124 - The essence of astrology as described in the science of victory in battles

 Agni said: 

1. Ishall describe the essence of astrology as propounded in the (science) of victory in battles, without the employment of mantra and herbs and as narrated by Iśhvara (Lord Siva) to Uma. 

The Goddess said: 

2. Explain to me the strategy by which the demons were conquered by celestials. So also (explain to me) the knowledge relating to success in battles which give discrimination about good and bad.

The Lord said: 

3. Energy comprising fifteen letters was born by the desire of the chief god. The movable and immovable were born then. One finds one's desire fulfilled by the worship (of the energy). 

4. Ishall explain the base of the mantra which is produced from five mantras. Those mantras remain in all the mantras in their beginning and end. 

5-6. They are the mantras of Rk, Yajus, Sāman, and Atharva vedas in order. The mantras of lords Brahmā, Vishnu, Rudra, Isa (shiva), Indra and others who are (known as) Saptasikha devas are these five mantras. ‘a, i, u, e, o' (are) the parts. The fundamental (mantra) is stated to be Brahma. 

7. Just as the fire in the wood which has not developed fully is not seen, the energy of lord Siva remaining in the body is not seen. 

8. The energy adorned with the syllable of 'Om' is first born. O Great lady! the bindu (dot) (was) then (born) together with the letter 'e'. 

9. The letter 'u' which is the soul of the sound was born then. It produces the sound remaining in the heart. Then the letter 'i' of theshape of a crescent, which gives knowledge about the path of release, (was born). 

10. The letter 'a' which is the supreme one giving enjoyment and emancipation, was born manifest. The letter 'a' is under the power of control of the lord. It is remembered as the part of cessation of activity. 

11-12. The fragrance, the mystical letter 'na', präņa (life breath), idā (a tubular vessel in the body) and the energy known as fixed rest in this. The letter 'i' is known as the stable part. The essence, the apāna (one of the five life-winds) in the body), pingalā (a tubular vessel in the body), the energy (known as) krurā and the mystical letter 'i' remain united inside. The letter 'u' is the knowledge part. The form which is the characteristic of fire, the mystic letter 'ra', the samāna (one of the five life winds in the body), the gåndhāri (one of the tubular verse in the body), and the energy damani (rest therein). 

13. The letter 'e' is the tranquil part. The sense of touch which is the characteristic of the wind, the udāna (one of the five life-winds in the body), the calā (one of the tubular organs of the body) and the energy (called) kriyā (rest therein). The syllable 'om' is that beyond the tranquil part. The sound which is the characteristic of the sky and the vyāna (one of the five life winds in the body) (rest therein). 

14. The (above-mentioned) are the five kinds of letters. The (planets) Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn respectively (preside over) the letters 'a' etc. The letters 'ka' and others are placed below these. 

15. Everything relating to the movable and immovable (objects of the world) is known through these. Ishall describe the knowledge-base. The pranava (syllable ‘om') is stated to be (lord) Śhiva. 

16. (When we say) Umā, it denotes (lord)shiva along with (his consort) Umā. Umā is the energy (ofshiva) This energy remains (in three forms) as Vämä, Jyeshthả and Raudri. (It remains in the three forms of) Brahma, Vishņu and Rudra duly. Creation etc. are the three qualities (associated with them). 

17-18. Three nädis (tubular vessels in the body) which are gem-like (are also present). (The pranava) is moreover gross and subtle (which are respectively) highest and lowest. Oneshould contemplate (on) that (pranava)day and night as white coloured, asshowering the excellent ambrosia and flooding the soul. O Goddess! One would become unaging and attains the qualities of lordshiva. 

19. The limbs (of the body) (are assigned) in (the fingers) beginning with the thumb and the eye at the centre. Then oneshould worship (lord) Mrutyunjaya (Śhiva, conqueror of earth) and become victorious in the battles. 

20. The sound is void and without any support. The sparsa (consonants ka to ma)should be touched bending horizontally. The form is stated to be having upward motion and rests under the water. 

21. The fragrance remains detached from all places. The principal part is at the centre. The bulbous root, which is of the form of (lord)shiva remains at the base of the navel. 

22. The formation with energy houses the moon, sun and (lord) Hari (Vishņu). It is endowed with the ten winds and the five primary elements. 

23. (That bulbous root) which is the soul of lordshiva is of theshape of the destructive fire that isshining. That is the life of the entire world of living beings of the immovables and movables. When that one having the fire as its soul is lost, I consider that it is dead.