Hora Sara (Unique Work For Prediction) [Back In Print] By R.Santhanam [RP]

FOREWORD

Horasara is a great classic on astrology. The author Prithu

Yasas, as he acknowledges at the end of each chapter of this book, is no other than the son of the immortal Varahamihira - Sri Varahamihira Sutra

The work, perhaps one of the best classics, as the name implies, gives the essence of Hora or Astrology. In fact Hora is generally equated with Mihira's Brihat Jataka and the implication is clear that the author gives the essence of Brihat Jataka in his own inimitable style

The English translation presented by Mr. R. Santhanam, is not verbatim but it conveys the spirit of the original author in simple and easily understandable English language. I must say that in this arduous task of translating a technical work from a highly developed language like Sanskrit into a modern develop ing language like English Mr. Santhanam has acquitted himself well

Clarity and brevity have been well preserved.

This is not just a translation. Copious notes have been given to elucidate doubtful or difficult stanzas so that the reader can understand the subject without much difficulty

The late Mr. V. Subrahmanya Sastri, an esteemed friend of mine, has no doubt brought out a translation of Horasara as early as 1949. But the presentation of Mr. Santhanam is more appeal ing for two reasons viz, thé translation is to the point and the English terms are nearer to the original. For instance the word Kalala (Ch 4 St. 14) is translated by Mr. Sastry as foetus, whereas Mr. Santhanam has used the word embryo which is more appro

pirate The Pancha Mahapurusha yogas have also been explained elaborately

Horasara is a classic of importance and more or less a com plete text-book in itself meriting a place in all astrological library- ies.