Vrishti Vijnana in Jyotisha (ज्योतिषशास्त्रे वृष्टिविज्ञानम्)

The meteorological branch of Indian Jyotisha, Vrishti Vijnana, describes various methods for the cognizance of predicting or forecasting rains, short spells or drizzles, heavy rains, rainstorms, hurricanes, and calamities. Food is the source of nourishment for human beings and the production or destruction of the crops harvested, which is the primary food source of humans, is completely dependent on rains. Rain is the primary source of life for all living beings on Earth. Rain is the only source of replenishing the water bodies and water is of utmost significance for the existence of the entire ecosystem of the Earth. Rainfall, floods and drought, etc., can be predicted by astrology. The ancient rishis and maharshi with their astronomical knowledge, experience and powers of clairvoyance and by using small tools and instruments (like bamboo tubes etc.), could predict the weather accurately, years in advance by studying the celestial planets and constellations, though they did not have either developed observatories like today, or scientific instruments that gave the most sophisticated results.  

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Introduction

India is country with primarily an agrarian economy. The monsoon season is considered the most useful among the seasons prevalent here, keeping agriculture in view. Farmers can be more alert about timing their agricultural activities only if they are aware about when monsoons will arrive and when it is not expected. Accurate prediction of the arrival of monsoons is possible only by daily observation of the prevalent seasons. Indian scholars have researched and maintained written records of their experiences of seasonal rain, wind, clouds, and lightning. In astrological texts such as Brihad Samhita, Meghamala, and Brihaddhaivajna Ranjana etc., they are also available in the form of an anthology.

Detailed descriptions of rainfall caused by clouds are available in Ramayana, Mahabharata and in the Puranas especially in Vayupurana, Brahmapurana, Vishnupurana, Matsyapurana and Agnipurana. Among the Samhita texts in astrology, Brhatasamhita, Bhadrabahu Samhita, Narada Samhita, Meghamala, Prachya Bhartiyam, Ritu Vigyanam, Krishiparasara, Kadambini, Arshavarshavayu Vigyanam, Adbhutasagara, Mayurachitram, Brihaddhaivajnaranjan, Vrishtiprabodha, etc., provide specific and detailed description of cloud formation, classification of clouds, and precipitation by clouds.

Definition

मेघाज्जलबिन्दुपतनम् वृष्टिः। (Shabdakalpadrum)

The importance of the knowledge of rains for existence of humans.

The object that impacts and affects all of us is the most important object for all of us.  Rains impacts and affects all of us in such a way that without the availability of water, our survival itself is not possible. With the observation and study of rain system, we are made capable to lead a systematic life- as stated in the Taittiriya Samhita -

अग्निर्वा इतो वृष्टिमुदीरयति मरुतः सृष्टां नायन्ति।(तै०सं० ७/५/२)

वृष्टिमूला कृषिः सर्वा वृष्टिमूलं च जीवनम्। तस्मादादौ प्रयत्नेन वृष्टिज्ञानं समाचरेत् ॥(कृषिपाराशरः अध्यायः-२/वृष्टिखण्ड श्लोक- १)

Sage Parashar describes as follows: - Rain is the root cause for the whole of agriculture and rain is also the essence of life, and therefore, in the beginning, one should put efforts to study and understand the rain-system knowledge.

Traditionally, rains have been studied through the following ways

1.   Vrishtijnana through the study of Proverbs

2.   Through the interplanetary war

3.   By conducting air tests

4.   Drought Yoga

5.   Deluge Yoga

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7.              

The basis of rainfall

There are several methods of forecasting rainfall which we can divide into two categories viz. classical and modern. Classical means the traditional method of acquiring rain knowledge that existed in our country through ancient texts, folk legends, etc., in which rain is predicted by going through the almanacs without the help of any expensive equipment. This is the knowledge acquired by the process of self-discovery used by Indian minds. Modern forecasting is the name given by modern scientists to the method of forecasting rainfall with the help of expensive equipment like artificial satellites, which is possible only by large establishments as it is very expensive to set up. Here an experimental observation is being presented by both methods.

The classical basis of rain knowledge

According to traditional rain science, there are two bases of rain-related knowledge:

1.   The Reasonable test method.

2.   Mathematical theoretical method.

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Reasonable test method

This method provides important information about rain science by periodically observing the following facts for attaining rain knowledge: -

1.   Atmospheric changes - Rainfall can be predicted by simple observational observations of atmospheric changes like change in temperature, air pressure and wind direction, humidity, etc.

2.   Biotic movement - Any change in the environment leads to a change in the behaviour of living organisms. Animals and birds provide us with forecasts of rainfall and weather change, etc., through their behaviour. By observing the changes in the behaviour of biological organisms like animals, birds, insects, moths, plants, fishes, etc., we come to know about the arrival of rains. For example, during the summer season, when there is high humidity in the atmosphere(moisture), the birds begin to dig into the soil, a phenomenon that signals the soon forthcoming arrival of rain.

3.   Chemical Changes - The chemical changes experienced in the atmosphere also give us information about the occurrence of rainfall. Some organic and inorganic chemical compounds mix and diffuse into the atmosphere, giving us knowledge of precipitation. For example, when all four directions are foggy around us, it indicates that there is a possibility of rain soon.

4.   Physical change - The physical change seen around the sun, moon, etc. is virtually due to the atmosphere. For example, when a light yellowish halo around the moon is seen, resembling the colour of a rooster's eye, it is an indication of soon upcoming rains.

5.   Changes in sky- cloud formations, lightning striking, thunderstorms, fog, thunder, rainbows, etc. also indicate soon to arrive rains.

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Mathematical theoretical method

There are many theoretical methods of rain knowledge in the Indian tradition that make predictions of rain possible easily through simple mathematical procedures or almanacs.

Predicting rains by observing the position of stars and planets in the solar system- The celestial positions of the planets and the interconnections of the planets and constellations also form the possibility and basis for rains. When Mercury or Venus are moving in a curved position, there is very less probability of rain and when Saturn and Mars are in Dhanishtha nakshatra, then there is no possibility of rainfall.

Precipitation from studying solar transits - Long-term or near-term precipitation can be predicted by studying the solar solstice and certain days of the solar month.

Precipitation from studying the lunar movements - According to Rohini Nivas theory, when the Sun enters Aries, at that time the constellation that is affixed by moon, the Nakshatra should be calculated up to Rohini constellation. If the count is 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 or 23, Rohini is considered to be residing in the sea, which is indicative of an excess of rainfall.

Precipitation from studying the Nadi Chakras - According to some theories, 28 nakshatras can be divided into 2 nadi chakras, called Binadi chakras. When it is divided into three nadi chakras it is called as Trinadi chakra and when divided into seven parts, it is termed as Sapta nadi chakra. Rainfall is then forecast by observing the positions of the Sun and Moon relative to the constellations.

Predicting the rains from study of the Dashtapa - According to Dashtapa Siddhanta, the knowledge of forthcoming rains is based on the 10 lunar days from Jyeshtha Amavasya to Ashadha Shukla Dashami in the four rainy months of Ashadha, Shravan, Bhadrapada and Ashwin.

Reasonable testing method for predicting the duration of rainfall -

According to the so-called test theory, long-term, medium-term, and short-term rainfall predictions have the following basis:

1. For annual rainfall.

·    Ashadhi yoga

·    Phalguni yoga

·    Swati Yoga

2. For monthly and fortnightly rainfall.

·    Cloud conception theory

·    The theory of aeration

·    The theory of transmission

·    Rohini yoga

·    Swati Yoga

·    Ashadhi yoga

·    Dasatapa theory

·    Monthly season testing theory

3. For daily rainfall.

·    Cloud conception theory

·    The theory of aeration

·    The theory of attraction

·    Rohini yoga

·    Swati Yoga

·    Ashadhi yoga

·    Dasatapa theory

·    SadyoVrishti theory

·    Drought sypmtoms theory

The rainy season duration prediction by mathematical theory

According to this theory, the following elements play an important role in the knowledge of rain after the calculation of the whole year. On this basis, rainfall can be predicted anytime by performing the entire mathematical procedure of any given year. This method is most helpful for long-term forecasting.

1. For annual rainfall -

Samvatsar

Samvatsar Adhikari

Guru Varsha

Vimshopak

Shakaabdasamkhyaa

Aardraapravesha

Meghanaam

Rohiniwas

Jalaadak

2. For monthly rainfall-

Dvinaadi

Trinaadi

Saptanadi

Various rain-related yoga

For daily rainfall

The Planet and the Rain

The sun is the originator of the cycle of seasons. When the Sun enters the Ardra nakshatra (solar calendar), it is formally considered to be the beginning of the rainy season. Indian almanacs make rain predictions every year by studying Ardra-Pravesh-Kundali, etc. Beginning from Ardra constellation counting up to 9 nakshatras is considered to be the rainy season.

Rainfall Status based on Mandalas

There are a total of four mandalas called Indra, Varuna, Vayu and Agni respectively. There are 28 Nakshatras, including Abhijit, quarterly grouped in these Mandals.

Indra Mandala consists of Abhijit, Shravan, Dhanishtha, Rohini, Jyestha, Uttarashadha and Anuradha nakshatras.

The Varuna Mandala contains the constellations Revati, Purvashadha, Ardra, Ashlesha, Mula, Uttarabhadrapada, and Shatabhisha.

The Vayu Mandala consists of Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Punarvasu, Mrigashira and Ashwini.

The Agni Mandala consists of seven constelaations namely Krittika, Pushya, Vishakha, Bharani, Magha, Purvabhadrapada, and Purvaphalguni.

This classification of nakshatras is acceptable to almost all acharyas, but some acharyas have called only the Indra Mandala as Chandra Mandala, but the order of the nakshatras remains the same. [4]

The gestation period of the rain

The composition of the rain is called Garbha Kaal, it has three variations: [5]

1.   Garbha Kaal - The evaporation of water into the celestial sphere by the rays of the Sun is called Garbha Kaal.

2.   Poshan Kaal - The water that evaporates from the Sea by the Sunrays, when gets accumulated in the sky and stays there is called Poshan Kaal.

3.   Prasava Kaal -  Water that falls on the earth in the form of rain is called Prasava Kaal.

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Western and Oriental Meteorology

Modern meteorology, which began about a hundred years ago, has not yet fully established its authenticity in the Indian environment. Because of this, the problem of increasing population, food and living conditions assigned to it, all of these have become unmanageable. The rainfall pattern of modern meteorology is not entirely satisfactory for agricultural use. In state-of-the-art meteorology, weather predictions are made by sophisticated computers that are not entirely beneficial for agriculture. Modern meteorology is not yet fully capable of predicting even the minimal 10/15-day rain forecasts in advance which is required for agricultural planning. Although work is being done in this regard, the results are not yet satisfactory. Modern meteorologists are also seen discussing ancient Indian methods and their application to weather forecasting. For example, Dr Dey and his colleagues, who are well-known meteorologists, have given a detailed discussion on "Constellation-based Rainfall and Weather" in the journal ‘Mausam’ in 2004. Some other scientists are also working in this field on a scientific basis, considering ancient Indian method as their basis of study. Like Vedamurthy, Ketan Kale along with Dr.T.Venugopal and his associates are working on a project called ‘Yajnat Bhavati Parjanyaha’. These people are famous meteorologists. Looking at the ancient ideas and background, S. K. Mishra submitted his thesis on weather predictions based on almanac under the direction of Prof. V. K. Dubey, Chairman - Extension Education, Agricultural Institute and co-direction of Prof. Ramchandra Pandey, Chairman, Department of Astrology, Kashi Hindu University, Varanasi, for graduation at the Agricultural Institute of Kashi Hindu University. They compared the daily weather forecasts of the almanac from 1946 to 1995 with modern data and found that 75% of the Panchang’s predictions were correct. And among the predictions of various Panchangs, it is the predictions of the Druk Siddha Panchang that have been found to be the most accurate, when it comes to them actualizing.

A comparative study of the annual rainfall obtained by the Druk Siddha Panchang with the rainfall data obtained by modern meteorology found that the rainfall result from the Dainik Panchang is 75% correct. [2]

citation

11.        ^ Acharya Bhaskaranand Lohani, Indian Astrology and Meteorology, 2012, Alpha Publications New Road, Delhi (p. 2).

12.        ^ 2.02.1 Durgesh Kumar Shukla, Rain Science in Astrology, 2017, Kashi Hindu University, Bhumika, (p. 13).

13.        ^ Jagjivan Das Gupta, Astrology - Mystery (Volume I), 1985, Motilal Banarsidas Varanasi (p. 74).

14.        ^ Girija Shankar Shastri, Astrological Analysis of Earthquakes, 2007, Ishwar Sharan Degree College, Allahabad University, (pp. 25).

15.        ↑ Pandit Kanwarlal Dwivedi, Vrishti Vigyan Rahasya, Shri Saraswati Prakashan Almer (p. 10).