AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

Introduction
The origin of Vedic Astrology has always been camouflaged in myths and legends. Although the ancient sages had a purpose of doing so but as time progressed the legends started being misinterpreted and the original message began to lose its worth.

People became fanatic followers (signified by the headless Ketu, the south node of the Moon) of the legends. Questioning (signified by Saturn) and logical analysis (signified by Mars) became a taboo in the orthodox cults of astrological tradition.

However, this lack of logical thinking itself was the cause of the downfall of this ancient knowledge. Generations became questioning and when they saw that certain things did not make sense and no one was ready to answer those critical questions, there was loss of trust in the ancient knowledge (mistrust signified by Rahu which always taints the true knowledge signified by Jupiter).

One such question which has baffled the Vedic Astrologers for generations was the identity of the one of the greatest and most illustrious authors of Vedic astrology called Parasara. His work, Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra is considered to be the bible of Vedic astrology. Some even crown him with the title of Father of Vedic astrology.

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

The Legend
Popularly accepted notion about the lineage of Parasara is given as a graphical chart below

Brahma

Vashishtha

Shakti

Parasara Vyasa

Brahma, the creator of the Universe and everything in it, having created the Universe felt lonely (Saturn is the planet that gives the feeling of isolation and fear from it) and wanted to have someone to share his bounty with. He decided on creating his children (Jupiter signifies children, joy and happiness and Venus signifies companionship). His children, although mind-born were born from a specific activity/part of Brahmas body. Vashishtha was born from the breath of Brahma. Breath is signified by Saturn as it governs longevity.

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

The image above is a depiction of Brahmarshi Vashishtha in his ashram.

Vashishtha had a many sons and most illustrious of them was Shakti. Shakti along with his many brothers was devoured by a demon when passing through a forest. Here, one should note that Vashishtha was born of Brahmas breath and so there is no doubt about his longevity but the Saturn (as signified by breath) is not a kind planet when it comes to progeny and invariably gives separation from loved ones. After death of Shakti, Vashishtha became extremely depressed and was at the verge of committing suicide (another trait of Saturn is depression and suicidal tendencies) when on advice from Narada (the celestial traveler sage and another son of Brahma), he did tremendous tapasya (again Saturn signifies capability of tremendous penance) and worshipped the goddess Tara (a Mahavidya, form of the eternal Mother). Tara (removes the obstruction of Jupiter, which in Vashishthas case was death of children) did not grant him a child but blessed him with an ever illustrious grandson. This grandson was the great Parasara. Vashishtha, one day, heard the infant Parasara chanting Vedic hymns inside the womb of his mother, Ardisyanti. After this event, Vashishtha foresaw the authenticity of Parasara's gifts and the truth behind Taras blessings. Parasara learned astrology from Maharisi Saunka who had in turn received instruction from Narada, the son of Brahama. Once Parasara, on hearing the story of his fathers death, became furious and started a great penance to destroy all the demons of the world. All demons began to die and finally on advice from Brahma, Vashishtha had to intervene and pacify Parasara by saying that his fathers death was destiny and that demons are also as much part of creation as was humans. Only after the soothing words from Vashishtha did Parasara stop his penance (some texts say he conducted a great yajna, in other words a fire sacrifice).

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

This episode clearly shows a dominant Mars (anger) and a soothing Jupiter (obedience to his grandfather) in Parasara. Besides being a sage (signified by a predominant Jupiter), Parasara was also a mendicant (signified by Ketu) who walked with a limp (signified by Saturn). On one of his journeys across a river, he perceived that it was a propitious time to conceive a child. Thus, Parasara chose the maiden Satyvati, daughter of a ferryman, to sire a child with him. Parasara shrouded the ferry with a foggy mist as to hide the unorthodox intimacy between Satyvati and himself. As a boon to Satyavati for coupling (the orthodox opinion is that there was no physical coupling) with him, Parasara removed her fishy odor, and replaced it with a sweet smell. He also blessed Satyavati that she would regain her virginity after the birth of her child. The son born to them was Vyasa, who later went on to compose 18 Puranas including the epic Mahabrahata. Satyavati was later married to the lunar dynasty king Shantanu. It was Vyasa (also called Krishna Dwaipayan) who was requested by Satyavati to mate with (bless) her daughter-in-laws, so that they could have children. This was because Satyavatis and Shantanus children all died without giving an heir to the royal throne. It was thus Vyasas grandchildren (Parasaras great grandchildren) who were the Kauravas and Pandavas (the great Arjuna of Mahabharta who had the Krishna as his charioteer) and who fought on either side on the great battle of Mahabharata.

The image above shows Vyasa (Krishna Dwaipayana) dictating the epic Mahabharata to Sri Ganesh, who is said to have scribed the epic. The legend surrounding Parasaras death has him being devoured, consumed, or merging into a pack of wolves (Mars), his escape from them thwarted due to his limp.

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

The Doubt
We find records of Vashishtha in Ramayana, an epic story on the life of prince Rama, as being the Kula Guru (Guru of the lineage) of the solar dynasty (also called Ishwaku dynasty). The accepted birth date of Rama is January 10, 5114 BCE. Vashishtha taught Rama and Rama regarded Vashishtha as his Guru. We find records of Vyasa, the son of Parasara, in Mahabharata. Mahabharata is an epic story on the battle between the cousins of the lunar dynasty and life record of Krishna. Vyasa is mentioned in the epic as being the father of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidura. Vyasa was a contemporary of Krishna and there are numerous encounters between the two and Krishna bowing down to Vysasa as an acknowledgement of his learning and spiritual powers. The accepted birth date of Krishna is July 21, 3228 BCE. There is however, some controversy on the month being June or July and the year being either 3228 BCE or 3227 BCE. However, that question is not of importance here. If we were to believe the story of lineage of Parasara as the one stated above, we would see a span of 4 generations in almost 2000 years. This somehow doesnt seem correct based on scientific theories of life expectancies. Even if humans lived much longer (100-120 years) in ancient times, this span of time does not make much sense. There is another question on the accepted lineage of Parasara. Vishwamitra and Vashistha were contemporary sages. There are numerous stories about the encounters between Viswamitra and Vashistha in the puranas and the itihas (Ramayan and Mahabharata). The great lunar dynasty king Dushyanta married Shakuntala, the daughter of sage Vishwamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka. The linage of Dushyanta is given below: - Bharata, son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala - Bhumanyu - Vrihatkshatra - Suhotra - Hasti - Ajmeedh - Riksha - Sanwaran - Kuru, founder of the city of Kurukshetra. - Abhishyantu
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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

- Parikshit - Janmejaya - Surath - Vidurath - Riksh II - Bhimsen - Prateep - Shantanu married firstly Ganga and secondly Satyavati. Thus we see that, in round about the same time span, we can account for eighteen generations from the time of Vishwamitra to that of Shantanu and only four generations from Vashistha to Vyasa! This does indicate that something is not correct in the lineage of the historical Parasara.

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 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 Hora Shastra Parashara (BPHS) as a foundational text. Perhaps carbon dating of the oldest extant copy of the BPHS might subvert a literalistic reading of Parasaras life and the alleged antiquity of the BPHS, one which dates its origins 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 its 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.

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AIAC A Search for the Historical Parasara

Some of the following verses have been attributed to Parasara.

Quote I - Page 24, Adbutasagara, 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 doesnt 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, Adbutasagara, 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 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 12:47 PM EST. Sun would be in Moola nakshatra on this day (sidereal calendar).

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The condition for the Quote II could have been possible anytime between 380-400 BCE. The condition for the Quote I (winter solstice in Shravana) could have been possible anytime between 400-1100 BCE. If we are to believe this classic, then the quote made by the Parasara in this classic cannot be the same Parasara who live between 5000-3000 BCE. The above quotes also precisely indicates 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 same tradition of astrological family? Could it be that Parasara rather than an individual was a seat of astrological reverence which 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 the probability of such a case with Parasara is also very much possible. A very important clue about the prevalent jytoish (vedic astrology) tradition is given 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 for 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 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 inquiryuniting cultures and generations of astrological scholars. Each generation participating in the archetype is altered by what has come before and in turn shapes or effects what will come to be.

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However, irrespective of the fact that 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. ~ Ancient Indian Astrology Classes August 11, 2009 19:00 hrs CST Chicago, IL http://www.ancientindianastrologyclasses.com http://aiaclasses.blogspot.com

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