The Kalaprakasika: choosing times for every part of life · Chapter 4 of 6

#Fields, wealth and buildings

Kalaprakasika, chapters XIX–XXVIII

#Farming (XIX–XXII)

The rules for choosing the most auspicious time for the commencement of agricultural work, which is indispensable to the subsistence of the world, are set forth below (XIX).

• Starting farm work (XIX): first an auspicious day for the owner to set foot on the land, then ploughing. The best nakshatras: Bharani, Ardra, Pushya, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha and Uttara Bhadrapada; odd tithis except the 9th are favourable.
• Reaping (XX): good nakshatras include Bharani, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardra, Pushya, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Vishakha, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati; avoid the 4th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th and 14th tithis and the new moon, and the fixed and Vishti karanas.
• Bringing home the first sheaf (XXII), with the customary offering.

#Treasure and jewels (XXI, XXIV)

• Laying up treasure (XXI): all tithis but the "empty" (rikta) ones, the full moon and the new moon; good nakshatras include Mrigashira, Ardra, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Dhanishta, Shatabhisha and Uttara Bhadrapada; avoid the fixed and Vishti karanas.
• Wearing a new gold jewel (XXIV): fifteen favourable nakshatras, certain tithis, and benefic weekdays.

#Buildings (XXV–XXVI)

• Laying foundations (XXV): for the four sides, north, south, east and west, the favourable pairs of nakshatras are Ashlesha and Krittika, Chitra and Vishakha, Pushya and Magha, Uttara Ashadha and Shravana. The chapter also gives the times for fixing doors — "Wednesday or Friday, ruled by any beneficial tithi, a common sign", and the light or fixed nakshatras — and for the pillars and roof.
• The opening of a new house (grihapravesha, XXVI): in the bright fortnight or the first ten tithis of the dark fortnight, in the forenoon or at noon; good nakshatras are Rohini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Shravana, Shatabhisha, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

#The crowning of a king (XXVII)

Before the rules, the author sets out his ideal of kingship:

Born of a worshipful family, under raja yoga, and gifted with all regal qualities, a knowledge of all the virtues, and the wisdom to guide the nation, well-trained in horsemanship and in the use of weapons ... a speaker of truth, the king must be one who has controlled his lower impulses, one endowed with the spirit of supreme courage, self-sacrifice and self-denial (XXVII).

The coronation is then timed in the bright half of the month with favourable signs and nakshatras.

#Installing a deity (XXVIII)

In the Sun's northern course (avoiding Magha), when Jupiter and Venus are dignified and clearly visible, the Moon strong in a benefic nakshatra in the bright half, and the rising sign favourable (XXVIII).

#Summary

• Farm work, reaping and the first sheaf have their nakshatras and tithis (XIX–XXII).
• Treasure and new jewels (XXI, XXIV).
• Foundations by direction with pairs of nakshatras, doors and pillars (XXV); house-warming in the bright fortnight and early dark fortnight, morning or noon (XXVI).
• The ideal king: truthful, self-controlled, courageous, self-denying (XXVII); installing a deity (XXVIII).

#Exercises

1. Which nakshatras are favourable for the owner to begin farm work?
2. What part of the day is good for a house-warming?
3. Which pair of nakshatras is favourable for the eastern foundation?
4. Name three qualities of the Kalaprakasika's ideal king.

Answers: 1. Bharani, Ardra, Pushya, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada (XIX). 2. The forenoon or noon (XXVI). 3. By the order given (north, south, east, west): Pushya and Magha for the east (XXV). 4. Any three: truthfulness, self-control, courage, self-sacrifice, self-denial, wisdom, knowledge of the virtues.