Sanskrit Terminology and Classical Textual References
Sanskrit terminology and classical references tests precise reading of technical terms and accurate attribution of texts. The exam expects you to distinguish senses of a term and to avoid anachronistic claims about authorship.
Terminology
Graha means seizer or planetary significator; rashi means sign; bhava means house; nakshatra means lunar mansion; lagna means ascendant or rising sign; ayanamsa means precession offset; dasha and bhukti mean planetary period and sub-period; yoga means combination; karaka means indicator; drishti means aspect; bala means strength; arudha and upapada are Jaimini-derived reflection points; varga means divisional chart; hora means half-sign or hourly lord; ghati and pala are traditional time units.
Classical texts
BPHS is attributed to Parashara; Brihat Jataka to Varahamihira; Saravali to Kalyanavarma; Phaladeepika to Mantreswara; Jataka Parijata to Vaidyanatha Dikshita; Uttara Kalamrita to Kalidasa; Jaimini Sutras to Jaimini; Muhurta Chintamani to Rama Daivajna; Prasna Marga to Krishnananda. Dates and authorship are often traditional rather than documentary.
Worked example
In a sentence about drishti, Parashari texts usually mean aspect by sign or house, while Jaimini uses rashi drishti with different rules. In a sentence about karaka, the term may mean a general significator or a Jaimini chara karaka such as Atmakaraka. A good answer states which sense is intended before translating.
Traps
- Treating BPHS as a single autograph work with a fixed date.
- Translating karaka only as planet and ignoring chara karaka.
- Confusing hora as a divisional chart with hora as an hourly lord.
- Attributing every classical verse to Parashara.
- Relying on a translation without checking the technical term.