JATAKA PARIJATA, By Vaidyanatha Dikshita is a magnum opus which is very popular in south India. It was completed in the year 1347 Śaka/1482 Vikram Saṃvat i.e. in the year 1426 A.D. It is based on various earlier works such as Garga Horā, Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra, Śrīpati-Paddhati, Sārāvalī, Bṛhat Jātaka, Sarvārtha Cintāmaṇi etc.
Translated by Late V. Subramanya Sastri
Adhyaya I
The properties of signs
Sloka. l. Having bowed to the Sun, the Lord of day, who is of the nature of Vishnu, the beloved of the Godderts Sri, Brahbman and Siva, who is the sovereign of the hosts of immortal lights, who transcends Maya, Prakriti and who rules all animate worlds, I am going to expound Jataka Parijata to the joy of all astrologers epitomising the starry influence treated by Garga, Parasara and others.
SIoka 2. I, the talented Vaidyanacha, the son of the learned Venkatadri, a descendant of the Bharadwaja family and a proficient in the Science of Astrology, set forth in regular order the whole matter (of Astrology) commencing with the definitions of the zodiacal positions to afford mental enjoyment to the multitude of wise men who appreciate the nectarous sweets of astrological truths.
Sloka. 3. Prostrating myself at the lotus feet ofthe Lord of Raghus which the bard community have to salute (in undertaking. anything auspicious) I prepare the work of Jatakaparijata, abridging the important scientific work Saravali.
Slokas 4 to 6 and first quarter of Sloka 7: The first sign, astrologers style as Mesha, Aja, Viswa, Kriya, Tumbura or Adya, the second as Vrishabha, Uksha, Go, Tavuru cr Gokula; the third as Dwandwa, Nriyugma, Jutuma, Yama, Yuga or Mithuna; the fourth as Kulira, Karkataka or Karkta; the fifth as Kanthirava, Simha, Mrigendra or Leya; the sixth as Pathona, Kanya, Ramani or Taruni, the seventh as Thauli, Vanik, Juka, Thula; or Dhata; the eighth as Ali. Vrischika, Kaurpi or Kita; the ninth as Dhanus, Chapa or Sarasana; the tenth as Mriga, Mrigasya, Makara or Nakra; the eleventh as Kumbha, Ghata or Thoyadhara; and the twelfth as Meena, Anthya, Mathsya, Prithurorna or Jhasha.
The following are the Latin names for the several zodiacal signs from Mesha onwards :
Mesha … Aries
Vrishabha … Taurus
Mithuna … Gemini
Kataka … Cancer
Simha … Leo
Kanya …Virgo
Tula … Libra
Vrischika . ..Scorpio
Dhanus …. Sagittarius
Makara … Capricorn
Kumbha … Aquarius
Meena ….. Pisces
