I prostrate before the lotus-feet of Lord Vighneswara(Lord Ganesha), offspring of Uma, the cause of destruction of sorrow, who is served by Mahabhutas (the five great elements of the universe) etc., who has the face of a tusker and who consumes the essence of Kapittha and Jambu fruits.
Offering his obeisance to all-knowing Maharishi Parasar and with folded hands, Maitreya said: “O venerable Maharishi, Jyotish, the supreme limb of the Vedas, has three divisions, viz. Hora, Ganita and Samhita. Among the said three divisions Hora, or the general part of Jyotish is still more excellent. I desire to know of its glorious aspects from you. Be pleased to tell me, how this Universe is created? How does it end? What is the relationship of the animals, born on this earth, with the heavenly bodies? Please speak elaborately”.
Maharishi Parasar answered. O Brahmin, your query has an auspicious purpose in it for the welfare of the Universe. Praying Lord Brahma and Sri Sarasvati, his power (and consort) and Surya, the leader of the Grahas and the cause of Creation, I shall proceed to narrate to you the science of Jyotish, as heard through Lord Brahma. Only good will follow the teaching of this Vedic Science to the students, who are peacefully disposed, who honour the preceptors (and elders), who speak only truth and are godfearing. Woeful forever, doubtlessly, will it be to impart knowledge of this science to an unwilling student, to a heterodox and to a crafty person.
Sri Vishnu, who is the Lord (of all matters), who has undefiled spirit, who is endowed with the three Gunas, although he transcends the grip of Gunas (Gunatita), who is the Author of this Universe, who is glorious, who is the Cause and who is endowed with valour, has no beginning. He authored the Universe and administers it with a quarter of his power. The other three quarters of Him, filled with nectar, are knowable only to the philosophers (of maturity).
The Principal Evolver, who is both perceptible and imperceptible in Vasudeva. The Imperceptible part of the Lord is endowed with dual powers, while the Perceptible with triple powers. The three powers are Sri Shakti (Mother Lakshmi) with Sattva-Gun, Bhu Shakti (Mother-Earth) with Rajo-Gun and Nil Shakti with Tamo-Gun.
Apart from the three, the fourth kind of Vishnu, influenced by Sri Shakti and Bhoo Shakti, assumes the form of Shankarshan with Tamo-Gun, of Pradyumna with Rajo-Gun and of Anirudh with Sattva-Gun.
Mahatatwa, Ahamkar and Ahamkar Murti and Brahma, are born from Shankarshan, Pradyumna and Anirudh, respectively. All these three forms are endowed with all the three Gunas, with predominance of the Gun due to their origin. Ahamkar is of three classes, i.e. with Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic dispositions. Divine class, sensory organs and the five primordial compounds (space, air, fire, water and earth) are, respectively, from the said three Ahamkaras.
Lord Vishnu, coupled with Sri Shakti, rules over the three worlds. Coupled with Bhoo Shakti, He is Brahma causing the Universe. Coupled with Neel Shakti, He is Shiva, destroying the Universe. The Lord is in all beings and the entire Universe is in Him. All beings contain both Jivatma and Paramatmansas. Some have predominance of the former, while yet some have the latter in predominance. Paramatmans is predominant in the Grahas, viz. Surya etc. and Brahma, Shiva and others. Their powers, or consorts too have predominance of Paramatmans. Others have more of Jivatmans.
