कृषि-पाराशर (महर्षि पराशर - प्राचीन भारतीय कृषि, मृदा-परीक्षण, वर्षा-पूर्वानुमान व बीज-संस्कार)

80 KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA
169. The sowing of seeds for transplantation is said to be best
in Āṣāḍha (or Jyaiṣṭha)¹, bad in Śrāvaṇa and worst in Bhādra.
170. The sowing of seeds is best in the three Uttaras², Mūlā,
Jyeṣṭhā, Anurādhā, Maghā, Mṛgaśiras, Rohiṇī, Hastā and Revatī.
171. Man gets (only) seed by sowing the seed in Śravaṇā,
the Pūrvas³, Viśākhā, Bharaṇī, Ārdrā and Aśleṣā.
172. In sowing and transplantation, avoid the two days: there
is fear from rats on Tuesday and from locusts and insects on Saturday.
173. Do not cause (seeds) to be sown in the lunar mansion
(called) Riktā,⁴ particularly in the period of the waning moon. Act-
ing thus properly, one gets an increase of crops.
174. A farmer, desirous of fruits, should avoid sowing of all
crops in the three days and a half at the close of Jyaiṣṭha as well as
in the beginning of Āṣāḍha.
175. During the three days between the end of Taurus (i. e.
Jyaiṣṭha) and the beginning of Gemini (i. e. Āṣāḍha), the (earth) is
menstruated ; do not cause the seed to be sown then. (Failing to
observe this) man perishes through sin.
So also—
176. In the period between the cessation of Mṛgaśiras and the
first quarter of Ārdrā, Ambuvācī⁵ takes place, (and) the earth becomes
menstruated for three days which one should avoid. If the cultivator
goes to the field and sows the seed (in this period) he will not be the
possessor of fruits; this period is dangerous.
1 “Śuci—a particular hot month (acc. to some = Āṣādha or Jyaiṣṭha, àcc, to
others ‘the hot season in general’) “—Skt.-Eng. Dictionary (M. Wms.)
2 The three Nakṣatras called Uttara-phalguni, Uttarāṣāḍhā and Uttara-
bhādrapada.
3 The three Nakṣatras called Pūrva-phalguni, Pūrvāṣāḍhā and Pūrva-
bhādrapada.
4 The 4th, 9th or 14th day of the lunar fortnight is technically so called.
5 “Four days in Āṣādha (the tenth to the thirteenth of the dark half of
the month) when the earth is supposed to be unclean”. Skt.-Eng. Dictionary
by M. Wms.