(   115   )
 

CHAPTEE   LX.
 

ON   THE   PARVAN.
 

The intervals between which an eclipse may happen Page 258.
and  the  number  of  their  lunations  are  sufficiently ^i^thftlrm^
demonstrated in the sixth chapter of Almagest.    The ^'"''"'"'
Hindus call a period of time at the beginning and end
of which there occur lunar eclipses, parvan.    The fol¬
lowing information on the subject is taken from the
Samhitd.    Its author, Varahamihira, says: " Each six Quotation

. T      /.                                    .          , .   ,                 ,.                       -                     from Vara-

months lorm o,parvan, m which an eclipse may happen, hamihira's
These eclipses form a cycle of seven, each of which has chap"v"'
a particular dominant and prognostics, as exhibited in ^^ ^^"
the following table :—
 

Number

of the

Parvans.
 

1
 

2
 

3
 

4
 

5
 

6
 

7
 

Domi¬
nants
of the
Parvans.
 

Brahman.
 

Sa^in,
i.e. the
Moon.
 

Indra,

the
Euler.
 

Kubera,
the Pro¬
tector
of the
North.
 

Varuna,
the Pro¬
tector
of the
Water.
 

Agni, the

Fire, also

called

Mitra-

khya.
 

Yam a,

the
Angel of
Death.
 

Their prognostics.
 

Favourable   to   the   Brahmans;
the cattle is thriving, the crops
are  flourishing,   and  there is
general well-being and safety.
 

The same as in the first Parvan,
but rain  is scarce in it, and
scholars are ill.
 

The   kings    become   estranged
from   each   other,   safety  de¬
clines, and the autumnal crops
are ruined.
 

There is abundance and wealth ;
rich   people   ruin   their   pro¬
perty.
 

Not   favourable   to   kings,   but
favourable to others ; the crops
are flourishing.
 

There is much water, tine crops,
general well-being and safety ;
pestilence  and  mortality  are
declining.
 

Rain is scarce, the crops perish,
and this leads to famine.