Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Written by
Jayasree Saranathan
2012-2013.
Part 1:- Pre-Rainy season & GarbOttam.
Part 2:-Solar ingress
Part 3:- Immediate rainfall
Part 4:- Venus - Mercury transit
Part 5:- Planetary combinations
Part 6:-Stars and planets
Part 7:- Miscellany
Part 1
Pre-rainy season observation & GarbOttam
This is a series on astrological inputs on predicting rainfall in advance. I will write the articles
in such a way that any interested amateur meteorologist can make the recordings, interface
with meteorological maps and check whether the predictions do take place. I suggest that this
methodology must be recorded for atleast 5 years continuously to derive a reliable set of
factors for rainfall prediction. If anyone is doing this seriously, I request them to intimate me
the findings.
Introduction.
Rainfall prediction is considered as Purva Chitti prior wisdom, by Vedic Thought. In the
ritualistic question and answer dialogue in the course of Ashvamedha yajna, one question is
"Who is called poorvachitti?"
The reply that follows is:-
"The rain falling is called poorva chitti".
It is because the rain falling in a place is formed very much in advance under certain
conditions, knowing which one can tell in advance whether it would rain or not. Reiterating
this Varahamihira says,
"The predictions of an astronomer who pays exclusive attention, both day and night to the
indications of rain afforded by pregnant clouds, will as little fail of success as the words of
rishis.
What science can probably excel, in interest, the science relating to the prediction of rain, by
a thorough study of which one though ignorant in other matters passes for a great astrologer
in this Kaliyuga." (Brihad samhita, Chapter 21 verses 3 &4)
The authors for rainfall prediction techniques.
Sages Garga, Parasara, Kasyapa, Vatsa and others.
Books :- Brihad Samhita (Chapter 21 to 28) and Prasna Marga (Chapter 25)
Things needed:-
Knowledge of names of Lunar months and dates (thithi) and names of 27 stars of the
Vedic astrology.
Astrology software or any source which will help one to know the star in which Sun
or Moon transits on a particular day.
Round the clock observation or observation of the outside at regular intervals.
Period of observation.
From the Lunar month of Karthika until Shravana.
When to begin observation.
There are 3 dates given, two by Brihad Samhita and one by Prasna Marga. No explanation is
given by the authors for the differences. My interpretation is given in brackets.
1. The first day of the bright half of the lunar month of Karthika (Oct- Nov) Siddhasena
School (Check for the breaking of South West Monsoon in Lakshadweep or Kerala.)
2. The day Moon transits Puravashada in the bright half of Margashira (Nov- Dec) Sage
Garga (Check for the first rains in Middle or North India)
3. The day Sun enters the star Purvashada. This is occurs after 13-20 degrees in the Sign
Sagittarius. The period of 14 days starting from this is called the period of 'Conception of
rainfall' or GarbhOttam.
Importance of GarbhOttam.
The 14 day duration is the period taken by the Sun to transit the entire extent of Purvashada.
The extent of a star is 13 degrees and 20 minutes. Sun covers roughly 1 degree per day.
GarbhOttam period is the period of Sun in the entire extent of Purvashada.
Preliminary observation for the 14 day period of GarbhOttam is to check if the entire sky is
covered with dark clouds and the Sun is hidden behind the clouds.
The observation (or any observation that is being said in this article) is applicable for the
place of the observer. In olden days every village had astrologers doing that observation.
Today meteorology applies to vast regions, but the ancient Indian method helps to tell on a
day to day basis whether a particular locality would get rains or not. For that, the observer
must be available on the place continuously atleast from Margashira to Phalguni and on
specific days at other months.
If on the 1
st
day of GarbhOtta, there are dark clouds all over the sky and sun is hidden
behind, it will rain here and there and every now and then in the 14 day period when Sun will
be transiting Arudra (in Gemini)
Similarly if on the 2
nd
day of GarbhOtta, there are dark clouds all over the sky and sun is
hidden behind, it will rain here and there and every now and then in the 14 day period when
Sun will be transiting Punarvasu star (in Gemini and Cancer).
Similarly on the 3
rd
day of GarbhOtta, there are dark clouds all over the sky and sun is
hidden behind, it will rain here and there and every now and then in the 14 day period when
Sun will be transiting Pushya star (in Cancer).
Like this Sun's transit upto Moola star (prior to starting of the GarbhOtta) is noted for
rainfall.
The rationale is that each day of the GarbhOtta in Purvashada in Sagittarius will have
bearing for the duration of sun's stay in every star starting from Arudra in the month of Aani
(in tamil) / Gemini / lunar month of Jyeshta in the next year and goes upto Moola in next
Margashira.
The stars mentioned below indicate the 14 day transit of Sun in that star. Eg 1
st
day of
GarbhOtta will have an effect on 14 days of sun's transit in Arudra.
1
st
day Arudra
2
nd
day Punarvasu
3
rd
day Pushya
4
th
day Aslesha (Ayilyam)
5
th
day Magam
6
th
day Purva phalguni (Pooram)
7
th
day Uttara Phalguni (Uttaram)
8
th
day Hastha
9
th
day Chithra
10
th
day Swati
11
th
day Vishaka
12
th
day Anuradha (Anusham)
13
th
day Jyeshta (Kettai)
14
th
day - Moola.
If the sky is completely overcast for the whole day in one of these days, predict rainfall from
the day Sun enters the corresponding star.
This year GarbhOtta started yester day (28-12-2012). The whole of yesterday, the sky was
overcast in Chennai, at my place where I did the observation, right from the morning and it
rained after midnight. Rains will mar the subsequent rains after 195 days. Therefore the first
level of prediction is that there will be scattered rainfall in my place for 7 days as soon as Sun
enters Arudra. Sun enters Arudra on the early morning hours of 22
nd
June 2013. Since for the
whole day the sky was overcast, it is predicted that the first half of Arudra (7 days) would
give rains. Since it rained in the night yesterday, we can expect a less wet or dry period in the
2
nd
half of the 14 day period starting from 22
nd
June. Cloud cover is good, but rains are not
good during GarbhOtta days. It could be a drizzle but not rains.
The cloud cover continues today also. Therefore we can expect good rains once again after
Sun enters Punarvasu star (After July 6
th
).
Whether there will be good rains or not can be assessed from the following factors.
Basics factors to observe:-
1. Winds
2. Rain
3. Lightening
4. Roar of thunder
5. Appearance of clouds
Now the next step:-
In all these 14 days, the above mentioned 5 points must also be observed. Then the
observation must be continued everyday for four months until lunar month of Phalguni is
over. If any single day has all the 5 factors present, good rainfall must be predicted on the
195
th
day from the day of observation.
In other words, one must note the thithi and paksha of the day of observation. Eg:
Observation is on Dwitheeya in the dark half of Margshira. Its resultant rainfall will be on
Dwitheeya on the bright half of Jyeshta. That is 6 and a half month from the month of
observation.
If noticed in a thithi in the Bright half of moon, the result will take place on the same thithi on
the dark half of moon 6 months later.
If noticed in the morning, the resultant rain will be in the evening on that day.
If winds or clouds are noticed in a direction, the resultant rain will be in the opposite direction
on that day. Keeping this in mind one must record not only the features but also the direction
and time of the day.
Now the features to be observed:-
Note:- Applicable on day to day basis. The prediction is for the corresponding day later, on
the 195
th
day..
1. Winds:-
Gentle and agreeable wind = Good rainfall
Cool breeze from North and Northeast = good rainfall.
Heavy winds = rain clouds would gather but be shattered
Dust storm = No rains
2. Rain
In Margashira, there will be no rains. If it rains heavily, rainfall on the corresponding day
would be affected. A gentle rain or drizzle would give good rainfall on the corresponding day
after 6 and a half months.
3. Lightening
Lightening = good rainfall
Rainbow in the morning or evening = good rainfall
4. Roar of thunder
Low, rumbling roar of thunder = good rainfall
Heavy sounding thunder = rain clouds would shatter away.
5. Clouds
Sky overcast with huge, bright, dense clouds = good rainfall
Needle shaped clouds or sword shaped clouds = good rainfall
Blood red clouds = good rainfall.
Inference:-
If one any day in the months from Margashira to Phalguni, all the above 5 factors are
present, the quantity of the subsequent rainfall will be 1 Drona. (Drona is equal to 200 phalas.
Quantification in today's terms is not known. Perhaps the rainfall on those days can be
recorded and cross checked with other days when similar conditions prevailed.)
Reduce the quantity by quarter for the absence of every one factor.
Three-some observation.
1. Terrestrial
2. Atmospheric
3. Planetary.
(I) Terrestrial factors to be observed.
1. Sweet chirpings of birds.
2. Animals moving relaxedly and making pleasant sounds
3. Kids making sweet sounds and playing
4. Trees with sprouts
5. Trees grow without diseases.
(II) Atmospheric factors to be observed.
1. Clouds resembling pearl or silver colour
2. Clouds in the shape of aquatic animal, huge and dense.
3. These clouds scorched by bright sun light
4. Gentle breeze (presence of 3 and 4 together would result in torrential rain on the 195
th
day)
5. Sun and the Moon encircled by glossy, bright and thick halo.
6. Sky filled with bulky clouds or smooth needle like clouds (cirrus), or in the shape of
sword.
7. Clouds appearing in red or blue tint.
8. Pleasant twilights in morning and evening.
9. Light rumbling thunder
10. Rainbow in the lower horizon.
11. Red glow in the horizon at dawn and sun set. This must be seen only in Margashira and
Pushya months. (Solar months also)
12. Clouds with halos
Month-wise observation
In Margashira
red sun in the morning and evening,
- sky in red colour before sunrise and after sunset.
clouds surrounded by halos,
very cold.
In Pushya -
red sun in the morning and evening,
clouds surrounded by halos,
excessive snowfall.
In Magha
strong wind,
sun and moon must be dimmed by clouds or snowfall at sun rise and sun set,
fog, mist, excessive cold
-
In Phalguna
rough and violent storms
tawny colour of the sun,
broken and imperfect halos around the sun and the moon,
glossy clouds moving across the sky
The above ensure good 'conception of rainfall'.
In Chaitra and Vaishaka, sky marked by winds, clouds and halos ensure conception of rainfall
which will fall 195
th
day afterwards.
The following features in the 4 months from Margashira to Phalguni mar conception of
rainfall.
1. Meteor showers.
2. Thunderbolt
3. Dust storm
4. Appearance of city-like formation of clouds.
5. Unnatural phenomenon in the atmosphere in colour of sky, clouds etc and at sun rise
and sun set.
6. Rainfall
7. Sighting of comets
8. Eclipses
9. Spots in solar disc (sun spot maxima?)
(III) Planetary factors to be observed in the 4 month period.
Good for conception of rainfall
- Planets appearing with clear and bright disc at night
- Planets moving in Northern declinations
- Moon and stars must appear white
Planetary features marring conception of rainfall.
Eclipses ( mar rainfall later on the corresponding day)
Planetary war (where planets are close together in such a way one planet will be
crossing another.) (mars rainfall for several days in the corresponding period.)
Position of Moon during the above 4 month period.
When the above 3-some favourable features of conception are present in a day when Moon is
crossing Purvashada, Uttarashada, Purva bhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada and Rohini, the
subsequent rainfall on the 195
th
day will be abundant.
When the above 3-some favourable features of conception are present in a day when Moon is
crossing Arudra, Aslesha, Magha , Swati and Satabhishak, the subsequent rains will go on for
many days. On the contrary, if the 3 some factors are marred, there will be dryness.
If Moon crosses all the above mentioned stars with 3-some factors being present and marring
factors being absent in Margashira - would give rainfall for 8 days later (after 195 days).
In Pushya - for 6 days
In Magha -16 days
In Phalguni 24 days
In Chaitra 20 days
In Vaishaka 3 days.
Part 2
Solar ingress
In the first part, the methods of observation of meteorological factors were described.
Such observation must be done continuously on all days starting from
the solar month of Sagittarius or
the day the Sun enters Purvashada or
the day Moon transits Purvashada in the bright half of the month of Margashira.
This observation must go on until the solar month of Taurus (Tamil month of Vaikasi)
Of these the first 4 months from Sagittarius to Pisces have the bearing directly on the rainy
season of India starting from July to October. So meticulous observation is needed during
those four months for assessing the rainy season.
Now having come to the solar month of Aries, other observations begin.
In this article, I am going to tell about the effect and importance of Sun's entry into certain
signs of the zodiac and its entry into the star, Arudra. All these must be studied together to
assess the amount of rainfall.
1. First of all the Name of the New Year must be checked with its yearly predictions. The
predictions are told by the famous astrologer cum siddha of ancient days known by the name
"Idaik-kaattu siddhar" They are available in almanacs or in some Jyothish books. The yearly
prediction gives a broad outline of the nature and amount of rainfall in the ensuing year. For
example, for the present New Year Vijaya, abundant rainfall is expected. A good harvest is
also predicted ensuring a good rainfall.
2. The next step is to check the Solar ingress in Aries, In Gemini, in Cancer and in
Sagittarius.
These can be found in the Nava nayakas in the almanacs with their predictions. Though Nava
nayakas mean 9, we need to check 4 for rainfall prediction. They are as follows.
Entry of Sun into Aries :- Mantri (name of the navanayaka) for general rainfall
prediction
Entry of Sun into Gemini :- Arghadhipathi for prediction of price level of agricultural
products (since rainfall affect the agricultural produce, this is checked)
Entry of Sun into Cancer :- Sasyadhipathi for prediction of growth of crops. (reason
is same as above)
Entry of Sun into Sagittarius :- Dhanyadhipathi for prediction of grain production.
The day of the entry of Sun in these signs is to be noted. The day is from one sun rise to the
next sun rise.
If the day happens to be Monday, Thursday and Friday, very good rainfall and crop
production can be expected.
If the day happens to be Wednesday, undue winds would occur and scatter the clouds. As a
result less rains would be experienced and prices rise due to scarcity of food grains.
If the day happens to be Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday, medium rainfall would occur and
scarcity of food grains would happen as a result.
We have to check this for all the above 4 signs and arrive at the prediction connected with
each of them.
Checking for this Vijaya year, the solar ingress into Aries happened on Saturday. Though
Vijaya year assures bountiful rains, the entry of Sun on a Saturday reduces that. But we have
to see other factors too.
The entry of Sun into Gemini happens on early morning of Saturday, at 4-56 am. Since this
happens before sunrise, we have to count it as Friday only. Entry on Friday brings good rains
and the related feature namely stabilization of price level.
The entry of Sun into Cancer happens on Tuesday afternoon. This is not a favorable sign for
good rainfall.
The entry of Sun into Sagittarius happens on Sunday after midnight. This is also not a
favorable sign of good rainfall.
Of the 4, only one out of four is favorable. So less to medium rainfall can be expected as per
this rule.
3. The next rule that we have to check is the first day of the Lunar year. This day is called
Yugadhi, the day after the conjunction on Moon and the Sun that occurs before the Solar
New Year. The same rules of days as explained above must be checked for this too. In the
current year of Vijaya, the Lunar year started on a Thursday. This ensures good rainfall.
4. After this we have to check the entry of the Sun in the star Arudra. This is considered as
more important of all the entries mentioned so far. This is known as "Arudra Pravesham" . In
this in addition to day of entry, many other factors are checked. Let us see them one by one.
Day of the week:- same as explained above. This year it enters on early morning of Saturday,
before sunrise. That means the entry is on Friday. This is very good significator for good
rainfall.
Thithi at the time of entry:- 4,8,9,14 thithis give less rains. Amavasya also gives less rains.
This year 14
th
thithi will begin by the time Sun enters Arudra. This is not favourable.
Star at the time of entry:- Star means the star in which moon will be transiting at that time.
Bharani, Arudra, Aslesha, Magha, Chithra, Vishaka, Jyeshta are not favorable for good
rainfall. This year Anusha will be the star at that time. This is favourable.
Yoga at the time of entry:- This can be checked from the almanac. Atiganda, Shoola, Ganda,
Dhruvam, Vyagatam, Vyatipadam, Brahmam, Aindra and Vydhruthi are not favourable. This
year Siddham is the yoga at that time. It is favourable.
Karana at the time of entry:- Vishti, Sakuni, Chathushpaadam, Nagavam and Kimsthugnam
are not favourable. This year Thythula karanam will be running at that time. It is favourable
for good rainfall.
The Lagna at the time of entry:- This can be known from the astrology software. The lagnas
Taurus, Cancer, Libra and Pisces give good rainfall. Virgo gives stormy weather. Others are
not favourable for good rains.
The lagna must be checked for respective places. For Chennai, it is Taurus which ensures
good rainfall.
The Kala at the time of entry:- Day or night time must be checked. If it is sunset or mid-night,
there will be good rains. If it is noon or day time- less rains. If it is night - medium rainfall.
This year the entry happens at night and after mid night. More than medium rainfall is
assured by this.
Location of Moon at the time of entry:- If Moon is located at watery star, watery sign, watery
lagna and watery navamsa, there will be good rains.
Watery stars = Rohini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Uttara phalguni, Purvashada, Uttrashada, Uttara
Bhadrapada, Hastha, Anusha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhishak and Revathy.
Watery signs = Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.
After doing these observations, we have to observe the transit of planets for predicting
rainfall. We will discuss that in the next part.
Part 3
Immediate rainfall
Starting from the month of Chiththrai (solar month of Aries), sudden pre-monsoon showers
can be expected. Though they also have a connection to the meteorological conditions that
were prevalent 195 days before, there are certain tips to find out whether sudden, instant rains
can be expected shortly before that in a given place. An over-cast sky is not a sufficient
indicator for rains. When the rains are impending, the flora and fauna will behave in certain
ways. Even small kids can pick up the change in the climate for an immediate rainfall.
Nature also would look differently. In this article we will see such features written in
astrological texts. These features are known as 'Nimittha' the 'indicators'. These are relevant
in the thick of rainy season too, to know if it would rain in a few hours' time in a particular
day.
If the ants, when undisturbed and on their own accord leave their hole carrying their
eggs from place to place.
Snakes climbing trees and having sexual intercourse.
Snakes found to rest on grass blades.
Cows running home to meet their claves.
Cats scratching the ground.
Chameleons seen on top of the tree, staring at the sky.
Cows looking up at the sky or looking at the Sun.
Cocks crowing in the day.
Sheep reluctant to go out and shaking and raising their ears and kicking the ground
with their legs.
Dogs going to the top of the house and looking at the sky and crying.
Fish jump from water suddenly.
Forward movement of fish (These two indicators by fish are told in tanks and ponds.
One has to observe in Fish tank.)
Frogs croak suddenly in pre-monsoon period and incessantly in monsoon period.
Birds found to bathe in watery particles/ patches.
Tender leaves of plants and creepers found to grow with their heads (tips) pointed
towards sky.
Small children run around merrily shouting.
The cloud which appears in sun-rise or at sun-set is in the colour of peacock, parrot or
blue hues,
Or glossy as China rose or lotus,
Or in the shape of undulating waves, of mountains, of crocodiles, of bear, of fish (in
these shapes)
Or float layer over layer .
If cloud appears all around white like chalk or like the colour of the moon and in the
centre black like collyrium or glossy,
Or appears in various shapes and presenting a shape of flight of stairs.
If at the time of sun-rise and sun-set, there are seen rainbow, clouds in rod like shapes
and a mock sun.
If at the time of sun-rise and sun-set, the colour of the sky is that of the wings of the
partridge and birds play around and make sound.
If at the time of sun-rise and sun-set, white straight rays of the sun shoot out as if they
formed so many out-stretched arms from behind the hills suitable for observation in western
ghats or where there are hills.
If at the time of sun-rise and sun-set, clouds near the horizon roar.
Hills or mountains at a distance appearing to have a blue colouring.
During the day, lightening appears in the north esat.
Lightening appearing in the day time, red and straight like a rod.
Appearance of a mock moon.
Moon's disc having a circular red line.
Moon's colour appearing to be that of honey or the eyes of parrot.
In the rainy season, the rising sun appears dazzling or of the colour of molten gold or
glossy or bright as cat's eye (gem),
Or if the mid-day sun is felt exceedingly hot, there will be immediate rains.
In the rainy season, if water is without flavour, sky in the colour of cow's eye, or clear
without clouds, or if salt turns into water, or the atmosphere is still and there is no blow of
wind, there will be immediate rains.
Part 4
Venus- Mercury transits
Starting from the solar month of Aries (Chiththrai), the planetary transits must be noted.
Certain combinations of planets in certain locations of the zodiac can be seen to coincide with
excessive or lack of rainfall. The combinations for excessive rainfall are known as Ativrishti
yogas (
) and those that support lack of rainfall are known as AnAvrishti yogas
(