Brihad Yavana Jataka An Introduction [AP]

Author of book Shri. K. K. Pathak is quite a well-known figure in the astrological circle since last more than forty years. He has secured a record achievement of getting published his articles in more than four hundred issues of leading astrological journals namely. The Astrological Magazines, The Time of Astrology, Babaji and Express Star-teller. Pathak jee has authored more than thiry book after attaining the age of 65 years. Alpha Publication of Delhi has taken the responsibility of publishing his books.

Pathak jee was conferred upon the honour of JYOTISH BHANU in year 1998 by Indian Council of Astrological Sciences in recognition of his services for the cause of Astrology. He was further conferred “SANTHANAM AWARD” in the year 1999 for his distingui-shed works. Pathak jee is held to be an expert in Remedial Astrology. Astro-Metreology, Vedics Pauranic Astrology. classical works and Dasha system. Pathak jee belongs to Bihar. He was in Administrative Service for 33 years and retired as Special Secretary to the Govt. of Bihar in October 1993.We wish him a long life.

Preface

There is no unanimity of opinion amongst scholars about the origin of Yavanas. Some scholars referred to them as Greeks while some others referred them to Iranians, Iraquis and ancient Sumerian or Messopotamians. Yet some others referred them to Sakas, Hunas, Mongols and other barbarian tribes invading India in ancient days. Some scholars referred to them as the members of a sect who were worshippers of Yoni (female organ) and who were condemned by Vedic sages. As these people were worshippers of Yonis they were called Yavanas.

An American scholar Paul Manansala in one of his research papers published in The Times of Astrology made out a strong case in of the fact that Yavanas were none other than the inhabitants of Pauranic Yava Dweepa who migrated to India by seas. Pauranic Yava Dweepa was nothing but the area covered by present Java-Sumatra-Borneo-Phillipines and other islets in the Pacific Ocean described as Ksheera Sagara in the Puranas. According to Paul Manansala, people of ancient Yava Dweepa were worshippers of Sun. They were adept in astrology and in the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. Most probably, inhabitants of these Pacific Islands who suffered from volcanic eruptions, earth quakes and natural calamities on large scale too frequently migrated from East to India through sea-route. As these immigrants came from Yava Dweepa, they were known as Yavanas.

References of Yavanas and Sakas in the Ramayana and the Mahabharat go a long way to prove that people from far East islands came and settled in Coastal and other areas of India thousands of years prior to the advent of Greeks. Later on, all outsiders including Greeks, Bacterians, Mongols, Sakas, Hunas, Arabs, Iranians, Turks etc. were also known as Yavanas.

Whatever may be their source of migration, these Yavanas were Indianised. They influenced Indian culture in many ways particularly in Astrology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Botany and Medical Science. In Astrology three very authenticated works of Yavanas are available. One is a small book known as Yavana Jataka whose Sanskrit text only could be made available to me. I have written a Hindi commentary of this book and the same finds a place in my Hindi book Saptom Jatakam published by Alpha Publications.

Second important book is Vridha Yavan Jataka of Meena Raja which is held at par with Garga Hora Sastra by Bala Bhadra Mishra, author of Hora Shastra. Main part of Vridha Yavana Jatak is published with its English and Hindi commentary separately by Alpha Publication.

Another part of Vridha Yavan Jataka known as utility of Shada Varga in English and Dashadhyayi in Hindi is also published by Alpha Publication. By making a comparative study I have made these two books more educative.