The 'Historical' Parasara

Thus, we see that, there are two levels at which we can approach the identity of Parasara; one is based in a long-standing mythos, the other found through more empirical means (i.e., carbon dating of extant Parasahri texts, analysis of the Sanskrit style of the texts, etc.).

We already discussed the more orthodox origin of the lineage of Parasara.

Another idea is that Parasara was not simply one single historical personage or mythic being of theistic lineage, but rather a powerful archetype of a jyotishi hierophant who, along with his eager disciple Maitreya, has influenced many successive generations of teachers and students, especially those who consult the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra (BPHS) as a foundational text. Perhaps carbon dating of the oldest extant copy of the BPHS might subvert a literalistic reading of Parasara’s life and the alleged antiquity of the BPHS, one which dates its origins at around 3,000 BC (the so called "Vedic" era).

Was it an astrologer named "Parasara Bhatt" or "Ramakrishna Bhatt" who collected (complied) astrological lore from separate Indian traditions and then organized them in what we now call the BPHS? Why does the BPHS contain technical astrology terms of Hellenistic origins (i.e., Kendra, Kona, Apoklima) if it’s a book of "immortal" teachings of divine revelation?

To look into this from a different perspective, we need to look at a more technical work called Adbhutasagara by the king of Bengal Vallalasena (early 12th century CE).

In this book, the author clearly notes the views of other past and contemporary astrologers on astrological revelations and more so on astronomical calculations.

Some of the following verses have been attributed to Parasara.

Quote I - Page 24, Adbhutasagara, Vallalasena

The above verse can be translated as: "When Uttarayana (winter solstice) starts before Sun reaches the fixed star Sravana (Alpha Aquiloe) and Dakshinayana (summer solstice) starts before the Sun reaches the fixed star Aslesha (Alpha Hydroe) then such an event can cause great fear."

Although the above verse doesn’t indicate that during the said period, winter solstice always occurred during the transit of Sun in Sravana, it does indicate the probability of such an event happening and Parasara does mention such an event to be a matter of great fear.

Quote II - Page 26, Adbhutasagara, Vallalasena

The above verse can be translated as: "One should estimate Uttarayana (winter solstice) only after the Sun has transited the fixed star Uttarashad (Sigma sagittari)"

Parasara mentions in the above verse that until the Sun transits Uttarashad, one should not estimate winter solstice.

Taking into account the precession of the equinoxes, we can deduce that neither during the era of Vashishtha of Ramayana nor during the era of Vyasa of Mahabharata did winter solstice take place in the fixed star as mentioned in the above verses in the classic Adbhutasagara.

In 2009 CE, the winter solstice would take place on December 21, 2009, at 12:47 p.m. EST. The Sun would be in Moola nakshatra on this day (sidereal calendar).

The condition for the Quote II could have been possible any time between 380 and 400 BCE.

The condition for the Quote I (winter solstice in Shravana) could have been possible any time between 400 and 1100 BCE.

If we are to believe this classic, then the quote made by the Parasara in this classic cannot be the same Parasara who lived between 5000 and 3000 BCE.

The above quotes also precisely indicate that ancient sages were aware of the fact of "precession of the equinoxes" and knew the method to apply the corrective measures to take the deviation into account.

Could it be that the Parasara mentioned in Adbutasagara by the Bengal king Vallalasena (12th century CE) was not the same Parasara who is said to have authored "Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra" but instead belonged to the same tradition of astrological family?

Could it be that Parasara, rather than being an individual, was a seat of astrological reverence that was occupied by individuals who may have belonged to a single tradition?

Vishnu Puran and Srimad Bhagvatam clearly state that each age has its own Vyasa. If that is accepted, then such a case with Parasara is also very possible.

An important clue about the prevalent jyotish (Vedic astrology) tradition is given in the classic authored by Parasara himself – Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra. The classic is written in a form of a dialogue between two individuals, one the Guru as Parasara and the disciple or student as Maitreya.

The meaning of the word "Maitreya" is also very interesting. The meaning of the word is "universal friend," one who shows the path of righteousness to the world. Maitreya is also associated with the next Buddha or even Yeshwa (Jesus). However, the name is also mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as a sage who is often visited by Vidura seeking advice.

Could it be that Parasara of the classic as the Guru and Maitreya as the student are roles that anyone can fit into? Is it possible that Parasara is like a title or seat of honor rather an individual? We know from ancient classics that there surely were more than one Parasara, historically. They could have belonged to a same tradition, a tradition where one among the "Maitreyas" (meaning student, signified by Mercury) evolved as a "Parasara" (Guru, signified by Jupiter) for the next generation.

Since jyotish was an oral tradition (shruti), the value of the "Parasara/Maitreya" as the hierophant (guru)/disciple archetype, irrespective of the historical truth or antiquity of such a pairing, can exist as a "living link," a transpersonal "container" of biological urge, desire, and accumulated inquiry, uniting cultures and generations of astrological scholars. Each generation participating in the archetype is altered by what has "come before" and in turn shapes or affects what will come to be.

However, irrespective of whether Parasara was an individual or a tradition or a seat of astrological power, he surely deserves our utmost respect for putting together the bible of Vedic astrology and giving us the path to begin the endless journey of jyotish.

Other classics attributed to Parasara are Dharma Shastra (book on importance of religion and ethical code of conduct), Parasara Samhita, and Parasara Smitri.

This is the last in a series of four articles. View the first, second, and third installments.

Souvik Dutta is the Guru of the Ancient Indian Astrology Classes. He holds regular classes and consultations in various institutes in and around Chicago.

www.ancientindianastrologyclasses.com
www.aiaclasses.blogspot.com
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