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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Water is essential for the growth of crops. Rain water is the first and the foremost source of water supply. But, in many cases it is either insufficient or irregular or not available at the proper time. Rain water has to be supplemented by man-made devices of supplying water. Even in the case of other natural sources of water, such as rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, human effort is required to carry or direct water to the field. Thus, irrigation falls into two clear categories, natural and artificial.<ref name=":1">Bag, A. K. (1997) ''History of Technology in India, Vol. 1, From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D.'' New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. (Pages 417 - 432)</ref>

Water is essential for the growth of crops. Rain water is the first and the foremost source of water supply. But, in many cases it is either insufficient or irregular or not available at the proper time. Rain water has to be supplemented by man-made devices of supplying water. Even in the case of other natural sources of water, such as rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, human effort is required to carry or direct water to the field. Thus, irrigation falls into two clear categories, natural and artificial.<ref name=":1">Gopal, Lallanji (1997) ''History of Technology in India, Vol. 1, From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D.'' New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. (Chapter Agriculture : Pages 417 - 432)</ref>

Rshi Parashara starts his exposition with the discussion of Vrshti or rains because<blockquote>वृष्टिमूला कृषिः सर्वा वृष्टिमूलं च जीवनम् । तस्मादादौ प्रयत्नेन वृष्टिज्ञानं समाचरेत् ॥ (१०.३) (Krsh. Para. 10.3)<ref>Krshi Parashara ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D?wprov=srpw1_0 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>On rain is dependent agriculture it is the life source of all beings. Hence the knowledge of rains has to be first obtained.  

Rshi Parashara starts his exposition with the discussion of Vrshti or rains because<blockquote>वृष्टिमूला कृषिः सर्वा वृष्टिमूलं च जीवनम् । तस्मादादौ प्रयत्नेन वृष्टिज्ञानं समाचरेत् ॥ (१०.३) (Krsh. Para. 10.3)<ref>Krshi Parashara ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D?wprov=srpw1_0 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>On rain is dependent agriculture it is the life source of all beings. Hence the knowledge of rains has to be first obtained.  

The natural phenomenon accompanying rains was carefully observed and analysed. The Puranas describe the formation of clouds and their different  types with their characteristics (Vayu. Pura. 51.28-46<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Purvardha, Adhyaya 51])</ref>; Br. Pu. II 22.23.50). The process of the formation of clouds and of rainfall was described in terms  of an embryo and delivery. The pregnancy of clouds last six months and a half. It begins in margasira according to Brhat Samhita (21.5.6) while according to some others it begins in the first half of Kartika masa.  

The natural phenomenon accompanying rains was carefully observed and analysed. The Puranas describe the formation of clouds and their different  types with their characteristics (Vayu. Pura. 51.28-46<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Purvardha, Adhyaya 51])</ref>; Br. Pu. II 22.23.50). The process of the formation of clouds and of rainfall was described in terms  of an embryo and delivery. The pregnancy of clouds last six months and a half. It begins in margasira according to Brhat Samhita (21.5.6) while according to some others it begins in the first half of Kartika masa.  

The Krsi-Parasara shows how astronomical knowledge was used for forecasting rainfall in the interest of cultivation. One could have a knowledge of rainfall on the basis of the planets which happen to be the lord and minister of the year (shlokas 11-22). It lays down indications for determining the nature of rainfall in various months from Pausa to Sravana on the basis of the planets and natural phenomena (shlokas 30-64). The movement of planets from one zodiac to another is also taken to indicate rainfall and drought (shlokas 71-79). The text mentions certain natural phenomena and the behaviour of human beings, birds, animals etc. as indicating immediate rainfall (shlokas 65-70).<ref name=":1" />

The Krsi-Parasara shows how astronomical knowledge was used for forecasting rainfall in the interest of cultivation. One could have a knowledge of rainfall on the basis of the grahas (ग्रहाः) which happen to be the lord and minister of the year (shlokas 11-22). It lays down indications for determining the nature of rainfall in various months from Pausa to Sravana on the basis of the grahas (ग्रहाः) and natural phenomena (shlokas 30-64). The movement of grahas (ग्रहाः) from one zodiac to another is also taken to indicate rainfall and drought (shlokas 71-79). The text mentions certain natural phenomena and the behaviour of human beings, birds, animals etc. as indicating immediate rainfall (shlokas 65-70).<ref name=":1" />

== Wells and Embankments ==

== Wells and Embankments ==

== References ==

== References ==

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