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Dear RK ji,

Thanks for the directions. I found the follwing in one of my

collections from the net. I don't remember from where I collected it.

But my regards to the person who listed them. I think it is time that

I should give a serious look at it. :)

================================================================

10 tips for better writing

--------------------------

 

The following list of tips should help you to avoid some of the

most

common slip-ups.

 

1. Capitals: Avoid the temptation to capitalize words in the

middle

of a sentence Just To Provide Emphasis Like This. If you want to be

more emphatic consider using bold face, italics, color or larger

text.

 

2. Commas: The most common use of the comma is to join together

short sentences to make a single longer sentence. We do this with one

of

the following small joining words: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, or

so.

For example:

We have finished the work, and we are looking forward to the

weekend.

Notice that the two halves of this sentence could each be sentences

in

their own right. They thus need to be separated with a comma and

joining word. In the next example, though, we don't need a comma: We

have

finished the work and are looking forward to the weekend.

The halves of that sentence could not stand alone, so no comma was

used.

 

3. Ellipsis: The ellipsis is a series of three -- and ONLY THREE --

 

full stops used to mark missing words, an uncertain pause, or an

abrupt

interruption. Avoid the temptation to use six or seven dots -- it

looks

amateurish. For example, we write:

 

 

Niles: But Miss Fine's age is only ...

Fran: Young! Miss Fine's age is only young!

 

4. Excessive punctuation:

 

Only one exclamation mark or question mark should be used at a

time.

Consider the following over-punctuated examples:

 

 

Buy now!!!

Great bargains!!!!!!!!!! Excessive punctuation looks too much like

hysteria and detracts from your credibility. Avoid it.

5. Headings:

For long works, establish a clear hierarchy of headings. Microsoft

Word's heading styles are great for this. (They also allow you to

automatically create a table of contents.)

6. Hyphenating prefixes:Most prefixes don't need a hyphen; i.e. we

write " coexist " , not " co-exist " . There are exceptions, though. The

prefixes " self- " and " ex- " are almost always hyphenated.

7. Numbers:Numbers of ten or less are normally written as words.

 

8. Quotation marks:

Users of American English should use double quotes ( " " ). Users of

British English should choose either single quotes (' ') or double

quotes

and stick with them for the whole document. Incidentally, British

English usage is increasingly moving towards single quotes.

 

9. Spaces: Modern style is to use a single space at the end of a

sentence, not two. Also, most punctuation marks (e.g. commas, full

stops,

question marks) are not preceded by a space.

 

10.Tables: Set table text one or two points smaller than the main

body text and in a sans-serif font such as Arial or Verdana. Avoid

vertical lines as they tend to add unnecessary clutter.

Armed with these simple guidelines, your business writing should be

well received every time. Good luck!

=============================================================

I am posting it here because I think that it may help many, like it

helped me.

Love,

Sreenadh

 

, " Sreenadh "

<sreesog wrote:

>

> Dear RK ji,

> > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > exclamation.

> I am not that good in English, and is just learning to express my

> thought in it. :) Child's mistakes - since I am still seeking for

my

> true style of words. :) I am suffering of poor vocabulary,

indigested

> words, and mal nutrition as far as English is concerned. ;)

> May be you too can guide me in this regard. :)

> Love,

> Sreenadh

>

> , " arkaydash "

> <arkaydash@> wrote:

> >

> > My dear Shreenadhji,

> > As I size you up from feet upward I see this.

> >

> > " Trying to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going

> to

> > publish them? They are already born children - and in mean time

> more

> > children take birth as well! What should I do??!!!!! "

> >

> > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > exclamation. Well, your true-borns can be rendered 'dwija'. Four

> are

> > quite many though. By and by we can make it.

> >

> > RK

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > , sree nadh

> > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear RK ji,

> > > I have only the samples collected from every where, and note

> > many of those horas. :)

> > > Yes, for sure we can share those samples. :)

> > > I will start a try in some of the coming mails. :)

> > >

> > > P.S.: I am trying to make things systematic. That is -

> > > First on schools - Then we would have an idea about the

depths

> > we are looking to.

> > > Then about the methods (of interpretation) - Let us make them

> > systematic too.

> > > Yes, some where in between, the point put forward by you is

> also

> > very important - so I will give it prime importance too.

> > >

> > > ==>

> > > These then are some of the articles you have published. Share

> > with

> > > the forum some of your other publihed work.

> > > <==

> > > No! These are articles now written for this forum alone -

They

> > are now published articles. Most of my published works (not much -

 

> > only 4 books) are in malayalam - and would be no use to you.

Trying

> > to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going to

> publish

> > them? They are already born children - and in mean time more

> > children take birth as well ! What should I do??!!!!! ;)

> > > Love,

> > > Sreenadh

> > >

> > >

> > > arkaydash <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > Dear S-ji

> > >

> > > These then are some of the articles you have published. Share

> with

> > > the forum some of your other publihed work. Pls move on to more

> > > ready-to-use material.

> > > I have a suggestion (more a request actually). Could you pls

take

> > > the pains of sampling here portions the precious Horas you

have,

> > > maybe step by step or at random depending on areas wanting in

> > > consensus.

> > >

> > > RK

> > >

> > > , " Sreenadh "

> > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Dear All,

> > > > Given below is an article on Yavana school of astrology.

> > > >

> > > > ==============================================================

> > > > Yavana School of Astrology

> > > > ==========================

> > > > There is a controversy about the meaning of the word Yavana.

> > > Modern

> > > > historians almost always erroneously take `Yavana' to mean

> > > `Greek'.

> > > > Of course Greeks where called Yavana by Indians for a long

> time,

> > > and

> > > > so it is not completely wrong to take `Yavana' to mean

`Greek'

> > if

> > > one

> > > > is talking about the a limited historic period, i.e. Period

> > after

> > > the

> > > > invasion of Alexander. But when we look at the literature, we

> > see

> > > > that the word Yavana is used to indicate Pharsi or Persian in

> > > several

> > > > instances. The popular definition of this word, supported by

> > > classics

> > > > is that, any person who is not a native of India and does

> follow

> > > our

> > > > custom and tradition is called Yavana. So the point to be

kept

> > in

> > > > mind is that-

> > > > • The `Yavana' has some link outside India

> > > > • Their tradition and system is slightly different than

> > ours.

> > > > • The heir (sons and daughters) and successors of a

> > `Yavana'

> > > > (Guru-sishya paramapara) would be termed `Yavana'.

> > > > The 3rd point is often ignored by even the learned. It

> > essentially

> > > > means that at times even people who were and born and lived

in

> > > India,

> > > > and even followed the Indian custom and tradition where

> > > > termed `Yavana' only because, they were the descendents of

> > > Yavana.

> > > > Before the arrival of Greeks it was Persian peoples who were

> > known

> > > by

> > > > the word `Yavana', and even before that? Yes, at that time it

> > > could

> > > > mean even people from `Afghanistan', `China', or `Egypt',

i.e.

> > any

> > > > where outside India or their descendants or followers

> (students).

> > > > Yavaneswara

> > > > ----------------

> > > > Someone in ancient past brought some new knowledge of

astrology

> > to

> > > > India. It was even before the period of Parasara (1400 BC),

and

> > > this

> > > > great scholar gets mentioned by Parasara, Narada, Kasyapa and

> > many

> > > > more. He must have been an astonishing store house of

> knowledge,

> > > and

> > > > well versed in Sanskrit, even the Rishis considered him as an

> > > Rishi.

> > > > His great knowledge, made Rishi Garga speak out-

> > > > Mlescha hi yavanasteshu samyak sastramidam stitam

> > > > Rishivattepi pujyante kim puna daiva vad dwija

> > > > Meaning, even though a person outside from, by native place

or

> > > > tradition followed, the knowledge of astrology is well

settled

> > and

> > > > find comfort in `Yavana' (Yavana Kula). Because of this they

> are

> > > > worshiped like Rishis. Then why not if a person who took

second

> > > birth

> > > > by devoting himself to knowledge and is learning astrology?

> > > > We should remember that Garga was the head guru (like

> chancellor

> > > of a

> > > > university) of the Garga kula. Many great learning centers

like

> > > > Vasishta Kula, Kousika kula, Atri Kula, Mareechi Kula, Angira

> > > Kula,

> > > > Bhrigu Kula, Chyvana Kula, Vyasa Kula etc existed at that

> > period –

> > >

> > > > and the knowledge preserved was so vast. Garga know about

this

> > > all,

> > > > and was part of this great tradition. Even then he felt

> > astonished

> > > by

> > > > the astrological knowledge preserved and propagated by

another

> > > such

> > > > learning center – Yavana Kula. This is wonderful! We could

see

> > > that

> > > > later acharyas started mentioning the name of Yavanewara,

> > > including

> > > > him in the list of 18 great gurus of astrology. Narada,

> Kasyapa,

> > > > Parasara – no body failed to mention his name! How great an

> > > influence

> > > > he and his school of thought would have been to Indian

> > > astrology?!!

> > > > Yes, this `Yavaneswara' is a great Rishi, vast treasure house

> of

> > > > knowledge, worshiped Surya, had some connections outside

India,

> > > was

> > > > well-versed in Sanskrit, was the head guru of Yavana Kula,

and

> > > lived

> > > > before BC 1400. He very much appreciated the astrological

> > > tradition

> > > > and knowledge of India, adopted many concepts from India

> streams

> > > and

> > > > tried to modify them. This too made the Indian scholars give

> > > special

> > > > attention towards him. This is the knowledge we have about

his

> > > > mountainous individuality – he stands tall and unique even

> among

> > > the

> > > > peaks!

> > > > Yavanewara Hora is the text known by his name. His successors

> > > (sishya

> > > > parampara) like Sphujidwaja, Meena raja amply quotes from

this

> > > text.

> > > > Later day scholars like Mihira too quotes him and mentions

the

> > > > opinions by him. Yavanswara says that he got this knowledge

of

> > > > astrology from Brahma (Prajapati), which indicates that he

was

> a

> > > > follower of Indian tradition itself, but with somewhat slight

> > > > difference.

> > > > Some problems surfacing

> > > > -------------------------------

> > > > If even Garga felt astonished by this knowledge stream how

> > Mihira

> > > can

> > > > not? But due to these mutual appreciation (between Arsha and

> > > Yavana

> > > > schools of astrology) and scholarly interaction many problems

> > > > surfaced. They are –

> > > > • Ancient Indian Rishi Kulas appreciated the knowledge

of

> > > > Yavana school, but never mixed it with there own system.

> > > > • Even Garga was not an exception to this even though he

> > > > himself was somewhat outside the Arsha or Sanatana stream due

> to

> > > the

> > > > fact that he was a follower of Jain philosophy (originated by

> > > > Rishabha Deva). But we should also remember that at that

time

> > > Jain

> > > > hadn't become a separate religion, but was part of the Vedic

> > > stream.

> > > > • Just contrary to this, Yavaneswara tried to lean all

the

> > > > Indian knowledge as well, modified it applying logic, and

> taught

> > > them

> > > > as well in his guru kula. This is evident from the example of

> > > Nabhasa

> > > > yogas. Nabhasa Yogas are just mentioned in Arha (Sanatana)

> Rishi

> > > > horas like Skanda hora, Brihal prajaptyam etc, but

Yavaneswara

> > > took

> > > > this concept and made the number of named Nabhasa Yogas 1800

by

> > > > applying permutation combination!!!!! The concept of Nabhasa

> > yogas

> > > > were not totally in line with the foundations of ancient

Indian

> > > > astrology, that is why the Indian Rishis didn't gave much

> > > importance

> > > > to them. Yavanewara never bothered about it, took this

concept,

> > > and

> > > > applied maths to it! The result was 1800 Nabhasa yogas, out

of

> > > which

> > > > hundreds of them were astronomical impossibilities!! Here we

> see

> > > the

> > > > type of interaction and the reason for respect or disrespect.

> > > > • In the Arsha system of Parasara started mixing the

> > concepts

> > > > of Yavana, and many of his new concepts as well. Due to this

he

> > > was

> > > > also not considered as a true follower of Arsha stream, and

was

> > > even

> > > > called Yavana at times, even though he was not Yavana. What

> ever

> > > that

> > > > be, Parasara is also honored among the 18 great gurus of

> > > Astrology.

> > > > We should remember that, Yavana, Romaka, Poulisa, Lomasa &

> > > Parasara

> > > > schools may not be part of the true (Arsha/Sanatana) stream

of

> > > > astrology. But there was a lot of give and take, and they

where

> > > also

> > > > honored among the 18 like the Rishis of Arsha stream –

Brahma,

> > > > Vasishta, Kousika, Atri, Manu, Mareechi, Angira, Vyasa,

> Sounaka,

> > > > Kasyapa, Chyevava, Garga, Brihaspati etc. We should remember

> the

> > > > other reputed scholars like – Bhrigu (Sukra), Agastya, Suka,

> > Soma,

> > > > Skanda, Daksha, Surya etc as well. May be this classification

> > > itself

> > > > is not that correct, since every Rishi Kula may have their

> > > uniqueness

> > > > in the system of astrology taught and followed. [We shouldn't

> > > forget

> > > > the fact that different teachers teach even the same subject

> > > > differently, and therefore slight differences are always a

> > > > possibility]

> > > > • Unlike the ancient Rishis, Mihira also started mixing

> > Arsha

> > > > School of astrology with thoughts and ideas borrowed from

> Yavana

> > > > School, even though he never introduced hundreds of new ideas

> > like

> > > > Parasara. Even though Mihira was a great teacher this has

> became

> > a

> > > > big cause for confusion in later years. Parasara was a Rishi,

> > > Mihira

> > > > a scholar and there is no comparison, but both of them

borrowed

> > > ideas

> > > > from Yavana school and thus the original school and system

fell

> > > back

> > > > to the back side of memory, and logic and foundations an

almost

> > > lost

> > > > memory.

> > > >

> > > > This is the brief history of astrology. A problem originated

> due

> > > to

> > > > the presence of Yavana school of astrology, but for sure not

> > > caused

> > > > by it, as much as the later great scholars like Parasara and

> > > Mihira.

> > > > If Parasara and Mihira the great teachers of Indian astrology

> > > deserve

> > > > better blame, then how can we blame Yavana school of

astrology

> > and

> > > > the great Yavaneswara who peaks high among many?! This school

> of

> > > > astrology was successful in preserving its teachings and

books

> > > while

> > > > the Arsha school failed to do so!! Shouldn't we appreciate

> them,

> > > and

> > > > learn from them? They adopted even the Arsha (astrological)

> > ideas

> > > as

> > > > well and still preserves many and now without their minor

help

> > we

> > > can

> > > > not go back and retrieve our originals!!! Apart from this

what

> a

> > > > great system it in itself is!!

> > > > [This essay is becoming too long and so I would just brief

> about

> > > the

> > > > other gurus of this stream and conclude]

> > > > Sphujidhwaja

> > > > ----------------

> > > > He was an Indian king who was well versed in Sanskrit,

> > Vedic

> > > > philosophy and astrology. But he was a follower of Yavana

> school

> > > of

> > > > astrology and considers Yavaneswara as guru. A great text

with

> > the

> > > > name Sphujidhwaja Hora is available – and it is very good in

> > > > understanding the contributions of Yavana school.

> > > > Meenaraja

> > > > -------------

> > > > He too was an Indian king, well versed in Sanskrit, and

a

> > > > follower of Yavana school of astrology. A great text with the

> > name

> > > > Meenaraja Hora (Vridha Yavana Hora) is available. It too is a

> > very

> > > > good text.

> > > > Maya

> > > > ------

> > > > Many are confused about whether to call Maya `Yavana'

or

> > > not.

> > > > He is not the student of `Yavaneswara' but `Surya'. As we

know

> > > `Surya

> > > > Kula' was another great teaching center for astrology. Maya

> > > > modified/wrote `Surya Sidhanta', which later became the

> backbone

> > > of

> > > > Arsha school of astrology. So even if Maya is `Yavana', he is

> > > Yavana

> > > > of a different mould and is not part of the Yavana school of

> > > > astrology which started from `Yavaneswara'. He was a great

> > > architect

> > > > as well. Surya Sidhanta, Maya Hora, Maya Matam(Vastu) etc are

> > some

> > > of

> > > > the texts by him. He was true acharya with mathematical par

> > > > excellence, and may be only Aryabhata I of later years have

any

> > > > comparison to him. Maya is not part of this school of

astrology

> > > > taught by `Yavaneswara'.

> > > > Manindha

> > > > ------------

> > > > Manindha Hora is the text by him. Mihira mentions and

> > quotes

> > > > form this text and mention the name of Manindha with respect.

> > > Manidha

> > > > Hora is not available today.

> > > >

> > > > Srutakeerti

> > > > ---------------

> > > > Srutakeerti was a hindu king, but he followed Yavana

> > stream

> > > > of astrology. Srutakeerti Hora is the text by him. Mihira

> > > mentions

> > > > and quotes form this text and mention the name of

Sruitakeerti

> > > with

> > > > respect. Srutakeerti Hora is not available today.

> > > > Other gurus

> > > > --------------

> > > > There might have been many other gurus in this school

of

> > > > thought but the names of many are not popular may be due to

the

> > > all

> > > > covering presence of Sphujidhwaja and Meenaraja. Later people

> > > started

> > > > calling Sphujidhwaja by the name `Yavana'and Meenaraja by the

> > > > name `Vridha Yavana'. Only a few scholars were good enough to

> > come

> > > > out of this shade. One of them is Haraji.

> > > > Haraji

> > > > -------

> > > > He is the author of Manasagari Jataka padhati. He is a

> > > > Gujarat Brahmin born of `Sandilya gotra'. But he too followed

> > the

> > > > Yavana system of astrology. Therefore Manasagari Jataka

> padhati

> > > > should be considered as one of the last text in Yavana school

> of

> > > > astrology.

> > > > The Yavana school of astrology is one of the well

reputed

> > > and

> > > > respects schools of ancient Indian astrology, like the Arsha

> > > school &

> > > > Jain school of ancient Indian astrology. The now extinct

> > > prediction

> > > > schemes of Vedic school and Tantric school also needs

mention,

> > > from

> > > > which everything seems to have originated. (Call them Vedic

and

> > > Non-

> > > > Vedic or Nigama and Agama origin of everything if you want).

> > > >

===============================================================

> > > >

> > > > In this article I had tried to give a brief idea about

the

> > > Yavana

> > > > school of astrology and its books and masters, as far as I

> know.

> > > > History is not always simple – it always hides something far

> > > beneath

> > > > hiding even the sources for retrieving them. I hope this

> article

> > > may

> > > > help you in getting a glimpse of the almost forgotten history

> of

> > > > Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > Love,

> > > > Sreenadh

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

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Guest guest

Dear All,

 

There are a lot of funny things about punctuation marks. One story

which became quite famous a couple of years back with the

publication of a book by Lynn Truss goes as follows:

 

A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, and draws

a gun and fires two shots in the air.

 

" Why? " asks the waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The

panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over

his shoulder.

 

" I'm a panda, " he says, at the door. " Look it up. "

 

The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an

explanation.

 

" PANDA. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China.

Eats, shoots and leaves. "

 

SO, PUNCTUATION REALLY DOES MATTER, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY OCCASSIONALLY

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

 

There are many horror stories like this (though no one was hurt in

this one) which are humorous too!

 

 

Love,

Vinita

 

, " Sreenadh "

<sreesog wrote:

>

> Dear RK ji,

> Thanks for the directions. I found the follwing in one of my

> collections from the net. I don't remember from where I collected

it.

> But my regards to the person who listed them. I think it is time

that

> I should give a serious look at it. :)

> ================================================================

> 10 tips for better writing

> --------------------------

>

> The following list of tips should help you to avoid some of the

> most

> common slip-ups.

>

> 1. Capitals: Avoid the temptation to capitalize words in the

> middle

> of a sentence Just To Provide Emphasis Like This. If you want to

be

> more emphatic consider using bold face, italics, color or larger

> text.

>

> 2. Commas: The most common use of the comma is to join together

> short sentences to make a single longer sentence. We do this with

one

> of

> the following small joining words: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, or

> so.

> For example:

> We have finished the work, and we are looking forward to the

> weekend.

> Notice that the two halves of this sentence could each be

sentences

> in

> their own right. They thus need to be separated with a comma and

> joining word. In the next example, though, we don't need a comma:

We

> have

> finished the work and are looking forward to the weekend.

> The halves of that sentence could not stand alone, so no comma

was

> used.

>

> 3. Ellipsis: The ellipsis is a series of three -- and ONLY

THREE --

>

> full stops used to mark missing words, an uncertain pause, or an

> abrupt

> interruption. Avoid the temptation to use six or seven dots -- it

> looks

> amateurish. For example, we write:

>

>

> Niles: But Miss Fine's age is only ...

> Fran: Young! Miss Fine's age is only young!

>

> 4. Excessive punctuation:

>

> Only one exclamation mark or question mark should be used at a

> time.

> Consider the following over-punctuated examples:

>

>

> Buy now!!!

> Great bargains!!!!!!!!!! Excessive punctuation looks too much like

> hysteria and detracts from your credibility. Avoid it.

> 5. Headings:

> For long works, establish a clear hierarchy of headings. Microsoft

> Word's heading styles are great for this. (They also allow you to

> automatically create a table of contents.)

> 6. Hyphenating prefixes:Most prefixes don't need a hyphen; i.e.

we

> write " coexist " , not " co-exist " . There are exceptions, though. The

> prefixes " self- " and " ex- " are almost always hyphenated.

> 7. Numbers:Numbers of ten or less are normally written as words.

>

> 8. Quotation marks:

> Users of American English should use double quotes ( " " ). Users

of

> British English should choose either single quotes (' ') or double

> quotes

> and stick with them for the whole document. Incidentally, British

> English usage is increasingly moving towards single quotes.

>

> 9. Spaces: Modern style is to use a single space at the end of

a

> sentence, not two. Also, most punctuation marks (e.g. commas, full

> stops,

> question marks) are not preceded by a space.

>

> 10.Tables: Set table text one or two points smaller than the

main

> body text and in a sans-serif font such as Arial or Verdana. Avoid

> vertical lines as they tend to add unnecessary clutter.

> Armed with these simple guidelines, your business writing should

be

> well received every time. Good luck!

> =============================================================

> I am posting it here because I think that it may help many, like

it

> helped me.

> Love,

> Sreenadh

>

> , " Sreenadh "

> <sreesog@> wrote:

> >

> > Dear RK ji,

> > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > exclamation.

> > I am not that good in English, and is just learning to express

my

> > thought in it. :) Child's mistakes - since I am still seeking

for

> my

> > true style of words. :) I am suffering of poor vocabulary,

> indigested

> > words, and mal nutrition as far as English is concerned. ;)

> > May be you too can guide me in this regard. :)

> > Love,

> > Sreenadh

> >

> > , " arkaydash "

> > <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > >

> > > My dear Shreenadhji,

> > > As I size you up from feet upward I see this.

> > >

> > > " Trying to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is

going

> > to

> > > publish them? They are already born children - and in mean

time

> > more

> > > children take birth as well! What should I do??!!!!! "

> > >

> > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > exclamation. Well, your true-borns can be rendered 'dwija'.

Four

> > are

> > > quite many though. By and by we can make it.

> > >

> > > RK

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > , sree nadh

> > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Dear RK ji,

> > > > I have only the samples collected from every where, and

note

> > > many of those horas. :)

> > > > Yes, for sure we can share those samples. :)

> > > > I will start a try in some of the coming mails. :)

> > > >

> > > > P.S.: I am trying to make things systematic. That is -

> > > > First on schools - Then we would have an idea about the

> depths

> > > we are looking to.

> > > > Then about the methods (of interpretation) - Let us make

them

> > > systematic too.

> > > > Yes, some where in between, the point put forward by you

is

> > also

> > > very important - so I will give it prime importance too.

> > > >

> > > > ==>

> > > > These then are some of the articles you have published.

Share

> > > with

> > > > the forum some of your other publihed work.

> > > > <==

> > > > No! These are articles now written for this forum alone -

> They

> > > are now published articles. Most of my published works (not

much -

>

> > > only 4 books) are in malayalam - and would be no use to you.

> Trying

> > > to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going to

> > publish

> > > them? They are already born children - and in mean time more

> > > children take birth as well ! What should I do??!!!!! ;)

> > > > Love,

> > > > Sreenadh

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > arkaydash <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > > Dear S-ji

> > > >

> > > > These then are some of the articles you have published.

Share

> > with

> > > > the forum some of your other publihed work. Pls move on to

more

> > > > ready-to-use material.

> > > > I have a suggestion (more a request actually). Could you pls

> take

> > > > the pains of sampling here portions the precious Horas you

> have,

> > > > maybe step by step or at random depending on areas wanting

in

> > > > consensus.

> > > >

> > > > RK

> > > >

> > > > , " Sreenadh "

> > > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > Given below is an article on Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > >

> > > > >

==============================================================

> > > > > Yavana School of Astrology

> > > > > ==========================

> > > > > There is a controversy about the meaning of the word

Yavana.

> > > > Modern

> > > > > historians almost always erroneously take `Yavana' to mean

> > > > `Greek'.

> > > > > Of course Greeks where called Yavana by Indians for a long

> > time,

> > > > and

> > > > > so it is not completely wrong to take `Yavana' to mean

> `Greek'

> > > if

> > > > one

> > > > > is talking about the a limited historic period, i.e.

Period

> > > after

> > > > the

> > > > > invasion of Alexander. But when we look at the literature,

we

> > > see

> > > > > that the word Yavana is used to indicate Pharsi or Persian

in

> > > > several

> > > > > instances. The popular definition of this word, supported

by

> > > > classics

> > > > > is that, any person who is not a native of India and does

> > follow

> > > > our

> > > > > custom and tradition is called Yavana. So the point to be

> kept

> > > in

> > > > > mind is that-

> > > > > • The `Yavana' has some link outside India

> > > > > • Their tradition and system is slightly different

than

> > > ours.

> > > > > • The heir (sons and daughters) and successors of a

> > > `Yavana'

> > > > > (Guru-sishya paramapara) would be termed `Yavana'.

> > > > > The 3rd point is often ignored by even the learned. It

> > > essentially

> > > > > means that at times even people who were and born and

lived

> in

> > > > India,

> > > > > and even followed the Indian custom and tradition where

> > > > > termed `Yavana' only because, they were the descendents of

> > > > Yavana.

> > > > > Before the arrival of Greeks it was Persian peoples who

were

> > > known

> > > > by

> > > > > the word `Yavana', and even before that? Yes, at that time

it

> > > > could

> > > > > mean even people from `Afghanistan', `China', or `Egypt',

> i.e.

> > > any

> > > > > where outside India or their descendants or followers

> > (students).

> > > > > Yavaneswara

> > > > > ----------------

> > > > > Someone in ancient past brought some new knowledge of

> astrology

> > > to

> > > > > India. It was even before the period of Parasara (1400

BC),

> and

> > > > this

> > > > > great scholar gets mentioned by Parasara, Narada, Kasyapa

and

> > > many

> > > > > more. He must have been an astonishing store house of

> > knowledge,

> > > > and

> > > > > well versed in Sanskrit, even the Rishis considered him as

an

> > > > Rishi.

> > > > > His great knowledge, made Rishi Garga speak out-

> > > > > Mlescha hi yavanasteshu samyak sastramidam stitam

> > > > > Rishivattepi pujyante kim puna daiva vad dwija

> > > > > Meaning, even though a person outside from, by native

place

> or

> > > > > tradition followed, the knowledge of astrology is well

> settled

> > > and

> > > > > find comfort in `Yavana' (Yavana Kula). Because of this

they

> > are

> > > > > worshiped like Rishis. Then why not if a person who took

> second

> > > > birth

> > > > > by devoting himself to knowledge and is learning astrology?

> > > > > We should remember that Garga was the head guru (like

> > chancellor

> > > > of a

> > > > > university) of the Garga kula. Many great learning centers

> like

> > > > > Vasishta Kula, Kousika kula, Atri Kula, Mareechi Kula,

Angira

> > > > Kula,

> > > > > Bhrigu Kula, Chyvana Kula, Vyasa Kula etc existed at that

> > > period –

> > > >

> > > > > and the knowledge preserved was so vast. Garga know about

> this

> > > > all,

> > > > > and was part of this great tradition. Even then he felt

> > > astonished

> > > > by

> > > > > the astrological knowledge preserved and propagated by

> another

> > > > such

> > > > > learning center – Yavana Kula. This is wonderful! We could

> see

> > > > that

> > > > > later acharyas started mentioning the name of Yavanewara,

> > > > including

> > > > > him in the list of 18 great gurus of astrology. Narada,

> > Kasyapa,

> > > > > Parasara – no body failed to mention his name! How great

an

> > > > influence

> > > > > he and his school of thought would have been to Indian

> > > > astrology?!!

> > > > > Yes, this `Yavaneswara' is a great Rishi, vast treasure

house

> > of

> > > > > knowledge, worshiped Surya, had some connections outside

> India,

> > > > was

> > > > > well-versed in Sanskrit, was the head guru of Yavana Kula,

> and

> > > > lived

> > > > > before BC 1400. He very much appreciated the astrological

> > > > tradition

> > > > > and knowledge of India, adopted many concepts from India

> > streams

> > > > and

> > > > > tried to modify them. This too made the Indian scholars

give

> > > > special

> > > > > attention towards him. This is the knowledge we have about

> his

> > > > > mountainous individuality – he stands tall and unique even

> > among

> > > > the

> > > > > peaks!

> > > > > Yavanewara Hora is the text known by his name. His

successors

> > > > (sishya

> > > > > parampara) like Sphujidwaja, Meena raja amply quotes from

> this

> > > > text.

> > > > > Later day scholars like Mihira too quotes him and mentions

> the

> > > > > opinions by him. Yavanswara says that he got this

knowledge

> of

> > > > > astrology from Brahma (Prajapati), which indicates that he

> was

> > a

> > > > > follower of Indian tradition itself, but with somewhat

slight

> > > > > difference.

> > > > > Some problems surfacing

> > > > > -------------------------------

> > > > > If even Garga felt astonished by this knowledge stream how

> > > Mihira

> > > > can

> > > > > not? But due to these mutual appreciation (between Arsha

and

> > > > Yavana

> > > > > schools of astrology) and scholarly interaction many

problems

> > > > > surfaced. They are –

> > > > > • Ancient Indian Rishi Kulas appreciated the

knowledge

> of

> > > > > Yavana school, but never mixed it with there own system.

> > > > > • Even Garga was not an exception to this even though

he

> > > > > himself was somewhat outside the Arsha or Sanatana stream

due

> > to

> > > > the

> > > > > fact that he was a follower of Jain philosophy (originated

by

> > > > > Rishabha Deva). But we should also remember that at that

> time

> > > > Jain

> > > > > hadn't become a separate religion, but was part of the

Vedic

> > > > stream.

> > > > > • Just contrary to this, Yavaneswara tried to lean

all

> the

> > > > > Indian knowledge as well, modified it applying logic, and

> > taught

> > > > them

> > > > > as well in his guru kula. This is evident from the example

of

> > > > Nabhasa

> > > > > yogas. Nabhasa Yogas are just mentioned in Arha (Sanatana)

> > Rishi

> > > > > horas like Skanda hora, Brihal prajaptyam etc, but

> Yavaneswara

> > > > took

> > > > > this concept and made the number of named Nabhasa Yogas

1800

> by

> > > > > applying permutation combination!!!!! The concept of

Nabhasa

> > > yogas

> > > > > were not totally in line with the foundations of ancient

> Indian

> > > > > astrology, that is why the Indian Rishis didn't gave much

> > > > importance

> > > > > to them. Yavanewara never bothered about it, took this

> concept,

> > > > and

> > > > > applied maths to it! The result was 1800 Nabhasa yogas,

out

> of

> > > > which

> > > > > hundreds of them were astronomical impossibilities!! Here

we

> > see

> > > > the

> > > > > type of interaction and the reason for respect or

disrespect.

> > > > > • In the Arsha system of Parasara started mixing the

> > > concepts

> > > > > of Yavana, and many of his new concepts as well. Due to

this

> he

> > > > was

> > > > > also not considered as a true follower of Arsha stream,

and

> was

> > > > even

> > > > > called Yavana at times, even though he was not Yavana.

What

> > ever

> > > > that

> > > > > be, Parasara is also honored among the 18 great gurus of

> > > > Astrology.

> > > > > We should remember that, Yavana, Romaka, Poulisa, Lomasa &

> > > > Parasara

> > > > > schools may not be part of the true (Arsha/Sanatana)

stream

> of

> > > > > astrology. But there was a lot of give and take, and they

> where

> > > > also

> > > > > honored among the 18 like the Rishis of Arsha stream –

> Brahma,

> > > > > Vasishta, Kousika, Atri, Manu, Mareechi, Angira, Vyasa,

> > Sounaka,

> > > > > Kasyapa, Chyevava, Garga, Brihaspati etc. We should

remember

> > the

> > > > > other reputed scholars like – Bhrigu (Sukra), Agastya,

Suka,

> > > Soma,

> > > > > Skanda, Daksha, Surya etc as well. May be this

classification

> > > > itself

> > > > > is not that correct, since every Rishi Kula may have their

> > > > uniqueness

> > > > > in the system of astrology taught and followed. [We

shouldn't

> > > > forget

> > > > > the fact that different teachers teach even the same

subject

> > > > > differently, and therefore slight differences are always a

> > > > > possibility]

> > > > > • Unlike the ancient Rishis, Mihira also started

mixing

> > > Arsha

> > > > > School of astrology with thoughts and ideas borrowed from

> > Yavana

> > > > > School, even though he never introduced hundreds of new

ideas

> > > like

> > > > > Parasara. Even though Mihira was a great teacher this has

> > became

> > > a

> > > > > big cause for confusion in later years. Parasara was a

Rishi,

> > > > Mihira

> > > > > a scholar and there is no comparison, but both of them

> borrowed

> > > > ideas

> > > > > from Yavana school and thus the original school and system

> fell

> > > > back

> > > > > to the back side of memory, and logic and foundations an

> almost

> > > > lost

> > > > > memory.

> > > > >

> > > > > This is the brief history of astrology. A problem

originated

> > due

> > > > to

> > > > > the presence of Yavana school of astrology, but for sure

not

> > > > caused

> > > > > by it, as much as the later great scholars like Parasara

and

> > > > Mihira.

> > > > > If Parasara and Mihira the great teachers of Indian

astrology

> > > > deserve

> > > > > better blame, then how can we blame Yavana school of

> astrology

> > > and

> > > > > the great Yavaneswara who peaks high among many?! This

school

> > of

> > > > > astrology was successful in preserving its teachings and

> books

> > > > while

> > > > > the Arsha school failed to do so!! Shouldn't we appreciate

> > them,

> > > > and

> > > > > learn from them? They adopted even the Arsha

(astrological)

> > > ideas

> > > > as

> > > > > well and still preserves many and now without their minor

> help

> > > we

> > > > can

> > > > > not go back and retrieve our originals!!! Apart from this

> what

> > a

> > > > > great system it in itself is!!

> > > > > [This essay is becoming too long and so I would just brief

> > about

> > > > the

> > > > > other gurus of this stream and conclude]

> > > > > Sphujidhwaja

> > > > > ----------------

> > > > > He was an Indian king who was well versed in

Sanskrit,

> > > Vedic

> > > > > philosophy and astrology. But he was a follower of Yavana

> > school

> > > > of

> > > > > astrology and considers Yavaneswara as guru. A great text

> with

> > > the

> > > > > name Sphujidhwaja Hora is available – and it is very good

in

> > > > > understanding the contributions of Yavana school.

> > > > > Meenaraja

> > > > > -------------

> > > > > He too was an Indian king, well versed in Sanskrit,

and

> a

> > > > > follower of Yavana school of astrology. A great text with

the

> > > name

> > > > > Meenaraja Hora (Vridha Yavana Hora) is available. It too

is a

> > > very

> > > > > good text.

> > > > > Maya

> > > > > ------

> > > > > Many are confused about whether to call Maya

`Yavana'

> or

> > > > not.

> > > > > He is not the student of `Yavaneswara' but `Surya'. As we

> know

> > > > `Surya

> > > > > Kula' was another great teaching center for astrology.

Maya

> > > > > modified/wrote `Surya Sidhanta', which later became the

> > backbone

> > > > of

> > > > > Arsha school of astrology. So even if Maya is `Yavana', he

is

> > > > Yavana

> > > > > of a different mould and is not part of the Yavana school

of

> > > > > astrology which started from `Yavaneswara'. He was a great

> > > > architect

> > > > > as well. Surya Sidhanta, Maya Hora, Maya Matam(Vastu) etc

are

> > > some

> > > > of

> > > > > the texts by him. He was true acharya with mathematical

par

> > > > > excellence, and may be only Aryabhata I of later years

have

> any

> > > > > comparison to him. Maya is not part of this school of

> astrology

> > > > > taught by `Yavaneswara'.

> > > > > Manindha

> > > > > ------------

> > > > > Manindha Hora is the text by him. Mihira mentions

and

> > > quotes

> > > > > form this text and mention the name of Manindha with

respect.

> > > > Manidha

> > > > > Hora is not available today.

> > > > >

> > > > > Srutakeerti

> > > > > ---------------

> > > > > Srutakeerti was a hindu king, but he followed Yavana

> > > stream

> > > > > of astrology. Srutakeerti Hora is the text by him.

Mihira

> > > > mentions

> > > > > and quotes form this text and mention the name of

> Sruitakeerti

> > > > with

> > > > > respect. Srutakeerti Hora is not available today.

> > > > > Other gurus

> > > > > --------------

> > > > > There might have been many other gurus in this

school

> of

> > > > > thought but the names of many are not popular may be due

to

> the

> > > > all

> > > > > covering presence of Sphujidhwaja and Meenaraja. Later

people

> > > > started

> > > > > calling Sphujidhwaja by the name `Yavana'and Meenaraja by

the

> > > > > name `Vridha Yavana'. Only a few scholars were good enough

to

> > > come

> > > > > out of this shade. One of them is Haraji.

> > > > > Haraji

> > > > > -------

> > > > > He is the author of Manasagari Jataka padhati. He

is a

> > > > > Gujarat Brahmin born of `Sandilya gotra'. But he too

followed

> > > the

> > > > > Yavana system of astrology. Therefore Manasagari Jataka

> > padhati

> > > > > should be considered as one of the last text in Yavana

school

> > of

> > > > > astrology.

> > > > > The Yavana school of astrology is one of the well

> reputed

> > > > and

> > > > > respects schools of ancient Indian astrology, like the

Arsha

> > > > school &

> > > > > Jain school of ancient Indian astrology. The now extinct

> > > > prediction

> > > > > schemes of Vedic school and Tantric school also needs

> mention,

> > > > from

> > > > > which everything seems to have originated. (Call them

Vedic

> and

> > > > Non-

> > > > > Vedic or Nigama and Agama origin of everything if you

want).

> > > > >

> ===============================================================

> > > > >

> > > > > In this article I had tried to give a brief idea about

> the

> > > > Yavana

> > > > > school of astrology and its books and masters, as far as I

> > know.

> > > > > History is not always simple – it always hides something

far

> > > > beneath

> > > > > hiding even the sources for retrieving them. I hope this

> > article

> > > > may

> > > > > help you in getting a glimpse of the almost forgotten

history

> > of

> > > > > Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > > Love,

> > > > > Sreenadh

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

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Vinitaji,

Not just punctuation .... even spellings and grammar matter.

Pradeep

 

 

, " vinita kumar "

<shankar_mamta wrote:

>

> Dear All,

>

> There are a lot of funny things about punctuation marks. One story

> which became quite famous a couple of years back with the

> publication of a book by Lynn Truss goes as follows:

>

> A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, and draws

> a gun and fires two shots in the air.

>

> " Why? " asks the waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The

> panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over

> his shoulder.

>

> " I'm a panda, " he says, at the door. " Look it up. "

>

> The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an

> explanation.

>

> " PANDA. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China.

> Eats, shoots and leaves. "

>

> SO, PUNCTUATION REALLY DOES MATTER, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY OCCASSIONALLY

> A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

>

> There are many horror stories like this (though no one was hurt in

> this one) which are humorous too!

>

>

> Love,

> Vinita

>

> , " Sreenadh "

> <sreesog@> wrote:

> >

> > Dear RK ji,

> > Thanks for the directions. I found the follwing in one of my

> > collections from the net. I don't remember from where I collected

> it.

> > But my regards to the person who listed them. I think it is time

> that

> > I should give a serious look at it. :)

> > ================================================================

> > 10 tips for better writing

> > --------------------------

> >

> > The following list of tips should help you to avoid some of the

> > most

> > common slip-ups.

> >

> > 1. Capitals: Avoid the temptation to capitalize words in the

> > middle

> > of a sentence Just To Provide Emphasis Like This. If you want to

> be

> > more emphatic consider using bold face, italics, color or larger

> > text.

> >

> > 2. Commas: The most common use of the comma is to join together

> > short sentences to make a single longer sentence. We do this with

> one

> > of

> > the following small joining words: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, or

> > so.

> > For example:

> > We have finished the work, and we are looking forward to the

> > weekend.

> > Notice that the two halves of this sentence could each be

> sentences

> > in

> > their own right. They thus need to be separated with a comma and

> > joining word. In the next example, though, we don't need a comma:

> We

> > have

> > finished the work and are looking forward to the weekend.

> > The halves of that sentence could not stand alone, so no comma

> was

> > used.

> >

> > 3. Ellipsis: The ellipsis is a series of three -- and ONLY

> THREE --

> >

> > full stops used to mark missing words, an uncertain pause, or an

> > abrupt

> > interruption. Avoid the temptation to use six or seven dots -- it

> > looks

> > amateurish. For example, we write:

> >

> >

> > Niles: But Miss Fine's age is only ...

> > Fran: Young! Miss Fine's age is only young!

> >

> > 4. Excessive punctuation:

> >

> > Only one exclamation mark or question mark should be used at a

> > time.

> > Consider the following over-punctuated examples:

> >

> >

> > Buy now!!!

> > Great bargains!!!!!!!!!! Excessive punctuation looks too much like

> > hysteria and detracts from your credibility. Avoid it.

> > 5. Headings:

> > For long works, establish a clear hierarchy of headings. Microsoft

> > Word's heading styles are great for this. (They also allow you to

> > automatically create a table of contents.)

> > 6. Hyphenating prefixes:Most prefixes don't need a hyphen; i.e.

> we

> > write " coexist " , not " co-exist " . There are exceptions, though. The

> > prefixes " self- " and " ex- " are almost always hyphenated.

> > 7. Numbers:Numbers of ten or less are normally written as words.

> >

> > 8. Quotation marks:

> > Users of American English should use double quotes ( " " ). Users

> of

> > British English should choose either single quotes (' ') or double

> > quotes

> > and stick with them for the whole document. Incidentally, British

> > English usage is increasingly moving towards single quotes.

> >

> > 9. Spaces: Modern style is to use a single space at the end of

> a

> > sentence, not two. Also, most punctuation marks (e.g. commas, full

> > stops,

> > question marks) are not preceded by a space.

> >

> > 10.Tables: Set table text one or two points smaller than the

> main

> > body text and in a sans-serif font such as Arial or Verdana. Avoid

> > vertical lines as they tend to add unnecessary clutter.

> > Armed with these simple guidelines, your business writing should

> be

> > well received every time. Good luck!

> > =============================================================

> > I am posting it here because I think that it may help many, like

> it

> > helped me.

> > Love,

> > Sreenadh

> >

> > , " Sreenadh "

> > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear RK ji,

> > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > > exclamation.

> > > I am not that good in English, and is just learning to express

> my

> > > thought in it. :) Child's mistakes - since I am still seeking

> for

> > my

> > > true style of words. :) I am suffering of poor vocabulary,

> > indigested

> > > words, and mal nutrition as far as English is concerned. ;)

> > > May be you too can guide me in this regard. :)

> > > Love,

> > > Sreenadh

> > >

> > > , " arkaydash "

> > > <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > My dear Shreenadhji,

> > > > As I size you up from feet upward I see this.

> > > >

> > > > " Trying to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is

> going

> > > to

> > > > publish them? They are already born children - and in mean

> time

> > > more

> > > > children take birth as well! What should I do??!!!!! "

> > > >

> > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > > exclamation. Well, your true-borns can be rendered 'dwija'.

> Four

> > > are

> > > > quite many though. By and by we can make it.

> > > >

> > > > RK

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , sree nadh

> > > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear RK ji,

> > > > > I have only the samples collected from every where, and

> note

> > > > many of those horas. :)

> > > > > Yes, for sure we can share those samples. :)

> > > > > I will start a try in some of the coming mails. :)

> > > > >

> > > > > P.S.: I am trying to make things systematic. That is -

> > > > > First on schools - Then we would have an idea about the

> > depths

> > > > we are looking to.

> > > > > Then about the methods (of interpretation) - Let us make

> them

> > > > systematic too.

> > > > > Yes, some where in between, the point put forward by you

> is

> > > also

> > > > very important - so I will give it prime importance too.

> > > > >

> > > > > ==>

> > > > > These then are some of the articles you have published.

> Share

> > > > with

> > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work.

> > > > > <==

> > > > > No! These are articles now written for this forum alone -

> > They

> > > > are now published articles. Most of my published works (not

> much -

> >

> > > > only 4 books) are in malayalam - and would be no use to you.

> > Trying

> > > > to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going to

> > > publish

> > > > them? They are already born children - and in mean time more

> > > > children take birth as well ! What should I do??!!!!! ;)

> > > > > Love,

> > > > > Sreenadh

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > arkaydash <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > > > Dear S-ji

> > > > >

> > > > > These then are some of the articles you have published.

> Share

> > > with

> > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work. Pls move on to

> more

> > > > > ready-to-use material.

> > > > > I have a suggestion (more a request actually). Could you pls

> > take

> > > > > the pains of sampling here portions the precious Horas you

> > have,

> > > > > maybe step by step or at random depending on areas wanting

> in

> > > > > consensus.

> > > > >

> > > > > RK

> > > > >

> > > > > , " Sreenadh "

> > > > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > > Given below is an article on Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> ==============================================================

> > > > > > Yavana School of Astrology

> > > > > > ==========================

> > > > > > There is a controversy about the meaning of the word

> Yavana.

> > > > > Modern

> > > > > > historians almost always erroneously take `Yavana' to mean

> > > > > `Greek'.

> > > > > > Of course Greeks where called Yavana by Indians for a long

> > > time,

> > > > > and

> > > > > > so it is not completely wrong to take `Yavana' to mean

> > `Greek'

> > > > if

> > > > > one

> > > > > > is talking about the a limited historic period, i.e.

> Period

> > > > after

> > > > > the

> > > > > > invasion of Alexander. But when we look at the literature,

> we

> > > > see

> > > > > > that the word Yavana is used to indicate Pharsi or Persian

> in

> > > > > several

> > > > > > instances. The popular definition of this word, supported

> by

> > > > > classics

> > > > > > is that, any person who is not a native of India and does

> > > follow

> > > > > our

> > > > > > custom and tradition is called Yavana. So the point to be

> > kept

> > > > in

> > > > > > mind is that-

> > > > > > • The `Yavana' has some link outside India

> > > > > > • Their tradition and system is slightly different

> than

> > > > ours.

> > > > > > • The heir (sons and daughters) and successors of a

> > > > `Yavana'

> > > > > > (Guru-sishya paramapara) would be termed `Yavana'.

> > > > > > The 3rd point is often ignored by even the learned. It

> > > > essentially

> > > > > > means that at times even people who were and born and

> lived

> > in

> > > > > India,

> > > > > > and even followed the Indian custom and tradition where

> > > > > > termed `Yavana' only because, they were the descendents of

> > > > > Yavana.

> > > > > > Before the arrival of Greeks it was Persian peoples who

> were

> > > > known

> > > > > by

> > > > > > the word `Yavana', and even before that? Yes, at that time

> it

> > > > > could

> > > > > > mean even people from `Afghanistan', `China', or `Egypt',

> > i.e.

> > > > any

> > > > > > where outside India or their descendants or followers

> > > (students).

> > > > > > Yavaneswara

> > > > > > ----------------

> > > > > > Someone in ancient past brought some new knowledge of

> > astrology

> > > > to

> > > > > > India. It was even before the period of Parasara (1400

> BC),

> > and

> > > > > this

> > > > > > great scholar gets mentioned by Parasara, Narada, Kasyapa

> and

> > > > many

> > > > > > more. He must have been an astonishing store house of

> > > knowledge,

> > > > > and

> > > > > > well versed in Sanskrit, even the Rishis considered him as

> an

> > > > > Rishi.

> > > > > > His great knowledge, made Rishi Garga speak out-

> > > > > > Mlescha hi yavanasteshu samyak sastramidam stitam

> > > > > > Rishivattepi pujyante kim puna daiva vad dwija

> > > > > > Meaning, even though a person outside from, by native

> place

> > or

> > > > > > tradition followed, the knowledge of astrology is well

> > settled

> > > > and

> > > > > > find comfort in `Yavana' (Yavana Kula). Because of this

> they

> > > are

> > > > > > worshiped like Rishis. Then why not if a person who took

> > second

> > > > > birth

> > > > > > by devoting himself to knowledge and is learning astrology?

> > > > > > We should remember that Garga was the head guru (like

> > > chancellor

> > > > > of a

> > > > > > university) of the Garga kula. Many great learning centers

> > like

> > > > > > Vasishta Kula, Kousika kula, Atri Kula, Mareechi Kula,

> Angira

> > > > > Kula,

> > > > > > Bhrigu Kula, Chyvana Kula, Vyasa Kula etc existed at that

> > > > period –

> > > > >

> > > > > > and the knowledge preserved was so vast. Garga know about

> > this

> > > > > all,

> > > > > > and was part of this great tradition. Even then he felt

> > > > astonished

> > > > > by

> > > > > > the astrological knowledge preserved and propagated by

> > another

> > > > > such

> > > > > > learning center – Yavana Kula. This is wonderful! We could

> > see

> > > > > that

> > > > > > later acharyas started mentioning the name of Yavanewara,

> > > > > including

> > > > > > him in the list of 18 great gurus of astrology. Narada,

> > > Kasyapa,

> > > > > > Parasara – no body failed to mention his name! How great

> an

> > > > > influence

> > > > > > he and his school of thought would have been to Indian

> > > > > astrology?!!

> > > > > > Yes, this `Yavaneswara' is a great Rishi, vast treasure

> house

> > > of

> > > > > > knowledge, worshiped Surya, had some connections outside

> > India,

> > > > > was

> > > > > > well-versed in Sanskrit, was the head guru of Yavana Kula,

> > and

> > > > > lived

> > > > > > before BC 1400. He very much appreciated the astrological

> > > > > tradition

> > > > > > and knowledge of India, adopted many concepts from India

> > > streams

> > > > > and

> > > > > > tried to modify them. This too made the Indian scholars

> give

> > > > > special

> > > > > > attention towards him. This is the knowledge we have about

> > his

> > > > > > mountainous individuality – he stands tall and unique even

> > > among

> > > > > the

> > > > > > peaks!

> > > > > > Yavanewara Hora is the text known by his name. His

> successors

> > > > > (sishya

> > > > > > parampara) like Sphujidwaja, Meena raja amply quotes from

> > this

> > > > > text.

> > > > > > Later day scholars like Mihira too quotes him and mentions

> > the

> > > > > > opinions by him. Yavanswara says that he got this

> knowledge

> > of

> > > > > > astrology from Brahma (Prajapati), which indicates that he

> > was

> > > a

> > > > > > follower of Indian tradition itself, but with somewhat

> slight

> > > > > > difference.

> > > > > > Some problems surfacing

> > > > > > -------------------------------

> > > > > > If even Garga felt astonished by this knowledge stream how

> > > > Mihira

> > > > > can

> > > > > > not? But due to these mutual appreciation (between Arsha

> and

> > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > schools of astrology) and scholarly interaction many

> problems

> > > > > > surfaced. They are –

> > > > > > • Ancient Indian Rishi Kulas appreciated the

> knowledge

> > of

> > > > > > Yavana school, but never mixed it with there own system.

> > > > > > • Even Garga was not an exception to this even though

> he

> > > > > > himself was somewhat outside the Arsha or Sanatana stream

> due

> > > to

> > > > > the

> > > > > > fact that he was a follower of Jain philosophy (originated

> by

> > > > > > Rishabha Deva). But we should also remember that at that

> > time

> > > > > Jain

> > > > > > hadn't become a separate religion, but was part of the

> Vedic

> > > > > stream.

> > > > > > • Just contrary to this, Yavaneswara tried to lean

> all

> > the

> > > > > > Indian knowledge as well, modified it applying logic, and

> > > taught

> > > > > them

> > > > > > as well in his guru kula. This is evident from the example

> of

> > > > > Nabhasa

> > > > > > yogas. Nabhasa Yogas are just mentioned in Arha (Sanatana)

> > > Rishi

> > > > > > horas like Skanda hora, Brihal prajaptyam etc, but

> > Yavaneswara

> > > > > took

> > > > > > this concept and made the number of named Nabhasa Yogas

> 1800

> > by

> > > > > > applying permutation combination!!!!! The concept of

> Nabhasa

> > > > yogas

> > > > > > were not totally in line with the foundations of ancient

> > Indian

> > > > > > astrology, that is why the Indian Rishis didn't gave much

> > > > > importance

> > > > > > to them. Yavanewara never bothered about it, took this

> > concept,

> > > > > and

> > > > > > applied maths to it! The result was 1800 Nabhasa yogas,

> out

> > of

> > > > > which

> > > > > > hundreds of them were astronomical impossibilities!! Here

> we

> > > see

> > > > > the

> > > > > > type of interaction and the reason for respect or

> disrespect.

> > > > > > • In the Arsha system of Parasara started mixing the

> > > > concepts

> > > > > > of Yavana, and many of his new concepts as well. Due to

> this

> > he

> > > > > was

> > > > > > also not considered as a true follower of Arsha stream,

> and

> > was

> > > > > even

> > > > > > called Yavana at times, even though he was not Yavana.

> What

> > > ever

> > > > > that

> > > > > > be, Parasara is also honored among the 18 great gurus of

> > > > > Astrology.

> > > > > > We should remember that, Yavana, Romaka, Poulisa, Lomasa &

> > > > > Parasara

> > > > > > schools may not be part of the true (Arsha/Sanatana)

> stream

> > of

> > > > > > astrology. But there was a lot of give and take, and they

> > where

> > > > > also

> > > > > > honored among the 18 like the Rishis of Arsha stream –

> > Brahma,

> > > > > > Vasishta, Kousika, Atri, Manu, Mareechi, Angira, Vyasa,

> > > Sounaka,

> > > > > > Kasyapa, Chyevava, Garga, Brihaspati etc. We should

> remember

> > > the

> > > > > > other reputed scholars like – Bhrigu (Sukra), Agastya,

> Suka,

> > > > Soma,

> > > > > > Skanda, Daksha, Surya etc as well. May be this

> classification

> > > > > itself

> > > > > > is not that correct, since every Rishi Kula may have their

> > > > > uniqueness

> > > > > > in the system of astrology taught and followed. [We

> shouldn't

> > > > > forget

> > > > > > the fact that different teachers teach even the same

> subject

> > > > > > differently, and therefore slight differences are always a

> > > > > > possibility]

> > > > > > • Unlike the ancient Rishis, Mihira also started

> mixing

> > > > Arsha

> > > > > > School of astrology with thoughts and ideas borrowed from

> > > Yavana

> > > > > > School, even though he never introduced hundreds of new

> ideas

> > > > like

> > > > > > Parasara. Even though Mihira was a great teacher this has

> > > became

> > > > a

> > > > > > big cause for confusion in later years. Parasara was a

> Rishi,

> > > > > Mihira

> > > > > > a scholar and there is no comparison, but both of them

> > borrowed

> > > > > ideas

> > > > > > from Yavana school and thus the original school and system

> > fell

> > > > > back

> > > > > > to the back side of memory, and logic and foundations an

> > almost

> > > > > lost

> > > > > > memory.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > This is the brief history of astrology. A problem

> originated

> > > due

> > > > > to

> > > > > > the presence of Yavana school of astrology, but for sure

> not

> > > > > caused

> > > > > > by it, as much as the later great scholars like Parasara

> and

> > > > > Mihira.

> > > > > > If Parasara and Mihira the great teachers of Indian

> astrology

> > > > > deserve

> > > > > > better blame, then how can we blame Yavana school of

> > astrology

> > > > and

> > > > > > the great Yavaneswara who peaks high among many?! This

> school

> > > of

> > > > > > astrology was successful in preserving its teachings and

> > books

> > > > > while

> > > > > > the Arsha school failed to do so!! Shouldn't we appreciate

> > > them,

> > > > > and

> > > > > > learn from them? They adopted even the Arsha

> (astrological)

> > > > ideas

> > > > > as

> > > > > > well and still preserves many and now without their minor

> > help

> > > > we

> > > > > can

> > > > > > not go back and retrieve our originals!!! Apart from this

> > what

> > > a

> > > > > > great system it in itself is!!

> > > > > > [This essay is becoming too long and so I would just brief

> > > about

> > > > > the

> > > > > > other gurus of this stream and conclude]

> > > > > > Sphujidhwaja

> > > > > > ----------------

> > > > > > He was an Indian king who was well versed in

> Sanskrit,

> > > > Vedic

> > > > > > philosophy and astrology. But he was a follower of Yavana

> > > school

> > > > > of

> > > > > > astrology and considers Yavaneswara as guru. A great text

> > with

> > > > the

> > > > > > name Sphujidhwaja Hora is available – and it is very good

> in

> > > > > > understanding the contributions of Yavana school.

> > > > > > Meenaraja

> > > > > > -------------

> > > > > > He too was an Indian king, well versed in Sanskrit,

> and

> > a

> > > > > > follower of Yavana school of astrology. A great text with

> the

> > > > name

> > > > > > Meenaraja Hora (Vridha Yavana Hora) is available. It too

> is a

> > > > very

> > > > > > good text.

> > > > > > Maya

> > > > > > ------

> > > > > > Many are confused about whether to call Maya

> `Yavana'

> > or

> > > > > not.

> > > > > > He is not the student of `Yavaneswara' but `Surya'. As we

> > know

> > > > > `Surya

> > > > > > Kula' was another great teaching center for astrology.

> Maya

> > > > > > modified/wrote `Surya Sidhanta', which later became the

> > > backbone

> > > > > of

> > > > > > Arsha school of astrology. So even if Maya is `Yavana', he

> is

> > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > of a different mould and is not part of the Yavana school

> of

> > > > > > astrology which started from `Yavaneswara'. He was a great

> > > > > architect

> > > > > > as well. Surya Sidhanta, Maya Hora, Maya Matam(Vastu) etc

> are

> > > > some

> > > > > of

> > > > > > the texts by him. He was true acharya with mathematical

> par

> > > > > > excellence, and may be only Aryabhata I of later years

> have

> > any

> > > > > > comparison to him. Maya is not part of this school of

> > astrology

> > > > > > taught by `Yavaneswara'.

> > > > > > Manindha

> > > > > > ------------

> > > > > > Manindha Hora is the text by him. Mihira mentions

> and

> > > > quotes

> > > > > > form this text and mention the name of Manindha with

> respect.

> > > > > Manidha

> > > > > > Hora is not available today.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Srutakeerti

> > > > > > ---------------

> > > > > > Srutakeerti was a hindu king, but he followed Yavana

> > > > stream

> > > > > > of astrology. Srutakeerti Hora is the text by him.

> Mihira

> > > > > mentions

> > > > > > and quotes form this text and mention the name of

> > Sruitakeerti

> > > > > with

> > > > > > respect. Srutakeerti Hora is not available today.

> > > > > > Other gurus

> > > > > > --------------

> > > > > > There might have been many other gurus in this

> school

> > of

> > > > > > thought but the names of many are not popular may be due

> to

> > the

> > > > > all

> > > > > > covering presence of Sphujidhwaja and Meenaraja. Later

> people

> > > > > started

> > > > > > calling Sphujidhwaja by the name `Yavana'and Meenaraja by

> the

> > > > > > name `Vridha Yavana'. Only a few scholars were good enough

> to

> > > > come

> > > > > > out of this shade. One of them is Haraji.

> > > > > > Haraji

> > > > > > -------

> > > > > > He is the author of Manasagari Jataka padhati. He

> is a

> > > > > > Gujarat Brahmin born of `Sandilya gotra'. But he too

> followed

> > > > the

> > > > > > Yavana system of astrology. Therefore Manasagari Jataka

> > > padhati

> > > > > > should be considered as one of the last text in Yavana

> school

> > > of

> > > > > > astrology.

> > > > > > The Yavana school of astrology is one of the well

> > reputed

> > > > > and

> > > > > > respects schools of ancient Indian astrology, like the

> Arsha

> > > > > school &

> > > > > > Jain school of ancient Indian astrology. The now extinct

> > > > > prediction

> > > > > > schemes of Vedic school and Tantric school also needs

> > mention,

> > > > > from

> > > > > > which everything seems to have originated. (Call them

> Vedic

> > and

> > > > > Non-

> > > > > > Vedic or Nigama and Agama origin of everything if you

> want).

> > > > > >

> > ===============================================================

> > > > > >

> > > > > > In this article I had tried to give a brief idea about

> > the

> > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > school of astrology and its books and masters, as far as I

> > > know.

> > > > > > History is not always simple – it always hides something

> far

> > > > > beneath

> > > > > > hiding even the sources for retrieving them. I hope this

> > > article

> > > > > may

> > > > > > help you in getting a glimpse of the almost forgotten

> history

> > > of

> > > > > > Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > > > Love,

> > > > > > Sreenadh

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

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Dear Pradeepji,

 

I remember somebody had once posted a whole big paragraph consisting

of miserably misspelt words -- but because of some key letters in

each word one could read the entire para without any difficulty.

 

I was myself quite surprised at this.

 

Similarly, often when our grammar is wrong, the sentence still makes

sense.

 

But remove a small comma after Eats....and the entire definition of

the Panda changes to " Eats shoots and leaves. "

 

In urdu they say that with one " nukta " " khuda " becomes " juda " . Look

at the power of separation of the dot here.(But that belongs to the

area of spelling, i suppose).

 

Love,

 

Vinita

 

, " Pradeep "

<psd1955 wrote:

>

> Vinitaji,

> Not just punctuation .... even spellings and grammar matter.

> Pradeep

>

>

> , " vinita kumar "

> <shankar_mamta@> wrote:

> >

> > Dear All,

> >

> > There are a lot of funny things about punctuation marks. One

story

> > which became quite famous a couple of years back with the

> > publication of a book by Lynn Truss goes as follows:

> >

> > A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, and

draws

> > a gun and fires two shots in the air.

> >

> > " Why? " asks the waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The

> > panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it

over

> > his shoulder.

> >

> > " I'm a panda, " he says, at the door. " Look it up. "

> >

> > The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds

an

> > explanation.

> >

> > " PANDA. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China.

> > Eats, shoots and leaves. "

> >

> > SO, PUNCTUATION REALLY DOES MATTER, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY

OCCASSIONALLY

> > A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

> >

> > There are many horror stories like this (though no one was hurt

in

> > this one) which are humorous too!

> >

> >

> > Love,

> > Vinita

> >

> > , " Sreenadh "

> > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear RK ji,

> > > Thanks for the directions. I found the follwing in one of my

> > > collections from the net. I don't remember from where I

collected

> > it.

> > > But my regards to the person who listed them. I think it is

time

> > that

> > > I should give a serious look at it. :)

> > >

================================================================

> > > 10 tips for better writing

> > > --------------------------

> > >

> > > The following list of tips should help you to avoid some of

the

> > > most

> > > common slip-ups.

> > >

> > > 1. Capitals: Avoid the temptation to capitalize words in

the

> > > middle

> > > of a sentence Just To Provide Emphasis Like This. If you want

to

> > be

> > > more emphatic consider using bold face, italics, color or

larger

> > > text.

> > >

> > > 2. Commas: The most common use of the comma is to join

together

> > > short sentences to make a single longer sentence. We do this

with

> > one

> > > of

> > > the following small joining words: and, or, but, yet, for,

nor, or

> > > so.

> > > For example:

> > > We have finished the work, and we are looking forward to the

> > > weekend.

> > > Notice that the two halves of this sentence could each be

> > sentences

> > > in

> > > their own right. They thus need to be separated with a comma

and

> > > joining word. In the next example, though, we don't need a

comma:

> > We

> > > have

> > > finished the work and are looking forward to the weekend.

> > > The halves of that sentence could not stand alone, so no

comma

> > was

> > > used.

> > >

> > > 3. Ellipsis: The ellipsis is a series of three -- and ONLY

> > THREE --

> > >

> > > full stops used to mark missing words, an uncertain pause, or

an

> > > abrupt

> > > interruption. Avoid the temptation to use six or seven dots --

it

> > > looks

> > > amateurish. For example, we write:

> > >

> > >

> > > Niles: But Miss Fine's age is only ...

> > > Fran: Young! Miss Fine's age is only young!

> > >

> > > 4. Excessive punctuation:

> > >

> > > Only one exclamation mark or question mark should be used at

a

> > > time.

> > > Consider the following over-punctuated examples:

> > >

> > >

> > > Buy now!!!

> > > Great bargains!!!!!!!!!! Excessive punctuation looks too much

like

> > > hysteria and detracts from your credibility. Avoid it.

> > > 5. Headings:

> > > For long works, establish a clear hierarchy of headings.

Microsoft

> > > Word's heading styles are great for this. (They also allow you

to

> > > automatically create a table of contents.)

> > > 6. Hyphenating prefixes:Most prefixes don't need a hyphen;

i.e.

> > we

> > > write " coexist " , not " co-exist " . There are exceptions, though.

The

> > > prefixes " self- " and " ex- " are almost always hyphenated.

> > > 7. Numbers:Numbers of ten or less are normally written as

words.

> > >

> > > 8. Quotation marks:

> > > Users of American English should use double quotes ( " " ).

Users

> > of

> > > British English should choose either single quotes (' ') or

double

> > > quotes

> > > and stick with them for the whole document. Incidentally,

British

> > > English usage is increasingly moving towards single quotes.

> > >

> > > 9. Spaces: Modern style is to use a single space at the end

of

> > a

> > > sentence, not two. Also, most punctuation marks (e.g. commas,

full

> > > stops,

> > > question marks) are not preceded by a space.

> > >

> > > 10.Tables: Set table text one or two points smaller than

the

> > main

> > > body text and in a sans-serif font such as Arial or Verdana.

Avoid

> > > vertical lines as they tend to add unnecessary clutter.

> > > Armed with these simple guidelines, your business writing

should

> > be

> > > well received every time. Good luck!

> > > =============================================================

> > > I am posting it here because I think that it may help many,

like

> > it

> > > helped me.

> > > Love,

> > > Sreenadh

> > >

> > > , " Sreenadh "

> > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Dear RK ji,

> > > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > > > exclamation.

> > > > I am not that good in English, and is just learning to

express

> > my

> > > > thought in it. :) Child's mistakes - since I am still

seeking

> > for

> > > my

> > > > true style of words. :) I am suffering of poor vocabulary,

> > > indigested

> > > > words, and mal nutrition as far as English is concerned. ;)

> > > > May be you too can guide me in this regard. :)

> > > > Love,

> > > > Sreenadh

> > > >

> > > > , " arkaydash "

> > > > <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > My dear Shreenadhji,

> > > > > As I size you up from feet upward I see this.

> > > > >

> > > > > " Trying to transilate them is a herculian task - and who

is

> > going

> > > > to

> > > > > publish them? They are already born children - and in mean

> > time

> > > > more

> > > > > children take birth as well! What should I do??!!!!! "

> > > > >

> > > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of

> > > > > exclamation. Well, your true-borns can be

rendered 'dwija'.

> > Four

> > > > are

> > > > > quite many though. By and by we can make it.

> > > > >

> > > > > RK

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > , sree nadh

> > > > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Dear RK ji,

> > > > > > I have only the samples collected from every where,

and

> > note

> > > > > many of those horas. :)

> > > > > > Yes, for sure we can share those samples. :)

> > > > > > I will start a try in some of the coming mails. :)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > P.S.: I am trying to make things systematic. That is -

> > > > > > First on schools - Then we would have an idea about

the

> > > depths

> > > > > we are looking to.

> > > > > > Then about the methods (of interpretation) - Let us

make

> > them

> > > > > systematic too.

> > > > > > Yes, some where in between, the point put forward by

you

> > is

> > > > also

> > > > > very important - so I will give it prime importance too.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ==>

> > > > > > These then are some of the articles you have

published.

> > Share

> > > > > with

> > > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work.

> > > > > > <==

> > > > > > No! These are articles now written for this forum

alone -

> > > They

> > > > > are now published articles. Most of my published works

(not

> > much -

> > >

> > > > > only 4 books) are in malayalam - and would be no use to

you.

> > > Trying

> > > > > to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going

to

> > > > publish

> > > > > them? They are already born children - and in mean time

more

> > > > > children take birth as well ! What should I do??!!!!! ;)

> > > > > > Love,

> > > > > > Sreenadh

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > arkaydash <arkaydash@> wrote:

> > > > > > Dear S-ji

> > > > > >

> > > > > > These then are some of the articles you have published.

> > Share

> > > > with

> > > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work. Pls move on

to

> > more

> > > > > > ready-to-use material.

> > > > > > I have a suggestion (more a request actually). Could you

pls

> > > take

> > > > > > the pains of sampling here portions the precious Horas

you

> > > have,

> > > > > > maybe step by step or at random depending on areas

wanting

> > in

> > > > > > consensus.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > RK

> > > > > >

> > > > > > --- In

, " Sreenadh "

> > > > > > <sreesog@> wrote:

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > > > Given below is an article on Yavana school of

astrology.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > ==============================================================

> > > > > > > Yavana School of Astrology

> > > > > > > ==========================

> > > > > > > There is a controversy about the meaning of the word

> > Yavana.

> > > > > > Modern

> > > > > > > historians almost always erroneously take `Yavana' to

mean

> > > > > > `Greek'.

> > > > > > > Of course Greeks where called Yavana by Indians for a

long

> > > > time,

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > so it is not completely wrong to take `Yavana' to mean

> > > `Greek'

> > > > > if

> > > > > > one

> > > > > > > is talking about the a limited historic period, i.e.

> > Period

> > > > > after

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > invasion of Alexander. But when we look at the

literature,

> > we

> > > > > see

> > > > > > > that the word Yavana is used to indicate Pharsi or

Persian

> > in

> > > > > > several

> > > > > > > instances. The popular definition of this word,

supported

> > by

> > > > > > classics

> > > > > > > is that, any person who is not a native of India and

does

> > > > follow

> > > > > > our

> > > > > > > custom and tradition is called Yavana. So the point to

be

> > > kept

> > > > > in

> > > > > > > mind is that-

> > > > > > > • The `Yavana' has some link outside India

> > > > > > > • Their tradition and system is slightly

different

> > than

> > > > > ours.

> > > > > > > • The heir (sons and daughters) and successors of

a

> > > > > `Yavana'

> > > > > > > (Guru-sishya paramapara) would be termed `Yavana'.

> > > > > > > The 3rd point is often ignored by even the learned. It

> > > > > essentially

> > > > > > > means that at times even people who were and born and

> > lived

> > > in

> > > > > > India,

> > > > > > > and even followed the Indian custom and tradition

where

> > > > > > > termed `Yavana' only because, they were the

descendents of

> > > > > > Yavana.

> > > > > > > Before the arrival of Greeks it was Persian peoples

who

> > were

> > > > > known

> > > > > > by

> > > > > > > the word `Yavana', and even before that? Yes, at that

time

> > it

> > > > > > could

> > > > > > > mean even people from `Afghanistan', `China', or

`Egypt',

> > > i.e.

> > > > > any

> > > > > > > where outside India or their descendants or followers

> > > > (students).

> > > > > > > Yavaneswara

> > > > > > > ----------------

> > > > > > > Someone in ancient past brought some new knowledge of

> > > astrology

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > India. It was even before the period of Parasara (1400

> > BC),

> > > and

> > > > > > this

> > > > > > > great scholar gets mentioned by Parasara, Narada,

Kasyapa

> > and

> > > > > many

> > > > > > > more. He must have been an astonishing store house of

> > > > knowledge,

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > well versed in Sanskrit, even the Rishis considered

him as

> > an

> > > > > > Rishi.

> > > > > > > His great knowledge, made Rishi Garga speak out-

> > > > > > > Mlescha hi yavanasteshu samyak sastramidam stitam

> > > > > > > Rishivattepi pujyante kim puna daiva vad dwija

> > > > > > > Meaning, even though a person outside from, by native

> > place

> > > or

> > > > > > > tradition followed, the knowledge of astrology is well

> > > settled

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > find comfort in `Yavana' (Yavana Kula). Because of

this

> > they

> > > > are

> > > > > > > worshiped like Rishis. Then why not if a person who

took

> > > second

> > > > > > birth

> > > > > > > by devoting himself to knowledge and is learning

astrology?

> > > > > > > We should remember that Garga was the head guru (like

> > > > chancellor

> > > > > > of a

> > > > > > > university) of the Garga kula. Many great learning

centers

> > > like

> > > > > > > Vasishta Kula, Kousika kula, Atri Kula, Mareechi Kula,

> > Angira

> > > > > > Kula,

> > > > > > > Bhrigu Kula, Chyvana Kula, Vyasa Kula etc existed at

that

> > > > > period –

> > > > > >

> > > > > > > and the knowledge preserved was so vast. Garga know

about

> > > this

> > > > > > all,

> > > > > > > and was part of this great tradition. Even then he

felt

> > > > > astonished

> > > > > > by

> > > > > > > the astrological knowledge preserved and propagated by

> > > another

> > > > > > such

> > > > > > > learning center – Yavana Kula. This is wonderful! We

could

> > > see

> > > > > > that

> > > > > > > later acharyas started mentioning the name of

Yavanewara,

> > > > > > including

> > > > > > > him in the list of 18 great gurus of astrology.

Narada,

> > > > Kasyapa,

> > > > > > > Parasara – no body failed to mention his name! How

great

> > an

> > > > > > influence

> > > > > > > he and his school of thought would have been to Indian

> > > > > > astrology?!!

> > > > > > > Yes, this `Yavaneswara' is a great Rishi, vast

treasure

> > house

> > > > of

> > > > > > > knowledge, worshiped Surya, had some connections

outside

> > > India,

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > well-versed in Sanskrit, was the head guru of Yavana

Kula,

> > > and

> > > > > > lived

> > > > > > > before BC 1400. He very much appreciated the

astrological

> > > > > > tradition

> > > > > > > and knowledge of India, adopted many concepts from

India

> > > > streams

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > tried to modify them. This too made the Indian

scholars

> > give

> > > > > > special

> > > > > > > attention towards him. This is the knowledge we have

about

> > > his

> > > > > > > mountainous individuality – he stands tall and unique

even

> > > > among

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > peaks!

> > > > > > > Yavanewara Hora is the text known by his name. His

> > successors

> > > > > > (sishya

> > > > > > > parampara) like Sphujidwaja, Meena raja amply quotes

from

> > > this

> > > > > > text.

> > > > > > > Later day scholars like Mihira too quotes him and

mentions

> > > the

> > > > > > > opinions by him. Yavanswara says that he got this

> > knowledge

> > > of

> > > > > > > astrology from Brahma (Prajapati), which indicates

that he

> > > was

> > > > a

> > > > > > > follower of Indian tradition itself, but with somewhat

> > slight

> > > > > > > difference.

> > > > > > > Some problems surfacing

> > > > > > > -------------------------------

> > > > > > > If even Garga felt astonished by this knowledge stream

how

> > > > > Mihira

> > > > > > can

> > > > > > > not? But due to these mutual appreciation (between

Arsha

> > and

> > > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > > schools of astrology) and scholarly interaction many

> > problems

> > > > > > > surfaced. They are –

> > > > > > > • Ancient Indian Rishi Kulas appreciated the

> > knowledge

> > > of

> > > > > > > Yavana school, but never mixed it with there own

system.

> > > > > > > • Even Garga was not an exception to this even

though

> > he

> > > > > > > himself was somewhat outside the Arsha or Sanatana

stream

> > due

> > > > to

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > fact that he was a follower of Jain philosophy

(originated

> > by

> > > > > > > Rishabha Deva). But we should also remember that at

that

> > > time

> > > > > > Jain

> > > > > > > hadn't become a separate religion, but was part of the

> > Vedic

> > > > > > stream.

> > > > > > > • Just contrary to this, Yavaneswara tried to

lean

> > all

> > > the

> > > > > > > Indian knowledge as well, modified it applying logic,

and

> > > > taught

> > > > > > them

> > > > > > > as well in his guru kula. This is evident from the

example

> > of

> > > > > > Nabhasa

> > > > > > > yogas. Nabhasa Yogas are just mentioned in Arha

(Sanatana)

> > > > Rishi

> > > > > > > horas like Skanda hora, Brihal prajaptyam etc, but

> > > Yavaneswara

> > > > > > took

> > > > > > > this concept and made the number of named Nabhasa

Yogas

> > 1800

> > > by

> > > > > > > applying permutation combination!!!!! The concept of

> > Nabhasa

> > > > > yogas

> > > > > > > were not totally in line with the foundations of

ancient

> > > Indian

> > > > > > > astrology, that is why the Indian Rishis didn't gave

much

> > > > > > importance

> > > > > > > to them. Yavanewara never bothered about it, took this

> > > concept,

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > applied maths to it! The result was 1800 Nabhasa

yogas,

> > out

> > > of

> > > > > > which

> > > > > > > hundreds of them were astronomical impossibilities!!

Here

> > we

> > > > see

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > type of interaction and the reason for respect or

> > disrespect.

> > > > > > > • In the Arsha system of Parasara started mixing

the

> > > > > concepts

> > > > > > > of Yavana, and many of his new concepts as well. Due

to

> > this

> > > he

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > also not considered as a true follower of Arsha

stream,

> > and

> > > was

> > > > > > even

> > > > > > > called Yavana at times, even though he was not Yavana.

> > What

> > > > ever

> > > > > > that

> > > > > > > be, Parasara is also honored among the 18 great gurus

of

> > > > > > Astrology.

> > > > > > > We should remember that, Yavana, Romaka, Poulisa,

Lomasa &

> > > > > > Parasara

> > > > > > > schools may not be part of the true (Arsha/Sanatana)

> > stream

> > > of

> > > > > > > astrology. But there was a lot of give and take, and

they

> > > where

> > > > > > also

> > > > > > > honored among the 18 like the Rishis of Arsha stream –

> > > Brahma,

> > > > > > > Vasishta, Kousika, Atri, Manu, Mareechi, Angira,

Vyasa,

> > > > Sounaka,

> > > > > > > Kasyapa, Chyevava, Garga, Brihaspati etc. We should

> > remember

> > > > the

> > > > > > > other reputed scholars like – Bhrigu (Sukra), Agastya,

> > Suka,

> > > > > Soma,

> > > > > > > Skanda, Daksha, Surya etc as well. May be this

> > classification

> > > > > > itself

> > > > > > > is not that correct, since every Rishi Kula may have

their

> > > > > > uniqueness

> > > > > > > in the system of astrology taught and followed. [We

> > shouldn't

> > > > > > forget

> > > > > > > the fact that different teachers teach even the same

> > subject

> > > > > > > differently, and therefore slight differences are

always a

> > > > > > > possibility]

> > > > > > > • Unlike the ancient Rishis, Mihira also started

> > mixing

> > > > > Arsha

> > > > > > > School of astrology with thoughts and ideas borrowed

from

> > > > Yavana

> > > > > > > School, even though he never introduced hundreds of

new

> > ideas

> > > > > like

> > > > > > > Parasara. Even though Mihira was a great teacher this

has

> > > > became

> > > > > a

> > > > > > > big cause for confusion in later years. Parasara was a

> > Rishi,

> > > > > > Mihira

> > > > > > > a scholar and there is no comparison, but both of them

> > > borrowed

> > > > > > ideas

> > > > > > > from Yavana school and thus the original school and

system

> > > fell

> > > > > > back

> > > > > > > to the back side of memory, and logic and foundations

an

> > > almost

> > > > > > lost

> > > > > > > memory.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > This is the brief history of astrology. A problem

> > originated

> > > > due

> > > > > > to

> > > > > > > the presence of Yavana school of astrology, but for

sure

> > not

> > > > > > caused

> > > > > > > by it, as much as the later great scholars like

Parasara

> > and

> > > > > > Mihira.

> > > > > > > If Parasara and Mihira the great teachers of Indian

> > astrology

> > > > > > deserve

> > > > > > > better blame, then how can we blame Yavana school of

> > > astrology

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > the great Yavaneswara who peaks high among many?! This

> > school

> > > > of

> > > > > > > astrology was successful in preserving its teachings

and

> > > books

> > > > > > while

> > > > > > > the Arsha school failed to do so!! Shouldn't we

appreciate

> > > > them,

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > learn from them? They adopted even the Arsha

> > (astrological)

> > > > > ideas

> > > > > > as

> > > > > > > well and still preserves many and now without their

minor

> > > help

> > > > > we

> > > > > > can

> > > > > > > not go back and retrieve our originals!!! Apart from

this

> > > what

> > > > a

> > > > > > > great system it in itself is!!

> > > > > > > [This essay is becoming too long and so I would just

brief

> > > > about

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > other gurus of this stream and conclude]

> > > > > > > Sphujidhwaja

> > > > > > > ----------------

> > > > > > > He was an Indian king who was well versed in

> > Sanskrit,

> > > > > Vedic

> > > > > > > philosophy and astrology. But he was a follower of

Yavana

> > > > school

> > > > > > of

> > > > > > > astrology and considers Yavaneswara as guru. A great

text

> > > with

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > name Sphujidhwaja Hora is available – and it is very

good

> > in

> > > > > > > understanding the contributions of Yavana school.

> > > > > > > Meenaraja

> > > > > > > -------------

> > > > > > > He too was an Indian king, well versed in

Sanskrit,

> > and

> > > a

> > > > > > > follower of Yavana school of astrology. A great text

with

> > the

> > > > > name

> > > > > > > Meenaraja Hora (Vridha Yavana Hora) is available. It

too

> > is a

> > > > > very

> > > > > > > good text.

> > > > > > > Maya

> > > > > > > ------

> > > > > > > Many are confused about whether to call Maya

> > `Yavana'

> > > or

> > > > > > not.

> > > > > > > He is not the student of `Yavaneswara' but `Surya'. As

we

> > > know

> > > > > > `Surya

> > > > > > > Kula' was another great teaching center for astrology.

> > Maya

> > > > > > > modified/wrote `Surya Sidhanta', which later became

the

> > > > backbone

> > > > > > of

> > > > > > > Arsha school of astrology. So even if Maya is

`Yavana', he

> > is

> > > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > > of a different mould and is not part of the Yavana

school

> > of

> > > > > > > astrology which started from `Yavaneswara'. He was a

great

> > > > > > architect

> > > > > > > as well. Surya Sidhanta, Maya Hora, Maya Matam(Vastu)

etc

> > are

> > > > > some

> > > > > > of

> > > > > > > the texts by him. He was true acharya with

mathematical

> > par

> > > > > > > excellence, and may be only Aryabhata I of later years

> > have

> > > any

> > > > > > > comparison to him. Maya is not part of this school of

> > > astrology

> > > > > > > taught by `Yavaneswara'.

> > > > > > > Manindha

> > > > > > > ------------

> > > > > > > Manindha Hora is the text by him. Mihira

mentions

> > and

> > > > > quotes

> > > > > > > form this text and mention the name of Manindha with

> > respect.

> > > > > > Manidha

> > > > > > > Hora is not available today.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Srutakeerti

> > > > > > > ---------------

> > > > > > > Srutakeerti was a hindu king, but he followed

Yavana

> > > > > stream

> > > > > > > of astrology. Srutakeerti Hora is the text by him.

> > Mihira

> > > > > > mentions

> > > > > > > and quotes form this text and mention the name of

> > > Sruitakeerti

> > > > > > with

> > > > > > > respect. Srutakeerti Hora is not available today.

> > > > > > > Other gurus

> > > > > > > --------------

> > > > > > > There might have been many other gurus in this

> > school

> > > of

> > > > > > > thought but the names of many are not popular may be

due

> > to

> > > the

> > > > > > all

> > > > > > > covering presence of Sphujidhwaja and Meenaraja. Later

> > people

> > > > > > started

> > > > > > > calling Sphujidhwaja by the name `Yavana'and Meenaraja

by

> > the

> > > > > > > name `Vridha Yavana'. Only a few scholars were good

enough

> > to

> > > > > come

> > > > > > > out of this shade. One of them is Haraji.

> > > > > > > Haraji

> > > > > > > -------

> > > > > > > He is the author of Manasagari Jataka padhati.

He

> > is a

> > > > > > > Gujarat Brahmin born of `Sandilya gotra'. But he too

> > followed

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > Yavana system of astrology. Therefore Manasagari

Jataka

> > > > padhati

> > > > > > > should be considered as one of the last text in Yavana

> > school

> > > > of

> > > > > > > astrology.

> > > > > > > The Yavana school of astrology is one of the

well

> > > reputed

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > respects schools of ancient Indian astrology, like the

> > Arsha

> > > > > > school &

> > > > > > > Jain school of ancient Indian astrology. The now

extinct

> > > > > > prediction

> > > > > > > schemes of Vedic school and Tantric school also needs

> > > mention,

> > > > > > from

> > > > > > > which everything seems to have originated. (Call them

> > Vedic

> > > and

> > > > > > Non-

> > > > > > > Vedic or Nigama and Agama origin of everything if you

> > want).

> > > > > > >

> > > ===============================================================

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > In this article I had tried to give a brief idea

about

> > > the

> > > > > > Yavana

> > > > > > > school of astrology and its books and masters, as far

as I

> > > > know.

> > > > > > > History is not always simple – it always hides

something

> > far

> > > > > > beneath

> > > > > > > hiding even the sources for retrieving them. I hope

this

> > > > article

> > > > > > may

> > > > > > > help you in getting a glimpse of the almost forgotten

> > history

> > > > of

> > > > > > > Yavana school of astrology.

> > > > > > > Love,

> > > > > > > Sreenadh

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

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Vinitaji, just read this interesting story......

 

Say What?

 

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

 

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

 

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy.

 

The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

 

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

 

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

 

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

 

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

 

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

 

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.

 

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

 

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

 

If zis mad you smil, pleas pas on to oza pepl.

 

Regards,Pradeep

 

 

-

vinita kumar

Monday, May 22, 2006 8:45 PM

Re: 10 tips for better writing

Dear Pradeepji,I remember somebody had once posted a whole big paragraph consisting of miserably misspelt words -- but because of some key letters in each word one could read the entire para without any difficulty.I was myself quite surprised at this.Similarly, often when our grammar is wrong, the sentence still makes sense.But remove a small comma after Eats....and the entire definition of the Panda changes to "Eats shoots and leaves."In urdu they say that with one "nuktakhuda" becomes "juda". Look at the power of separation of the dot here.(But that belongs to the area of spelling, i suppose).Love,Vinita , "Pradeep" <psd1955 wrote:>> Vinitaji,> Not just punctuation .... even spellings and grammar matter.> Pradeep> > > , "vinita kumar"> <shankar_mamta@> wrote:> >> > Dear All,> > > > There are a lot of funny things about punctuation marks. One story > > which became quite famous a couple of years back with the > > publication of a book by Lynn Truss goes as follows:> > > > A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, and draws > > a gun and fires two shots in the air.> > > > "Why?" asks the waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The > > panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over > > his shoulder.> > > > "I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up."> > > > The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an > > explanation.> > > > "PANDA. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. > > Eats, shoots and leaves."> > > > SO, PUNCTUATION REALLY DOES MATTER, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY OCCASSIONALLY > > A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.> > > > There are many horror stories like this (though no one was hurt in > > this one) which are humorous too!> > > > > > Love,> > Vinita > > > > , "Sreenadh" > > <sreesog@> wrote:> > >> > > Dear RK ji,> > > Thanks for the directions. I found the follwing in one of my > > > collections from the net. I don't remember from where I collected > > it. > > > But my regards to the person who listed them. I think it is time > > that > > > I should give a serious look at it. :) > > > ================================================================> > > 10 tips for better writing> > > --------------------------> > > > > > The following list of tips should help you to avoid some of the > > > most > > > common slip-ups. > > > > > > 1. Capitals: Avoid the temptation to capitalize words in the > > > middle > > > of a sentence Just To Provide Emphasis Like This. If you want to > > be > > > more emphatic consider using bold face, italics, color or larger > > > text. > > > > > > 2. Commas: The most common use of the comma is to join together > > > short sentences to make a single longer sentence. We do this with > > one > > > of > > > the following small joining words: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, or > > > so. > > > For example: > > > We have finished the work, and we are looking forward to the > > > weekend. > > > Notice that the two halves of this sentence could each be > > sentences > > > in > > > their own right. They thus need to be separated with a comma and > > > joining word. In the next example, though, we don't need a comma: > > We > > > have > > > finished the work and are looking forward to the weekend. > > > The halves of that sentence could not stand alone, so no comma > > was > > > used.> > > > > > 3. Ellipsis: The ellipsis is a series of three -- and ONLY > > THREE --> > > > > > full stops used to mark missing words, an uncertain pause, or an > > > abrupt > > > interruption. Avoid the temptation to use six or seven dots -- it > > > looks > > > amateurish. For example, we write: > > > > > > > > > Niles: But Miss Fine's age is only ... > > > Fran: Young! Miss Fine's age is only young! > > > > > > 4. Excessive punctuation:> > > > > > Only one exclamation mark or question mark should be used at a > > > time. > > > Consider the following over-punctuated examples: > > > > > > > > > Buy now!!! > > > Great bargains!!!!!!!!!! Excessive punctuation looks too much like > > > hysteria and detracts from your credibility. Avoid it. > > > 5. Headings: > > > For long works, establish a clear hierarchy of headings. Microsoft > > > Word's heading styles are great for this. (They also allow you to > > > automatically create a table of contents.) > > > 6. Hyphenating prefixes:Most prefixes don't need a hyphen; i.e. > > we > > > write "coexist", not "co-exist". There are exceptions, though. The > > > prefixes "self-" and "ex-" are almost always hyphenated. > > > 7. Numbers:Numbers of ten or less are normally written as words. > > > > > > 8. Quotation marks:> > > Users of American English should use double quotes (). Users > > of > > > British English should choose either single quotes (' ') or double > > > quotes > > > and stick with them for the whole document. Incidentally, British > > > English usage is increasingly moving towards single quotes. > > > > > > 9. Spaces: Modern style is to use a single space at the end of > > a > > > sentence, not two. Also, most punctuation marks (e.g. commas, full > > > stops, > > > question marks) are not preceded by a space. > > > > > > 10.Tables: Set table text one or two points smaller than the > > main > > > body text and in a sans-serif font such as Arial or Verdana. Avoid > > > vertical lines as they tend to add unnecessary clutter. > > > Armed with these simple guidelines, your business writing should > > be > > > well received every time. Good luck! > > > =============================================================> > > I am posting it here because I think that it may help many, like > > it > > > helped me.> > > Love,> > > Sreenadh> > > > > > , "Sreenadh" > > > <sreesog@> wrote:> > > >> > > > Dear RK ji,> > > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of > > > > > exclamation.> > > > I am not that good in English, and is just learning to express > > my > > > > thought in it. :) Child's mistakes - since I am still seeking > > for > > > my > > > > true style of words. :) I am suffering of poor vocabulary, > > > indigested > > > > words, and mal nutrition as far as English is concerned. ;) > > > > May be you too can guide me in this regard. :)> > > > Love,> > > > Sreenadh> > > > > > > > , "arkaydash" > > > > <arkaydash@> wrote:> > > > >> > > > > My dear Shreenadhji,> > > > > As I size you up from feet upward I see this. > > > > > > > > > > "Trying to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is > > going > > > > to > > > > > publish them? They are already born children - and in mean > > time > > > > more > > > > > children take birth as well! What should I do??!!!!!"> > > > > > > > > > Uh, the many notes of interrogation compounded by those of > > > > > exclamation. Well, your true-borns can be rendered 'dwija'. > > Four > > > > are > > > > > quite many though. By and by we can make it. > > > > > > > > > > RK> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , sree nadh > > > > > <sreesog@> wrote:> > > > > >> > > > > > Dear RK ji,> > > > > > I have only the samples collected from every where, and > > note > > > > > many of those horas. :) > > > > > > Yes, for sure we can share those samples. :)> > > > > > I will start a try in some of the coming mails. :)> > > > > > > > > > > > P.S.: I am trying to make things systematic. That is - > > > > > > First on schools - Then we would have an idea about the > > > depths > > > > > we are looking to.> > > > > > Then about the methods (of interpretation) - Let us make > > them > > > > > systematic too.> > > > > > Yes, some where in between, the point put forward by you > > is > > > > also > > > > > very important - so I will give it prime importance too.> > > > > > > > > > > > ==>> > > > > > These then are some of the articles you have published. > > Share > > > > > with > > > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work.> > > > > > <==> > > > > > No! These are articles now written for this forum alone - > > > They > > > > > are now published articles. Most of my published works (not > > much -> > > > > > > > only 4 books) are in malayalam - and would be no use to you. > > > Trying > > > > > to transilate them is a herculian task - and who is going to > > > > publish > > > > > them? They are already born children - and in mean time more > > > > > children take birth as well ! What should I do??!!!!! ;)> > > > > > Love,> > > > > > Sreenadh> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > arkaydash <arkaydash@> wrote:> > > > > > Dear S-ji> > > > > > > > > > > > These then are some of the articles you have published. > > Share > > > > with > > > > > > the forum some of your other publihed work. Pls move on to > > more > > > > > > ready-to-use material. > > > > > > I have a suggestion (more a request actually). Could you pls > > > take > > > > > > the pains of sampling here portions the precious Horas you > > > have, > > > > > > maybe step by step or at random depending on areas wanting > > in > > > > > > consensus.> > > > > > > > > > > > RK> > > > > > > > > > > > , "Sreenadh" > > > > > > <sreesog@> wrote:> > > > > > >> > > > > > > Dear All,> > > > > > > Given below is an article on Yavana school of astrology.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==============================================================> > > > > > > Yavana School of Astrology> > > > > > > ==========================> > > > > > > There is a controversy about the meaning of the word > > Yavana. > > > > > > Modern > > > > > > > historians almost always erroneously take `Yavana' to mean > > > > > > `Greek'. > > > > > > > Of course Greeks where called Yavana by Indians for a long > > > > time, > > > > > > and > > > > > > > so it is not completely wrong to take `Yavana' to mean > > > `Greek' > > > > > if > > > > > > one > > > > > > > is talking about the a limited historic period, i.e. > > Period > > > > > after > > > > > > the > > > > > > > invasion of Alexander. But when we look at the literature, > > we > > > > > see > > > > > > > that the word Yavana is used to indicate Pharsi or Persian > > in > > > > > > several > > > > > > > instances. The popular definition of this word, supported > > by > > > > > > classics > > > > > > > is that, any person who is not a native of India and does > > > > follow > > > > > > our > > > > > > > custom and tradition is called Yavana. So the point to be > > > kept > > > > > in > > > > > > > mind is that-> > > > > > > • The `Yavana' has some link outside India> > > > > > > • Their tradition and system is slightly different > > than > > > > > ours.> > > > > > > • The heir (sons and daughters) and successors of a > > > > > `Yavana' > > > > > > > (Guru-sishya paramapara) would be termed `Yavana'.> > > > > > > The 3rd point is often ignored by even the learned. It > > > > > essentially > > > > > > > means that at times even people who were and born and > > lived > > > in > > > > > > India, > > > > > > > and even followed the Indian custom and tradition where > > > > > > > termed `Yavana' only because, they were the descendents of > > > > > > Yavana. > > > > > > > Before the arrival of Greeks it was Persian peoples who > > were > > > > > known > > > > > > by > > > > > > > the word `Yavana', and even before that? Yes, at that time > > it > > > > > > could > > > > > > > mean even people from `Afghanistan', `China', or `Egypt', > > > i.e. > > > > > any > > > > > > > where outside India or their descendants or followers > > > > (students).> > > > > > > Yavaneswara> > > > > > > ----------------> > > > > > > Someone in ancient past brought some new knowledge of > > > astrology > > > > > to > > > > > > > India. It was even before the period of Parasara (1400 > > BC), > > > and > > > > > > this > > > > > > > great scholar gets mentioned by Parasara, Narada, Kasyapa > > and > > > > > many > > > > > > > more. He must have been an astonishing store house of > > > > knowledge, > > > > > > and > > > > > > > well versed in Sanskrit, even the Rishis considered him as > > an > > > > > > Rishi. > > > > > > > His great knowledge, made Rishi Garga speak out-> > > > > > > Mlescha hi yavanasteshu samyak sastramidam stitam> > > > > > > Rishivattepi pujyante kim puna daiva vad dwija> > > > > > > Meaning, even though a person outside from, by native > > place > > > or > > > > > > > tradition followed, the knowledge of astrology is well > > > settled > > > > > and > > > > > > > find comfort in `Yavana' (Yavana Kula). Because of this > > they > > > > are > > > > > > > worshiped like Rishis. Then why not if a person who took > > > second > > > > > > birth > > > > > > > by devoting himself to knowledge and is learning astrology?> > > > > > > We should remember that Garga was the head guru (like > > > > chancellor > > > > > > of a > > > > > > > university) of the Garga kula. Many great learning centers > > > like > > > > > > > Vasishta Kula, Kousika kula, Atri Kula, Mareechi Kula, > > Angira > > > > > > Kula, > > > > > > > Bhrigu Kula, Chyvana Kula, Vyasa Kula etc existed at that > > > > > period –> > > > > > > > > > > > > and the knowledge preserved was so vast. Garga know about > > > this > > > > > > all, > > > > > > > and was part of this great tradition. Even then he felt > > > > > astonished > > > > > > by > > > > > > > the astrological knowledge preserved and propagated by > > > another > > > > > > such > > > > > > > learning center – Yavana Kula. This is wonderful! We could > > > see > > > > > > that > > > > > > > later acharyas started mentioning the name of Yavanewara, > > > > > > including > > > > > > > him in the list of 18 great gurus of astrology. Narada, > > > > Kasyapa, > > > > > > > Parasara – no body failed to mention his name! How great > > an > > > > > > influence > > > > > > > he and his school of thought would have been to Indian > > > > > > astrology?!! > > > > > > > Yes, this `Yavaneswara' is a great Rishi, vast treasure > > house > > > > of > > > > > > > knowledge, worshiped Surya, had some connections outside > > > India, > > > > > > was > > > > > > > well-versed in Sanskrit, was the head guru of Yavana Kula, > > > and > > > > > > lived > > > > > > > before BC 1400. He very much appreciated the astrological > > > > > > tradition > > > > > > > and knowledge of India, adopted many concepts from India > > > > streams > > > > > > and > > > > > > > tried to modify them. This too made the Indian scholars > > give > > > > > > special > > > > > > > attention towards him. This is the knowledge we have about > > > his > > > > > > > mountainous individuality – he stands tall and unique even > > > > among > > > > > > the > > > > > > > peaks! > > > > > > > Yavanewara Hora is the text known by his name. His > > successors > > > > > > (sishya > > > > > > > parampara) like Sphujidwaja, Meena raja amply quotes from > > > this > > > > > > text. > > > > > > > Later day scholars like Mihira too quotes him and mentions > > > the > > > > > > > opinions by him. Yavanswara says that he got this > > knowledge > > > of > > > > > > > astrology from Brahma (Prajapati), which indicates that he > > > was > > > > a > > > > > > > follower of Indian tradition itself, but with somewhat > > slight > > > > > > > difference.> > > > > > > Some problems surfacing> > > > > > > -------------------------------> > > > > > > If even Garga felt astonished by this knowledge stream how > > > > > Mihira > > > > > > can > > > > > > > not? But due to these mutual appreciation (between Arsha > > and > > > > > > Yavana > > > > > > > schools of astrology) and scholarly interaction many > > problems > > > > > > > surfaced. They are – > > > > > > > • Ancient Indian Rishi Kulas appreciated the > > knowledge > > > of > > > > > > > Yavana school, but never mixed it with there own system.> > > > > > > • Even Garga was not an exception to this even though > > he > > > > > > > himself was somewhat outside the Arsha or Sanatana stream > > due > > > > to > > > > > > the > > > > > > > fact that he was a follower of Jain philosophy (originated > > by > > > > > > > Rishabha Deva). But we should also remember that at that > > > time > > > > > > Jain > > > > > > > hadn't become a separate religion, but was part of the > > Vedic > > > > > > stream.> > > > > > > • Just contrary to this, Yavaneswara tried to lean > > all > > > the > > > > > > > Indian knowledge as well, modified it applying logic, and > > > > taught > > > > > > them > > > > > > > as well in his guru kula. This is evident from the example > > of > > > > > > Nabhasa > > > > > > > yogas. Nabhasa Yogas are just mentioned in Arha (Sanatana) > > > > Rishi > > > > > > > horas like Skanda hora, Brihal prajaptyam etc, but > > > Yavaneswara > > > > > > took > > > > > > > this concept and made the number of named Nabhasa Yogas > > 1800 > > > by > > > > > > > applying permutation combination!!!!! The concept of > > Nabhasa > > > > > yogas > > > > > > > were not totally in line with the foundations of ancient > > > Indian > > > > > > > astrology, that is why the Indian Rishis didn't gave much > > > > > > importance > > > > > > > to them. Yavanewara never bothered about it, took this > > > concept, > > > > > > and > > > > > > > applied maths to it! The result was 1800 Nabhasa yogas, > > out > > > of > > > > > > which > > > > > > > hundreds of them were astronomical impossibilities!! Here > > we > > > > see > > > > > > the > > > > > > > type of interaction and the reason for respect or > > disrespect.> > > > > > > • In the Arsha system of Parasara started mixing the > > > > > concepts > > > > > > > of Yavana, and many of his new concepts as well. Due to > > this > > > he > > > > > > was > > > > > > > also not considered as a true follower of Arsha stream, > > and > > > was > > > > > > even > > > > > > > called Yavana at times, even though he was not Yavana. > > What > > > > ever > > > > > > that > > > > > > > be, Parasara is also honored among the 18 great gurus of > > > > > > Astrology. > > > > > > > We should remember that, Yavana, Romaka, Poulisa, Lomasa & > > > > > > Parasara > > > > > > > schools may not be part of the true (Arsha/Sanatana) > > stream > > > of > > > > > > > astrology. But there was a lot of give and take, and they > > > where > > > > > > also > > > > > > > honored among the 18 like the Rishis of Arsha stream – > > > Brahma, > > > > > > > Vasishta, Kousika, Atri, Manu, Mareechi, Angira, Vyasa, > > > > Sounaka, > > > > > > > Kasyapa, Chyevava, Garga, Brihaspati etc. We should > > remember > > > > the > > > > > > > other reputed scholars like – Bhrigu (Sukra), Agastya, > > Suka, > > > > > Soma, > > > > > > > Skanda, Daksha, Surya etc as well. May be this > > classification > > > > > > itself > > > > > > > is not that correct, since every Rishi Kula may have their > > > > > > uniqueness > > > > > > > in the system of astrology taught and followed. [We > > shouldn't > > > > > > forget > > > > > > > the fact that different teachers teach even the same > > subject > > > > > > > differently, and therefore slight differences are always a > > > > > > > possibility]> > > > > > > • Unlike the ancient Rishis, Mihira also started > > mixing > > > > > Arsha > > > > > > > School of astrology with thoughts and ideas borrowed from > > > > Yavana > > > > > > > School, even though he never introduced hundreds of new > > ideas > > > > > like > > > > > > > Parasara. Even though Mihira was a great teacher this has > > > > became > > > > > a > > > > > > > big cause for confusion in later years. Parasara was a > > Rishi, > > > > > > Mihira > > > > > > > a scholar and there is no comparison, but both of them > > > borrowed > > > > > > ideas > > > > > > > from Yavana school and thus the original school and system > > > fell > > > > > > back > > > > > > > to the back side of memory, and logic and foundations an > > > almost > > > > > > lost > > > > > > > memory.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > This is the brief history of astrology. A problem > > originated > > > > due > > > > > > to > > > > > > > the presence of Yavana school of astrology, but for sure > > not > > > > > > caused > > > > > > > by it, as much as the later great scholars like Parasara > > and > > > > > > Mihira. > > > > > > > If Parasara and Mihira the great teachers of Indian > > astrology > > > > > > deserve > > > > > > > better blame, then how can we blame Yavana school of > > > astrology > > > > > and > > > > > > > the great Yavaneswara who peaks high among many?! This > > school > > > > of > > > > > > > astrology was successful in preserving its teachings and > > > books > > > > > > while > > > > > > > the Arsha school failed to do so!! Shouldn't we appreciate > > > > them, > > > > > > and > > > > > > > learn from them? They adopted even the Arsha > > (astrological) > > > > > ideas > > > > > > as > > > > > > > well and still preserves many and now without their minor > > > help > > > > > we > > > > > > can > > > > > > > not go back and retrieve our originals!!! Apart from this > > > what > > > > a > > > > > > > great system it in itself is!!> > > > > > > [This essay is becoming too long and so I would just brief > > > > about > > > > > > the > > > > > > > other gurus of this stream and conclude]> > > > > > > Sphujidhwaja> > > > > > > ----------------> > > > > > > He was an Indian king who was well versed in > > Sanskrit, > > > > > Vedic > > > > > > > philosophy and astrology. But he was a follower of Yavana > > > > school > > > > > > of > > > > > > > astrology and considers Yavaneswara as guru. A great text > > > with > > > > > the > > > > > > > name Sphujidhwaja Hora is available – and it is very good > > in > > > > > > > understanding the contributions of Yavana school.> > > > > > > Meenaraja> > > > > > > -------------> > > > > > > He too was an Indian king, well versed in Sanskrit, > > and > > > a > > > > > > > follower of Yavana school of astrology. A great text with > > the > > > > > name > > > > > > > Meenaraja Hora (Vridha Yavana Hora) is available. It too > > is a > > > > > very > > > > > > > good text.> > > > > > > Maya> > > > > > > ------> > > > > > > Many are confused about whether to call Maya > > `Yavana' > > > or > > > > > > not. > > > > > > > He is not the student of `Yavaneswara' but `Surya'. As we > > > know > > > > > > `Surya > > > > > > > Kula' was another great teaching center for astrology. > > Maya > > > > > > > modified/wrote `Surya Sidhanta', which later became the > > > > backbone > > > > > > of > > > > > > > Arsha school of astrology. So even if Maya is `Yavana', he > > is > > > > > > Yavana > > > > > > > of a different mould and is not part of the Yavana school > > of > > > > > > > astrology which started from `Yavaneswara'. He was a great > > > > > > architect > > > > > > > as well. Surya Sidhanta, Maya Hora, Maya Matam(Vastu) etc > > are > > > > > some > > > > > > of > > > > > > > the texts by him. He was true acharya with mathematical > > par > > > > > > > excellence, and may be only Aryabhata I of later years > > have > > > any > > > > > > > comparison to him. Maya is not part of this school of > > > astrology > > > > > > > taught by `Yavaneswara'.> > > > > > > Manindha> > > > > > > ------------> > > > > > > Manindha Hora is the text by him. Mihira mentions > > and > > > > > quotes > > > > > > > form this text and mention the name of Manindha with > > respect. > > > > > > Manidha > > > > > > > Hora is not available today.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Srutakeerti> > > > > > > ---------------> > > > > > > Srutakeerti was a hindu king, but he followed Yavana > > > > > stream > > > > > > > of astrology. Srutakeerti Hora is the text by him. > > Mihira > > > > > > mentions > > > > > > > and quotes form this text and mention the name of > > > Sruitakeerti > > > > > > with > > > > > > > respect. Srutakeerti Hora is not available today.> > > > > > > Other gurus> > > > > > > --------------> > > > > > > There might have been many other gurus in this > > school > > > of > > > > > > > thought but the names of many are not popular may be due > > to > > > the > > > > > > all > > > > > > > covering presence of Sphujidhwaja and Meenaraja. Later > > people > > > > > > started > > > > > > > calling Sphujidhwaja by the name `Yavana'and Meenaraja by > > the > > > > > > > name `Vridha Yavana'. Only a few scholars were good enough > > to > > > > > come > > > > > > > out of this shade. One of them is Haraji.> > > > > > > Haraji> > > > > > > -------> > > > > > > He is the author of Manasagari Jataka padhati. He > > is a > > > > > > > Gujarat Brahmin born of `Sandilya gotra'. But he too > > followed > > > > > the > > > > > > > Yavana system of astrology. Therefore Manasagari Jataka > > > > padhati > > > > > > > should be considered as one of the last text in Yavana > > school > > > > of > > > > > > > astrology. > > > > > > > The Yavana school of astrology is one of the well > > > reputed > > > > > > and > > > > > > > respects schools of ancient Indian astrology, like the > > Arsha > > > > > > school & > > > > > > > Jain school of ancient Indian astrology. The now extinct > > > > > > prediction > > > > > > > schemes of Vedic school and Tantric school also needs > > > mention, > > > > > > from > > > > > > > which everything seems to have originated. (Call them > > Vedic > > > and > > > > > > Non-> > > > > > > Vedic or Nigama and Agama origin of everything if you > > want). > > > > > > > > > > ===============================================================> > > > > > > > > > > > > > In this article I had tried to give a brief idea about > > > the > > > > > > Yavana > > > > > > > school of astrology and its books and masters, as far as I > > > > know. > > > > > > > History is not always simple – it always hides something > > far > > > > > > beneath > > > > > > > hiding even the sources for retrieving them. I hope this > > > > article > > > > > > may > > > > > > > help you in getting a glimpse of the almost forgotten > > history > > > > of > > > > > > > Yavana school of astrology.> > > > > > > Love,> > > > > > > Sreenadh> > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

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