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CHAPTER LXXX.
ON THE INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES OF HINDU ASTROLOGY,
WITH A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THEIR METHODS OF
ASTROLOGICAL CALCULATIONS.
Our fellow-believers in these (Muslim) countries are Indian
astrology
not acquainted with the Hindu methods of astrolosfv, unknown
^ _ _ "•' among
and have never had an opportunitv of studvinef an Mubam-
. ^ '' ./o madans.
Indian book on the subject. In consequence, they
imagine that Hindu astrology is the same as theirs and
relate all sorts of things as being of Indian origin, of
which we have not found a single trace with the
Hindus themselves. As in the preceding part of this
our book we have given something of everything, we
shall also give as much of their astrological doctrine as
will enable the reader to discuss questions of a similar
nature with them. If we were to give an exhaustive
representation of the subject, this task would detain us Page 302.
very long, even if we limited ourselves to delineate
only the leading principles and avoided all details.
First, the reader must know that in most of their
prognostics they simply rely on means like auguring
from the flight of birds and physiognomy, that they do
not—as they ought to do—draw conclusions, regarding
the affairs of the sublunary world, from, the seconds
(sic) of the stars, which are the events of the celestial
sphere.
Kegarding the number seven as that of the planets, ^i"j^g\®g
there is no difference between us and them. They call
them grctlia. Some of them are throughout lucky, viz.