Varaha Mihira’s (Brihat Jataka) [MLBD]

Varaha Mihira’s (Brihat Jataka)

In presenting the English translation of Brihat Jataka, to the educated public of the world, I make no appeal for their indulgence. This is a monumental work, where the difficulties in translating a beautiful, technical and suggestive work in Sanskrit had to be surmounted by hard labour, profound research, want of adequate expressions in a poor and non-constructive language like the English by the selection of the most comprehensive expressions and by laborious mental analysis, which would have a tendency to minimize the linguistic incongruities so difficult to reconcile. How far I have succeeded in my attempts to simplify the technicalities by my notes is a matter for decision by the succeeding generations.

In my introduction to the English translation of Sarvartha Chintamani I have plainly referred to these difficulties and doubts and would refer the readers to that work for greater explanations. The priceless commentaries of Bhattotpala in Sanskrit on Bri hat Jataka have been fully utilised by me in the course of my work and if I am to express my sense of gratitude to anybody I have to do so to him. Most of the English works on astrology are sorry performances and no reliance can be placed upon them.

If Varaha Mihira is to be respected as the author of Brihat Jataka, his matchless commentator deserves even greater credit for the splendid way in which he has not only made clear many of the obscure passages but also for the valuable quotations he has given so copiously and so aptly in the course of his work. Envy and meanness are the index of lower minds and appreciation and generosity are the indications of a nobler psychic development. I shall close this preface with a simple request to my readers that when they read through my notes they can never complain of wasting their time. Their intellects will be sharpened and their knowledge will be expanded.