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Astrology in Epic Period
Astrology in Epic Period include 400 B.C. to 400 A. D. The details about the Astrology in Epic period can be derived from the ancient texts of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

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Astrology in Epic PeriodIndian epics contain horoscope details including Rahu and Ketu in them. Many references to calculations and predictive astrology are found in the epics. Ramayana and Mahabharata too have references to eclipses, the Sun, Moon, Tithis, Nakshatras, grahas, yugas. Both the epics give details of planets, stars and their significance in various places their relative strength to the characters and unlikely not as an astrological lessons like in Vedas or the Indian Puranas.

The concept of Lagna seems to have existed during the times of Ramayana. There seems to be some shlokas in Ayodhya Kanda which mentions Lord Rama to be born in Cancer Lagna. Sage Valmiki, the celebrated composer of the Ramayana, records the birth of Rama in Uttarayana (the Divine Half-year), in the Chaitra month, in the bright fortnight, on the ninth day, in the Punarvasu Nakshatra, on a Monday, and under Karka lagna. Valmiki further details the birth with various planetary positions in the zodiac

The epics some how appears to follow the Vedic path. They give us the feel that there existed a system of predictive astrology based on planetary divisions, before the zodiac systems. The astrology dealt in these two huge epics is in tune with that of Vedic knowledge.

The Mahabharata states that a singularly ominous pair of eclipses occurred in - Thirteen days - some time before the war in Kurukshetra. The Bhishma Parva and Udyoga Parva parts of Mahabharata mention some astrological descriptions and warnings just before the Mahabharata war. There is also a description of the draught with several planetary arrangements. A reference about two eclipses, occurrence of solar eclipse and lunar eclipse creating a rare thirteen day lunar fortnight.

Dhritarashtra has told, "Saturn oppresses rohini, some evil is foreboded, O King." And immediately after that, the war started where cousins killed one another. There are references to omens and Jyotish graha positions, in the Bhisma Parva section of the Mahabharata.

The Indian epics deal with astrology not as comprehensively and perfectly as depicted in Skanda Hora (Nirayana Predictive astrology) and Surya sidhanta (Nirayana astronomy). The epics have astral references but it is a section which needs thorough exploration.


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