resources with plentiful of raw metals and precious stones, were regarded as auspicious. At the time when a pupil was to be initiated, he was required to sit facing the east,' while the preceptor used to sit opposite to the pupil. Similar consideration in respect of direction was also kept in view before the dead bodies of the monks were cremated.
Besides the astronomical conditions, certain natural occurences were also taken to indicate good or evil omens (sauna, Skt. sakuna). Meeting a person clad in dirty or unclean clothes or anointed with oil, a dog, a hunch-back, a dwarf, one wear
1. N. Bhā. 6384; NC. 4, p. 301. 2. N. Bhā. 8385-86; NC. 4, pp. 301-2. 3. NC. 4, p. 302. 4. Ibid. 5. NC. 4, p. 301. 6. NC. 4, p. 302. 7. Ibid.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
