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

५२ कृषिपराशरः
गन्धैः पुष्पैश्च नैवेद्यैर्धूपैश्च धान्यवृक्षकम् ।
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायमीशाने लवनं चरेत् ॥२०७॥
ततस्तन्मस्तके कृत्वा सम्मुखं शीर्षकान्वितम् ।
स्पृष्ट्वा न किमपि क्वापि व्रजेन्मौनेन मन्दिरम् ॥२०८॥
सप्तपदां ततः पादं दत्त्वा मुख्यनिकेतने । 5
प्रविश्य स्थापयेत्तत्र पूर्वभागे सुपूजितम् ॥२०९॥
न मुष्टिग्रहणं कुर्यात् कदाचिद् घटपौषयोः ।
श्रेष्ठो मुष्टिग्रहो मार्गे धनधान्यफलप्रदः ॥२१०॥
सार्द्धमुष्टिद्वयं मार्गे योऽच्छित्त्वा लवनं चरेत् ।
पदे पदे विफलता तस्य धान्यं कुतो गृहे ॥२११॥ 10
रौद्रे माघे तथा सौम्ये पुष्ये हस्तानिलोत्तरे ।
धान्यच्छेदं प्रशंसन्ति मूले श्रवणवासरे ॥२१२॥
1 B, C transpose नैवेद्यैः and धूपैश्च.
2 A—the portion following ईशाने is corrupt.
3 C धृत्वा सम्मुखे for कृत्वा सम्मुखं.
4 B न स्पृष्टा कमपि for स्पृष्ट्वा... क्वापि.
6 A, B तत्तु for ततः.
B पुष्पगन्धादिपूजितम् for पूर्व...सुपूजितम्.
7 C कार्यं for कुर्यात्. Attributed by Raghunandana to Parāśara
in Jyotistattva (Smṛti-tattva, vol I, p. 690).
9 A न च्छेदं समाचरेत् for अच्छित्त्वा...चरेत्.
B सार्द्धं for सार्द्ध.
C अकृत्वा for अच्छित्त्वा.
10 C ते विफलास्तेषां for विफलता तस्य.
11 A अनले for माघे, चित्रे for सौम्ये, हस्ते च निशाकरे for हस्तानिलोत्तरे.
C पुष्या for पुष्ये.
12 B मूलगश्रवणयोरपि for मूले...वासरे C छिदिं प्रकुर्व्वन्ति for छेदं प्रशंसन्ति,
मूल for मूले.

कृषिपराशरः ५३
व्यतीपाते च भाद्रे च रिक्तायां वैधृतौ तथा ।
भौमार्किबुधवारेषु मुष्टिसंग्रहणं त्यजेत् ॥२१३॥
अथ मार्गे मेधिरोपणम्—
कृत्वा तु खननं मार्गे समं गोमयलेपितम् ।
5 आरोपणीयो यत्नेन तत्र मेधिः शुभेऽहनि ॥२१४॥
स्त्रीनाम्ना कर्षकैः कार्यो मेधिर्वृश्चिकभास्करे ।
मेधेर्गुणेन कृषकः शस्यवृद्धिंमवाप्नुयात् ॥२१५॥
1 A तु विष्टौ च for च भाद्रे च.
B भद्रायां for भाद्रे च.
2 A reads—भौमार्काकं बुधाहे च न मुष्टिग्रहणं चरेत्.
Note : Under the heading of मुष्टिग्रहणम् ( See above ), D reads
the following verses instead of verses 208-213 :—मूलेन्द्रचित्त-
हस्ताश्वस्वातिपुष्योत्तरेन्दुधु ( ? )। शस्तेन्दु (?) योगकरणे तिथौ रिक्ता
विवर्जिते ॥ शुक्रे गुरौ बुधे चन्द्रे कुजार्कवारवर्जिते । स्नातः शुचिः सुवेशश्च
धान्यच्छेदं समाचरेत् ॥
3 A अथ मार्गमेध्यारोपणम्.
D drops मार्गे.
4 A खनकं (?) ( B खलकं ) for खननं, सगोमयविलेपनं for समं...लेपितम्.
D सुसंस्कृतं for तु खननं.
5 A ततो for तत्र.
B रोपणीया प्रयत्नेन for आरोपणीयो यत्नेन.
D ज्ञानं कुर्यात् प्रयत्नेन for the same portion, शुभान्वितः for शुभेऽहनि.
6 A नाम ( C नाम्नो ) for नाम्ना. B कृषकैः for कर्षकैः.
B, C कार्यो for कार्यों.
D-the portion following मेधिः is illegible.
7 A सर्वसिद्धि for शस्यवृद्धि. C कृषकाः and अवाप्नुयुः for कृषकः and
अवाप्नुयात् respectively. D मेधौ for मेधेः.

५४ कृषिपराशरः
न्यग्रोधः सप्तपर्णश्च गम्भारी शाल्मली तथा ।
औदुम्बरी विशेषेण अन्या वा क्षीरवाहिनी ॥२१६॥
वटादीनामभावे तु कार्या स्त्रीनामधारिका ।
वैजयन्तीसमायुक्तो निम्बसर्षपरक्षितः ॥२१७॥
धान्यकेशरसंयुक्तस्तृणकर्कटकान्वितः । 5
अर्चितो गन्धपुष्पाभ्यां मेधिः शस्यसुखप्रदः ॥२१८॥
पौषे मेधिर्नचारोप्यः क्रूराहे श्रवणे तथा ।
शस्यवृद्धिकरो मार्गे पौषे शस्यक्षयप्रदः ॥२१९॥
1 B, C वा for च. B शाल्मलिः for शाल्मली.
D पर्णानि for पर्णश्च.
2 A, B औदुम्बरो. B अन्यो वा क्षीरवांस्तरुः for अन्या...वाहिनी. D reads
औदुम्बरस्य यत्नेन नान्या वा क्षीरवाहिनी.
1-2 This verse, said to have been taken from the Kṛtya-cintāmaṇi,
occurs in Raghunandana's Jyotistattva (Smṛti-tattva, I. p.
690) with वटश्च for न्यग्रोधः and औदुम्बरी तथा धात्री या चान्या
क्षीरधारिणी for line 2.
3 A न for तु, कार्यः for कार्या, धारकः for धारिका. Omitted by D.
4 B युता मेधि for समायुक्तो (C युक्ता), रक्षिता (also C) for रक्षितः.
Omitted by D.
5 B, C संयुक्ता for संयुक्त.
B, C मर्कटक for कर्कटक.
B, C अन्विता for अन्वितः.
6 B, C अर्चिता for अर्चितो, प्रदा for प्रदः.
C पुष्पाद्यैः for पुष्पाभ्यां.
7 B चारोप्या for चारोप्यः.
8 B ०करी for ०करो, क्षयंकरी for क्षयप्रदः.
C omits the line.

कृषिपराशरः ५५
कपित्यबिल्ववंशानां तृणराजस्य चैव हि ।
मेधिः कार्यों नरैर्नै'व यदीच्छेद्रात्मनः शुभम् ॥२२०॥
अथ पौषे पुष्ययात्राकथनम्—
अखण्डिते ततो धान्ये पौषे मासि शुभे दिने ।
5 पुष्ययात्रां जनाः कुर्युरन्योन्यं क्षेत्रसन्निधौ ॥२२१॥
परमान्नं च तत्रैव व्यञ्जनैर्मत्स्यमांसकैः ।
निरामिषैस्तथा दिव्यैः सहिङ्गुमरीचान्वितैः ॥२२२॥
1 B तृणराज्ञां तथैव for तृण...हि. C omits the line.
2 A सुखं for शुभं. B, C कार्या for कार्यों. D नरैर्नापि यदोच्छेच्छु-
भमात्मनः.
Note: Instead of verses 217-220 (a), D reads—तेषां पत्' फलं' वापि
वर्द्धयेन्मेधिशेखरे ॥ मेधिका यः (मेधिः कार्यः ?) शुभे लग्ने क्रूराहे श्रवणेन तु ॥
सस्यवृद्धिकरो मार्गे पौषे सस्यक्षयस्तथा । बयित (?) बिल्वपद्मानां तृणराज्ञां तु नैव च ॥
After line 2, D adds सूर्यवंश...(?) तदर्यक्षत्रप्रसूतः पृथ्वौपु...(?)
तरुश्चन्द्रेजे बिल्ववृक्षः ॥ जीवे...(?) कपित्थो (?) सुरगुरुदिवसे शाल्मली-
सप्तपर्णी । सौरेष्वेवंविधा स्युः सकलसुयुता मेधयः सप्त पुण्याः ॥ After
the same line, C adds—मूला ज्येष्ठाऽनुराधा च पुष्यापुनर्वसुमघा ।
अश्विन्युत्तरपूषा च बुधजीवसितेषु च । स्थिरे लग्नेऽमृताख्ये च मेधेः संप्रोपयो
वराः ॥ पौषे च पुष्यश्रवणे क्रूरग्रहदिने जया । रिक्तायां कर्कटयोगे मेधिं न
रोपयेद् बुधः ॥ कपित्थबिल्ववंशानां तृणरां (?) तथैभसाम् । कार्या नैव शरैर्मेधि
य(र्य ?)दि(दी ?)च्छेदात्मनः शुभम् ॥
3 A drops कथनम्.
4 C अयाहते (?) for अखण्डिते. D reads—अखण्डित...(?) धान्ये पौषे
सुष्ठु शुभे दिने.
6 D पक्वा ( C पक्क' ) नवान्न' for परमान्नं च, मांसजैः for मांसकैः.
C व्यञ्जनं for व्यञ्जनैः.
7 B हिङ्गुमारीचसंयुतैः ( D पायसैः क्षीरमिष्टकैः ) for सहिङ्गु...न्वितैः.
C द्रव्यैः for दिव्यैः.

५६ कृषिपराशरः
दधिमिश्र तथा दुग्धैराज्यपायसपानकैः ।
नानाफलैश्च मूलैश्च मिष्टपिष्टकविस्तरैः ॥२२३॥
एभिः सुढौकितं कृत्वा तदन्नं कदलीदले ।
भोजयेयुः जनाः सर्वे यथावृद्धपुरःसराः ॥२२४॥
5
आचम्य च ततस्तत्र चन्दनैश्च चतुःसमैः ।
अन्योन्यं लेपनं कुर्युस्तैलैः पक्वैः सुगन्धिभिः ॥२२५॥
कर्पूरवासितं दिव्यं ताम्बूलं गन्धपूरितम् ।
भक्षयेयुस्ततोऽन्योन्यं परिधाय नवाम्बरम् ॥२२६॥
पुष्पैराभरणं कृत्वा नमस्कृत्य शचीपतिम् ।
10
गीतैर्नृत्यैश्च वाद्यैश्च कुर्युस्तत्र महोत्सवम् ॥२२७॥
ततश्च हर्षिताः सर्वे मन्त्रं श्लोकचतुष्टयम् ।
हस्तसंपुटकं कृत्वा पठेयुर्वीक्ष्य भास्करम् ॥२२८॥
1 A दधिभक्तैः for दधिमिश्र. B मिश्रितैः for पानकैः. For this line,
D reads—यदि दुग्धघृतैस्तद्वन्नानोपायनरूपकैः.
2 C पिरणडमरण्डैश्च for नानाफलैश्च. D नानामूलफलैः पक्ववैः for नाना...मूलैश्च.
3 D सुसंस्कृतं for सुढौकितं.
4 A reads—भोजयेत् स्वजनान् सर्वान् यथावृद्धपुरःसरान्. C परंपराः for
पुरःसराः.
Note: Bet. 3-4 D adds—लक्ष्मीमिन्द्रं पृथुं वेनं पूजयित्वा निवेद्य च ।
5 A गन्धादिना शचीपतिं for चन्दनैः...समैः. C तेतु for तत्र, वा (also D)
for च. D चोत्रे for तत्र.
6 C वागुरुसंभवैः for पक्वः सुगन्धिभिः. D मनंगै (रम्यङ्गै ?) र्गन्धसंभवैः
for तेलैः...गन्धिभिः.
7 B धूपितं for पूरितम्. D घृतधूपिताः for गन्धपूरितम्.
8 B प्रपूर्यास्यं for ततोऽन्योन्यं.
9 C नमस्तुत्य for ॰कृत्य.
10 B transposes नृत्यैश्च वाद्यैश्च. C गीत for गीतैः.
Note: 6-10 These lines are not read by A which reads instead—
पूजयेत्तत्र प्रीतेन (?) मानसेन महोत्सवैः.
11 A, B तु for च.
12 C ईप्सिताक्षरम् for वीक्ष्य भास्करम्. A हस्तयोः संपुटं for हस्तसंपुटकम्.
D वाच्युतं for भास्करम्.

कृषिपराशरः ५७
क्षेत्रे चाखण्डितधान्ये पुष्ययात्राप्रभावतः ।
अस्माभिर्मानिता सर्वैः साक्षान् पातु शुभप्रदा ॥२२९॥
कर्मणा मनसा वाचा ये चास्माकं विरोधिनः ।
सर्वे ते प्रशमं यान्तु पुष्ययात्राप्रभावतः ॥२३०॥
5 धान्यवृद्धैर्यशोवृद्धिः प्रवृद्धिर्दारपुत्रयोः ।
राजसंमानवृद्धिश्च गवां वृद्धिस्तथैव च ॥२३१॥
मन्त्रशासनवृद्धिश्च धनवृद्धिरहर्निशम् ।
अस्माकमस्तु सततं यावत् पूर्णो न वत्सरः ॥२३२॥
ततः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे व्रजेयुः स्वनिकेतनम् ।
10 न भोजनं पुनः कुर्यु स्तस्मिन्नहनि ते जनाः ॥२३३॥
1 A, B चाखण्डिते for ०खण्डित. B तव देव प्रसादतः for पुष्य...प्रभावतः.
C क्षेत्रेण रक्षिता for क्षेत्रे चाखण्डित, पुरा कृता for प्रभावतः. D अस्मिन्
पूज्या यात्रा प्रभावतः.
2 A reads पूषेण गमिताः सर्वं समर्था न शुभपदाः. B पुष्यन्तु मिलिताः शस्यानि
शुभकारकाः. D omits the line.
3 B transposes कर्मणा and मनसा. For D, see footnote 10 below.
4 B and D transpose सर्वे and ते. D नाशमायान्तु for प्रशमं यान्तु,
प्रसादतः for प्रभावतः.
5 B, D पुत्रदारयोः for दारपुत्रयोः. D स्त्रीवृद्धिः ( श्रीवृद्धिः ? ) for प्रवृद्धिः.
6 A omits the line.
7 B लक्ष्मी for धन. C गोलगोशाल for मन्त्रशासन, हविर्वृद्धि for धनवृद्धि.
D कीर्ति for मन्त्र.
8 D reads—अस्माकं तु शुभेनैव जातं ( तः?) संपूर्णवत्सरम् (रः ?).
9 C पुनरपि for प्रमुदिताः, inserts ते (contrary to metre) bet. अपि
and सर्वे. D सुमुदिताः for प्रमुदिताः, the portion bet. सर्वं and स्व
is illegible. A omits the line.
10 B मानवाः for ते जनाः. C सु for न, ततः for पुनः. D तद्दिने संयता जनाः
for तस्मिन्... जनाः. A omits the line.
Note: Bet. lines 8 and 9, D reads अस्माकं मिलिताः सर्वे सुहृदः
सन्तु मानवाः and the whole of V. 230.

५८ कृषिपराशरः
हिताय सर्वलोकानां पुष्ययात्रा मनोहरा ।
पुरा पराशरेणेयं कृता सर्वार्थसाधिनी ॥२३४॥
तस्मादियं प्रयत्नेन पुष्ययात्राविधानतः ।
सर्वविघ्नप्रशान्त्यर्थं कार्या शस्यस्य वृद्धये ॥२३५॥
पुष्ययात्रां न कुर्वन्ति ये जना धनगर्विताः । 5
न विघ्नोपशमस्तेषां कुतस्तद्वत्सरे सुखम् ॥२३६॥
पौषे मासि ततः कुर्याद्धान्यच्छेदं विचक्षणः ।
मर्दयित्वा यथायोगमाढकेन प्रमापयेत् ॥२३७॥
अथाढकलक्षणम् —
द्वादशाङ्गुलकैर्मानैराढकः परिकीर्तितः । 10
मापनं वामावर्तेन दक्षिणे न कदाचन ॥२३८॥
1 D महोत्सव for मनोहरा
2 C सर्वानु for सर्वार्थ•
D पराशरेणैवमुक्ता for पराशरेणेयंकृता.
3 C प्रयत्नतः for विधानतः.
4 C विनाशाय for प्रशान्त्यर्थं, शस्यकानां प्रवृद्धये ( D सम्यक् काले प्रवृद्धये ) for
कार्या...वृद्धये.
5 D मूढा for जना, दर्पिताः for गर्विताः.
6 C विघ्नप्रशम for विघ्नोपशम, शुभं for सुखम्. D न च तस्य भवेत् for
कुतस्तद्वत्सरे.
Note : Lines 1-6 omitted by A.
7 A सदा for ततः.
8 A प्रमाणेन तु for आढकेन प्र. C धान्यं for योगं, प्रमाणयेत् for प्रमापयेत्.
D योगे for योगं, प्रचोदयेत् for प्रमापयेत्.
Note : After line 8, B adds—सुप्रमाप्य च तद्धान्यं यथालाभं प्रबन्धयेत् ।
प्रमादेनापि पौषे तु व्ययं तस्य न कारयेत् ॥ मापनं सर्वशस्यानां वामावर्तेन
कीर्तितम् । धान्यानां दक्षिणावर्तं मापनं क्षयकारकम् ॥ वामावर्तेन सुखदं
धान्यवृद्धिकरं परम् ॥ D adds प्रमादेनापि तद्धान्यं पौषे व्ययं न कारयेत् ।
सर्वं धान्यमेकीकृत्य मेढि ( धि ? ) मूले तु स्थापयेत्.
9 B drops अथ.
10 C reads—द्वादशाङ्गुलमानं तु आढकं परिकीर्तितम्. D द्वादशाङ्गुलिको (?)...
(?) for द्वादश...मानैः.
11 C प्रमापयेच्च धान्यानि वामावर्तेन कीर्तितम्. D मापनं चैव धान्यानां वामावर्तेन
कारयेत्. For B, see Note under footnote 8 above.

कृषिपराशरः ५६
याम्यावर्तेन धान्यानां मापनं व्ययकारकम्।
वामावर्तेन सुखदं धान्यवृद्धिकरं परम् ॥२३९॥
श्लेष्मातकाम्रपुन्नागकृतमाढकमुत्तमम्।
कपित्थपर्कटीनम्बजनितं दैन्यवर्द्धनम् ॥२४०॥
5 अथ धान्यस्थापनम्—
हस्ताहरित्रये पुष्ये रेवत्यां च प्रजापतौ।
यममूलोत्तरे सौम्ये मघायां च पुनर्वसौ ॥२४१॥
जीवे सौम्ये भृगोर्वारे निधने क्रूरवर्जिते।
मीनलग्ने शुभे ऋक्षे धान्यस्थापनमुत्तमम् ॥२४२॥
1 A omits the line.
For B, see Note under footnote 8 on last page.
C दक्षिणावर्त्त for याम्यावर्तेन.
2 Omitted by A. For B, see Note under footnote 8 on last page.
3 Omitted by A and C.
4 Omitted by A and C. D reads—कपित्थनिम्बकण्टकं च वर्जितं
धान्यमापनम्.
5 A अथ स्थापनं धान्यस्य.
6 B, C हस्ते for हस्ता.
B स्वातौ च पुष्यायां for हरि...पुष्ये.
C चित्तद्वये for हरित्रये.
7 A याम्यमूलोत्तराशके ऽनुराधायां for यम...च.
C वारुण्यां चोत्तरे चैव for यम...सौम्ये.
D मित्रमूलोत्तरे शक्रे for the same portion.
8 A, D जीवसौम्य for जीवे सौम्ये. A रवि...(?) विवर्जिते for निधने...
वर्जिते. B सोम for सौम्ये, निधन for निधने. D भृगु: fot भृगोः, निधनं...
(?) for निधने...वर्जिते.
9 D शुक्लपक्षे for शुभे ऋक्षे.

ओँ धनदाय सर्वलोकहिताय देहि मे धनं स्वाहा ।
ओँ नवधुर्य्यसहे देवि सर्वकामविवर्द्धिनि कामरूपिणि
देहि मे धनं स्वाहा ।
लिखित्वा तु स्वयं मन्त्रं धान्यागारेषु निक्षिपेत् ।
समृद्धिं च परां कुर्यात् ततो लक्ष्मीं प्रपूजयेत् ॥२४३॥ 5
इति पराशरमुनिविरचितं कृषिपराशरनाम
पुस्तकं समाप्तम् ॥
1 B हितार्थाय for हिताय. C drops सर्व. D reads—ओँ धर्माय लोक-
हितार्थाय धेहि मे धनमुत्तमम्.
Before Line 1 B reads—अथ धान्याभ्यन्तरे स्थापनपत्रलिखनम्.
2 A धनदे बलदे ( C नावहार्यप्रदे ) for नव···सहे. C लोक for काम. To
the line C adds देवि त्वं. For this line, D reads धनमस्तु तदा सर्वं समम्.
3 D reads प्रणिधेहि (?) मे सर्वं स्वाहा.
4 A द्वयं for स्वयं. B reads—इदं मन्त्रद्वयं लिख्य ( C लेखयित्वात्विमं मन्त्रं )
for लिखित्वा···मन्त्रं. B, C, D धान्यागारे विनिक्षिपेत् for धान्या···क्षिपेत्.
5 C पूजिता प्रतिपूजयेत् for ततो···प्रपूजयेत्. D धान्यराशिं for ततो लक्ष्मीं
Note: After V. 243, B adds—कृषाणलक्षणम् । यः करोति कृषिं
सम्यक् कृषाणस्तु स उच्यते । अन्नं ददानो विधिवन्निष्ठायः सुप्रियातिथिः ॥
C adds—अथ धान्यमूल्यज्ञानम्···( ? ) पुरोवरं मूल्यं पन्नादौ लक्षयेत
सदा।···(?) विद्या···(?) धान्यमधः क्रयम् ॥ पौषे मासि त्वमावस्या
रविभौमशनैश्चरे । तदा महार्घता ज्ञेया अन्यैर्वारैस्तु मृतसमा ॥ दर्शो
वै पौषमासे यदि भवति तदा शक्रनक्षत्रयुक्ता । ईषत् सस्यं च सर्वं प्रभवति
भुवने मूलमे चाल्पमूल्यम् ॥ पूर्वाषाढा यदि स्यात् द्विगुणमतिरर वैश्वदेवे यदा
स्यात् । दुर्भिक्षं सस्यहानिर्जनमरण ( गण ? ) भयं घोरसुप्रं पृथिव्याम् ॥
तथा च । रौद्राहियाम्यनिलवारुणोन्द्राण्याहुर्जघन्त्यानि तथा बृहन्ति । ध्रुव-
द्विदेवातिभानि च मूलं समानि शेषाणि पुनर्मूनोन्द्राः ॥ बृहत सुधान्यं कुरुते
समर्धं जघन्यभिषत्त्याभ्युदितो महार्घम् । समेषु धिष्ण्येषु (?) समं हिमांशु
बंदन्त्यसंदिग्धमिदं महान्तः ॥ संक्रान्तिमृक्षं तिथिवारयुक्तं, द्रव्याक्षरं रामहृतं
समस्तम् । एके समर्धं समता द्वितीये, शून्ये महार्घं मुनयो वदन्ति ॥
The colophon differs in the different Mss: —
B—इति श्रीपराशरविरचितः कृषिसंग्रहः ॥
C—इति पराशरमुनिकृता कृषिपद्धतिः समाप्ता ॥
D—इति श्रीपाराशरेण विरचितः कृषिपराशरः समाप्तः ॥

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

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KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA

1. Having saluted Prajāpati, the sage Parāśara lays down
   reflections on agricultural operations for the welfare of cultivators.
2. Even a Brāhmaṇa, who is versed in the four Vedas, who
   recites Śāstras and is wise, is possessed by Alakṣmī¹ being humiliated
   by solicitation.
3. By means of agriculture alone, one, however, ceases to be a
   suitor. One, taking to agriculture, can become a sovereign monarch
   in this world.
4. People, even having a surfeit of gold, silver, jewels and
   garments, beseech the cultivators out of hankering for rice.
5. People have to suffer starvation for want of rice² even if they
   have gold in the necks, ears and hands.
6. Rice is vitality, rice is vigour too, and rice (indeed) is the
   means of fulfilment of all the ends (of life). Gods, demons and human
   beings—all subsist on rice.
7. Rice is produced from paddy, and paddy is not (availabe)
   without agriculture. Therefore, having given up all (else) take to
   agriculture carefully.
8. Blessed is agriculture, holy is agriculture, and agriculture is
   the life of the creatures. One, though tainted with blemishes like
   jealousy, is redeemed by honouring guests.
9. He indeed is the best among men, by whom a guest is
   honoured; by him is honoured the entire world and gods worshipped.
   Thus too (says) Parāśara—
10. All agriculture has rainfall at its root, life too has rainfall as
    its source. Therefore, at the outset, acquire knowledge of rainfall
    very carefully.
    1 Goddess of evil fortune supposed to be constantly at feud with Lakṣmī,
    Goddess of good fortune.
    2 S. P. Roy Choudhuri translates ‘anna’ as ‘food’. (Agricultural Practices
    etc., I. C. A. R., p. 28). But, in V. 7 of our text, the author says annaṁ hi
    dhānya-samjatam. Although ‘dhānya’ may mean any corn or grain, yet it
    primarily means paddy. Moreover, the rules that follow relate only to paddy.
    So, we prefer ‘rice’ to ‘food’.

64 KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA
11. Hence, for the knowledge of rainfall, have a correct knowledge
of the lord of the year, the minister as well as the cloud and also of
the āḍhaka¹ of water.
Now the determination of the Lord (of year)
12. After multiplying the (number of the) Śaka year by 3, and
adding 2 (to the product), divide it by 7; the remainder is to be
known as King. The fourth from the king is Minister.
13. The sun being the king, rainfall is moderate²; it is severe in
the (régime of) moon (lit., lord of night). There is always scanty
rainfall under Mars ; rainfall is the best under Mercury (lit., offspring
of moon).
14. Rainfall is good under Jupiter,³ and it is best under Venus.
Under Saturn the earth, devoid of rainfall, becomes full of dust.
15. In the year, in which the sun is the king, there take place
optical diseases, fever, misfortune, all calamities, scanty⁴ rainfall and
incessant wind.
16. In the year, in which the moon becomes the king, he is sure
to make the earth full of crops and to cause freedom from disease to
mankind.
17. In the year, having Mars as the king, there will always take
place loss of crops, disease among mankind, and the earth (will
become) devoid of crops.
18. In the year, in which Mercury is the king, there are freedom
from disease, easy movement and easy availability of alms on the
earth.
19. In the year, in which Jupiter is the king, there are stability
of virtues, tranquillity of mind and best cause of rainfall; the entire
earth is possessed of wealth.
1 A measure of water. For a different meaning of the word, see V. 238
infra.
2 It is said to be scanty in V. 15 below.
3 It does not seem to be proper to give Neptune as the equivalent of
Bṛhaspati, as is done by S. P. Roy Chaudhuri in Agricultural Practices etc.,
op. cit.
4 But, rainfall is said to be moderate under the sun in V. 13 above.

KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA 65
20. King Venus (lit., the preceptor of demons) always enriches
monarchs, effects the acquisition of wealth, paddy and the like, and
makes the earth full of all crops.
21. Saturn being the king of the year, there take place fight,
stormy but scanty rainfall, constant wind, disease and calamity.
22. Just as the consequences with regard to rainfall have been
related under a planet being the king of a year, so also the con-
sequences as to rainfall are to be known by the wise when (that planet)
is the minister.
Now the determination of the cloud
23. The Śaka era, added to 3, (is to be) divided by 4; know the
remainder to be the cloud starting with Āvarta in due order.
24. Āvarta, Saṃvarta, Puṣkara and Droṇa—these are said to be
the four (kinds of) clouds in due order from Āvarta.
25. Āvarta is confined to a particular locality, under Saṃvarta
there is water everywhere; under Puṣkara water is scarce and under
Droṇa the earth has abundant water.
Now the ascertainment of āḍhaka of water
26. The measure of āḍhaka is said by sages to be a hundred
_yojanas_¹ wide and thirty yojanas deep.
27. When the sun passes to Cancer, the moon being in Gemini,
Aries, Taurus and Pisces, water becomes a hundred āḍhakas; it is
half when (the sun is) in Sagittarius, (they tell it to be) eighty (when
the sun is in) Virgo and Capricornus.
28. (They) say, there are ninety-six āḍhakas of water (when the
sun is) in Cancer, Aquarius, Scorpio and Libra. Agricultural opera-
tions are to be carried on after ascertaining the annual (quantity) of
water by this measurement.
29. Indra always showers ten parts on the ocean, six on the
mountain and four on the earth.
¹ Yojana="4 or 5 English miles, but more correctly=4 krośas or about
9 miles; acc. to other calculations=2½ English miles, and acc. to some=8
krośas" (Skt.—Eng. Dictionary by M. Wms.).

66 KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA
Now knowledge of rainfall in Pauṣa
30. A wise man should ascertain the monthly rainfall or drought
beginning with Pauṣa according to the course of the wind after
taking a unit of two days and a half (of Pauṣa)
31. (Wind) from the north or west (indicates) rainfall and
(that) from the east or south (indicates) drought; there being absence
of wind there will be absence of rainfall and wind being fitful irregular
rainfall (takes place).
32. A unit of five daṇḍas is considered to (represent) a day of
the (corresponding) month. (Rainfall) in the earlier and latter parts
(indicates) diurnal or nocturnal rainfall¹ (respectively in corresponding
months).
33. By attaching a flag to a post,² and making efforts day and
night, the monthly rainfall is to be ascertained according to the course
of the wind.
34. When, in the bright fortnight of the month of Pauṣa, the
sky is whitened with dust, and the western horizon is dazzled by
flashes of lightning, then (i.e. such circumstances will indicate that)
the entire earth will be flooded with water.
35. If there be a shower or fog in the month of Pauṣa, then the
earth will become full of water in the seventh month therefrom.
36. If, in the bright fortnight of the month of Pauṣa, the sky
becomes overcast with clouds, then, in that year, the earth becomes
covered with water.
37. If it rains in the period between Pisces and Scorpio, then,
in that very lunar mansion of the seventh month therefrom, the earth
becomes inundated.
Now the knowledge of rainfall in Māgha
38. If, on the seventh day of the bright half of Māgha, there
be a shower or the sight (i.e. accumulation) of clouds, then the year
(becomes) blessed yielding all crops.
1 S. P. Roy Chaudhuri, in the Agricultural Practices, etc., points out that
this seems to testify to the ancient Indians' knowledge of the distinction between
the effects of rainfall by day and at night.
2 This appears to indicate the use of weather-vanes in those days.

KṚṢI-PARĀSARA . 67.
39-40. The seventh day of the dark half of the moon in Māgha
and also in Phālguna, the third day of the moon in the bright half
of Caitra, first day of Vaiśākha—(if there be) a violent wind or a
shower with lightning in these periods, then the rainy season becomes
agreeable, and the earth full of crops.
41. There will be (continuous) rainfall up to the end of Kārtika
if, on the seventh day of the dark half of the moon in the Svāti
Nakṣatra in Māgha, there be a shower, gale, thundering of clouds
surcharged with water, and if the sky, agitated by flashes of lightning,
has the moon, the sun and the stars enveloped (in darkness).
42. If, in the month of Māgha, there be incessant downpour
with hails, in Phālguna wind blows with clouds, in Caitra the sky is
overcast, in Vaiśākha there is constant shower of hail and very
scorching sunshine in Jyaiṣṭha, then it rains till the sun marches on to
Libra.
Now the knowledge of rainfall in Phālguna
43. If, during the sun's stay in Aquarius, there be conjunction
with Rohiṇī, then there will be worst, bad, middling, great and very
great showers of water (respectively) on the five days beginning with
the fifth lunar mansion.
Now the knowledge of rainfall in Caitra
44-45. If the first day of the bright half of the moon in Caitra
be a Sunday, then there will be moderate rainfall in that year;
(if it be) on Monday, (then) the surface of the earth will be entirely
flooded by intense, incessant and torrential downpour. (If it be) on
Tuesday, (then) there will not be sufficient rainfall; (if it be) on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, (then) there will be rejoicings due
to an abundance of crops, ; (if it is) on Saturday, (then) even the
ocean dries up and the earth becomes invisible by clouds of dust.
46. Under (the Nakṣatra) Citrā, in the earlier part of Caitra, the
earth (gets) moderate rainfall, in the latter (part) (rainfall will be)
scanty and not sufficient, in the middle (part) the earth (gets) heavy
downpour.

68 KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA
47. There is wind throughout day and night under (the Nakṣat-
ras) Mūlā and Yama (=Bharaṇī). Know for certain the Nakṣatras
Ārdrā and the like for the sake of rainfall.
Now the knowledge of rainfall in Vaiśākha
48. Ascertain rainfall after planting a post into (the bed of) a
flowing river at night on the first day of the bright half of the moon
in Vaiśākha.
49. Having mutttered the incantation. “Om Siddhiḥ” (let there
be success) for two hundred times, and put a mark on the post, throw
it into as much water as would reach up to the mark.
50. One, desirous of (having knowledge about) the (quantity of)
future water, should suddenly get up in the morning, and ascertain
whether the water is on a level with, above or below the mark.
51. If (it be) equal, rain-water and flood will be like those in
the preceding year. If (it be) below (the mark) rainfall will be less,
and flood too will be similar.
52. In case (the water is) above the mark, rainfall and flood
will be twofold ; this is declared by Parāśara to be the indication of
future rainfall.
53. *Viṣuva (-saṃkrānti)*¹ taking place at sunrise, there will be
calamity to the worlds, at midday there will be destruction of many
crops, at sunset there will be half the crops, and unparalleled enjoy-
ment of prosperity (will ensue if it takes place) at midnight.
54. Having drawn three lines (from north to south) multiply
them by 3 (so that nine lines may be drawn across them), and put a
hill at each corner (indicated by a) triangle.
55. (Then) write the figures² starting with 3³ southwards beginn-
ing from north-east. The result as to the rains will be in accordance
with (the Nakṣatra) in which the Aja-saṃkrānti⁴ (will take place).
1 The sun's passage from one Zodiac to another at the equinoxes. Viṣuva-
saṃkrānti marks the end of Caitra. In this verse are described the effects of
the sun's saṃkramaṇa (passage) at different periods of the day.
2 The figures indicate the order of the Nakṣatras beginning with Aśvini.
3 Indicates the Nakṣatra Kṛttikā, third in the order.
4 Sun's entrance into the Zodiac Aries.

KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA 69
56. In samudra¹ rainfall will be excessive, on parvata² there
will be drought; rainfall will be moderate at the sides³ (of the
parvata) and good at the junctures⁴ (of the parvata).
Now the indication of rainfall in Jyaiṣṭha
57-58. If there be absence of cloud in the (Nakṣatras) Citrā,
Svātī and Viśākhā in the month of Jyaiṣṭha, and if it rains in these
very (Nakṣatras) in Śrāvaṇa, then the year will be blessed and
productive of many crops. If it rains in the ten Nakṣatras starting
with Ārdrā⁵ in the bright half at the beginning of Jyaiṣṭha (then)
places having water become dry and dry places full of water.
Now the indication of rainfall in Āṣāḍha
59. During full moon in Āṣāḍha, the wind blowing from the
east, south-east, south-west, west, north-west, north and north-east
always foreshows respectively good rainfall, destruction of crops,
scanty rainfall, damage of crops, rainfall, violent wind and
abundance of crops on earth.
60. If it rains on the ninth day of the bright half of Āṣāḍha
then there must be rainfall (throughout the year); there being no
rainfall then whence will there be water ?
61. If on the ninth lunar mansion in the bright half of Āṣāḍha,
the slope of the eastern mountain becomes clear, the sun, with
scorching rays, assumes its own circular form, and if, while setting,
it be surrounded by clouds, then there will be downpour so long as
(the sun does not) march out of Libra.
¹ This is the technical term for the Nakṣatras from Rohiṇī to Uttara-
phalgunī, and from Jyeṣṭhā to Pūrva-bhādrapada, (Vide Vaṅgavāsī ed. of the
Kṛṣi-saṁgraha, p. 13, translation).
² It signifies the Nakṣatras Kṛttikā, Hastā, Anurādhā or Uttarā-bhādrapada
(Ibid).
³ Aśvinī or Svātī (Ibid).
⁴ Bharaṇī, Citrā, Viśākhā or Revatī. (Ibid).
⁵ Ārdrā, Punarvasu, Puṣyā, Aśleṣā, Maghā, Pūrva-phalgunī, Uttara-
phalgunī, Hastā, Citrā and Svāti.
10

70 KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA
Now the indication of rainfall in Śrāvaṇa
62. If it rains (when the moon is) in the (Nakṣatra) Rohiṇī in
the month of Śrāvaṇa, then there will be rainfall so long as Hari does
not get up.¹
63. If it does not rain in the Nakṣatra (called) Rohiṇī during
the (sun's stay in the Zodiac) Cancer, then Parāśara laments—alas,
alas, what will be the condition of man ?
64. If it does not rain in Rohiṇī in the month of Śrāvaṇa, then
the agriculturists are subjected to the suffering caused by abortive
endeavours.
Now the knowledge of immediate rainfall
65 (There being) a waterspout in the midst of water or near
about, then the Creator says that there will be rainfall in no time for
the (preservation of) creation.
66. There will certainly be rainfall when ants rise (from their
holes) with eggs, and frogs croak all of a sudden.
67. (If) cats, ichneumons, serpents, other animals livng in
holes and moths run in an excited condition surely there will be
immediate rainfall.
68. (If) boys make bridges with dust on the road and peacocks
dance, (then) there will surely be immediate rainfall.
69. If there be pain in the bodies of men afflicted with wounds
and rheumatism, and ascent of a serpent on the top of a tree, (then)
these are indications of instantaneous rainfall.
70. Drying in the sun of the wings of aquatic birds and noise
of crickets in the sky are indications of immediate rainfall.
Now the knowledge of rainfall at the passing of Planets
(from one Zodiac to another)
71. When Mars and Saturn pass (from one Zodiac to another)
rainfall is certain. Jupiter passes after making the earth full of
water.
¹ Hari or Viṣṇu is supposed to be asleep from the middle of Āṣāḍha and
to be awake in the middle of Kārtika. The sleep and the waking of Viṣṇu are
respectively called śayana (or, Śayanī) and utthāna (or, Prabodhinī).

KṚṢI-PARĀŚARA 71
72. It often rains at the rising, setting, zigzag course and
accelerated motion of the planets, and also at the enterprises of kings.
73. Jupiter being in the (Nakṣatra) Citrā, it rains like a broken
vessel; then, being in conjunction with Svāti, it releases mighty clouds.
74. It is Svāti alone that lets loose the clouds accumulated in
Puṣyā; it is Revatī alone that releases the cloud generated in Śravaṇā.
Now the indication of drought
75. Mars causes immediate drought while passing on to (the
Nakṣatras) Uttara-phalgunī, Uttarāṣāḍhā, Uttara-bhādrapada, Śravaṇā,
Hastā, Mūlā, Jyeṣṭhā, Kṛttikā and Maghā.
76. The Sun, at the back of Mars, dries up even the ocean. It
is he who, being in the reverse position, submerges even mountains.
77-78. Venus being in Citrā causes immediate rainfall.¹ Mars
being in Leo, the earth becomes full of embers. He indeed, in con-
junction with the sun, dries up even the ocean.
Now supervision of Agriculture
79. Parāśara, versed in the lore of agriculture, held that agricul-
ture, when supervised, yields gold; when not supervised, it indeed
causes poverty.
Now other sages too (declare)
80. One should place one's father in charge of the harem, the
mother in that of the kitchen, a person like ownself in that of cows,
and undertake agriculture personally.
81. Agriculture, cows, commercial knowledge, women, royal
household—these are impaired in a trice through a moment's lack of
supervision.
82. Agriculture should be undertaken by a capable person
wishing welfare of people, because an incompetent cultivator resorts
to begging.
1 The word in the text is nikṛntayet (from root kṛt-to cut). S.P.Roy Chau-
dhuri interprets it as indicating drought. But cutting the clouds seems to us to
be more plausible than cutting the rains. The author appears to mean that, in
this position, Venus cuts asunder the clouds so as to cause rainfall. Moreover,
the word 'sadyaḥ' is more frequently associated with 'vṛṣṭi' than with 'anāvṛṣṭi'.