DIVISIONS OP THE RODIACK.' 36/ 



Another topick, relative to the Zodiack, and con- 

 nected with astrology, remains to be noticed. I al- 

 lude to tlie Dreslicanas answering to the Decani of Eu- 

 ropean Astrologers. The Himius, like the Egyptians 

 and Babylonians, from whom that vain science passed 

 to the Greeks and Romans, divide each sign into three 

 parts, and allot to every such part a regent exercising 

 planetary influence under the particular planet whom 

 he there represents. 



The description of the 36 Drishcanas is given to- 

 wards the close of Vara'hamihira's treatise on the 

 casting of nativities, tntiiXcd. Vrihat Jdtaca. It is here 

 translated conformably with the gloss of Bhattotpa- 

 la: omitting, however, some variations in the reading 

 of the text, which are noticed by him ; but which can 

 be of no use, unless occasion should arise for reference 

 to them in comparing the description of the Dreshcmias 

 with some amulet or ancient monument in which the 

 Decani may be supposed to be figured. Even for that 

 purpose, the following description will probably suffice. 



1. [Mars] A man with red eyes, girt round the 

 waist, with a white cloth, of a black complexion, as 

 formidable as able to protect, holds a raised battle-axe. 



1. [The Sun] A female clad in red apparel, 

 with her mind lixed on wearing ornaments, having 

 a mare's head, and a belly like a jar, thirsty and 



They answer successIveJy to half a Tiihi or lunar day ; Cvitughna 

 being always assigned to the first half oi the first TVth'i; and the 

 variable Car.znrti- afterwards succeeding each other regularly, through 

 eight repetitions : they are followed by the three remaining invaria- 

 ble CiiTdiias-, which conclude the month j Chatithpad and Naga ap- 

 pertaining to Amivaiyh ox the new rno^in, and Sacuniheiu^ a^-prj- 

 priated to the latter half of the preceding Tit'hi. 



