Laghu Parasari

Laghu Parasari
This is the first primer on Astrology that a student of this science is supposed to
learn if he wants to master the Parasara system of Astrology. PARASARA, the
father of Hindu Astrology, wrote the voluminous treatise 'Parasara Hora Sastra'
wherein he expounded his systems of Astrology. Laghu Parasari contains all the
fundamental principles of Astrology on which the Parasara system is based. The
book is known at least by three different names:
1. Laghu Parasari 2. Uddudayapradipa 3. Jataka Chandrika, and is a very popular
one studied in all parts of India. The importance and greatness of the work can be
judged from the fact that Mantreswara, the author of Phaladeepika, quotes about
ten verses from this book.
Though it serves as a first book it is by no means a simple ordinary book. Mere
translations of the slokas will not be enough to bring but the vast meaning each
sloka contains. This is why it has a large number of commentaries, as well as old,
written by eminent scholars from time to time.
Among these, Chandrika, Bhairavi and Prakasa (by Pt. Vetala Sastri) are well
known and highly instructive. The book contains about 78 slokas in Anushtup
metre and can be roughly divided into five chapters:
1. Nomenclature TOT 2. Combinations for Longevity- arpri^n4. Dashaphala and
5. Miscellaneous . It can be boldly asserted that a careful study of the book will
give great insight into the subject of Astrology and skill in prediction. The slokas
are lucid and enchanting to read. The book is as charming as Moonlight for the
study of Astrology. It is undoubtedly one of the best, briefest and lucid book on
the subject of Astrology and there is no book which can rival this primer.