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Sanketanidhi, which means The Treasure of Learning, was written in the mid 19th century and the most recent of the acknowledged sashtras. It is a brief but useful classic. It is a work written by Shri Rama Dayalu, the astrologer, for the benefit of Shri Ghasi Ram Sharma, the son of his elder brother, so that he may become proficient in Astrology. It is in 9 “sanketas” or chapters.
SANKETA ONE
1. It is prayed that the exalted union of Sri (Lakshmi) and Sripati (Vishnu) which is brightened by love for the purpose of great prosperity of the universe may bestow unlimited good the people who are attached to the ancient tradition.
2. Shri Rama Dayalu has written this work for the benefit of his brothers son and to enable him to learn and be proficient in the various facets of astrology, namely Prasna, Jama, Varshaphal, Adhana, and for good of the world. The treatise is based on principles and ideas propounded by the learned men in the past.
3. One who knows astrology should carefully work out his calculations according to the principles laid down by Aryabhatt to arrive at the exact number of ghatikas elapsed since last sunrise at any given time, the total period of any required day should be substracted from the maximum length of the day in the year. The figure so arrived at be multiplied by 7 and the product divided by 5. the quotient will be the length of the shadow (cast by a 12 inch stick) at mid day of the locality.
4. On the given day the length of the shadow indicated by the 12 inches stick is known as Ishtema. Ten may be added to it and then from the figure so arrived at, we may subtract the total length of the shadow at noon on the day. The remainder will be the divisor required. The figure to be divided by this divisor will be arrived at by multiplying the length of the required day by 5. After such a division the quotient will represent the number of Ghaties that have elapsed since last sunrise or to elapse for the next sun set.
5. Take the difference between the maximum duration of the day for the locality and the length of the day in question and subtract from this 1/16th part. 1/8th of the figure arrived at may then be subtracted from 1. To the result may be added 1/12th of the length of the shadow at the given time. This will be the divisor. Then we may divide half the length of particular day by this divisor. The quotient will indicate the number of ghaties that have elapsed since last sun-rise or to elapse till the next sunset as the case may be.
6.The time between one sunrise and the next sunrise (which is supposed to be near about 60 ghaties) consists of 21,600 breaths or pranas. One ghati is made of 360 breaths. The time taken to pronounce ten long syllables is one prana, and six pranas make one vinadee or vighati. Sixty vighaties or palas make one ghati
7. To enable us to know the exact number of ghaties etc., that have elapsed at any required time at night, the following method should be followed: 1) Count the star that is seventh from the star occupied by Sun; 2) Count the star that is rising in the East, and 3) Count the star that is exactly over your head. Then subtract 1 from (1), 15 from (2) and 8 from (3). Then we may multiply the three figures arrived at in the manner indicated above, separately by the number of ghaties representing one half of the duration of the given night and divide the results by 7. The number so becoming available in each case will be the same in each case and will be the ghaties etc. required.
8. There is another method of ascertaining the same information as mentioned in the previous sloka. From the longitude (Rasi, degrees, minutes etc.) of the star just over your head, subtract the longitude of the Sun. The result should be converted into degrees. If that exceeds 90, subtract 90. The remainder may then be divided by 6. The method of calculating this, is also given in the authors work named Khet Prakash.
9. If we calculate the exact number of degrees still to lapse in the Ascendant (Lagna) and also the degrees of the Moon in the Rasi occupied by the Moon and add 240 to the sum of these two. we will get the number of days falling between Adhana and Janma.
10. If the longitude of the Moon (chandra spast) at Adhana be the same as of the Lagna at birth, or if the longitude of the Moon at birth be the same as the longitude of Adhana Lagna, we may accept the time of birth as correct. If there is any difference the exact time of birth could be rectified by suitable adjustments by the rule of three method in the intervening days.
11. The author gives another method for rectifying the time of birth. If there are planets on both sides (2nd and 12th) of a Bhava be it a Kendra, Panaphara or Apoklima, we may calculate the difference between the longitude of these two planets and (a) subtract half of the difference from the longitude of the planet in the second Bhava, and (b) add the difference to the longitude of the planet in the twelfth Bhava. By doing so the longitudes of the planets in the 2nd and the 12th Bhava will become identical.
12. When the longitudes of the two Bhavas mentioned in sloka 11 be equal, the time of birth should be located there alone. If there is diference in the longitudes (Bhava spast) suitable alterations may be made by the rule of three process to fix the correct time of birth.
13. Another method to correct the Ishtkala at birth is as under Note the Parva Tithi i.e. Amavasya or Poornamasi just previous to the birth and work out the Lagna, Amsa etc. at the end of the Parva Tithi. Then we should make note of the following planets: 1) Lord of Lagna at birth, 2) Lord of Lagna at the end of Parva Tithi, 3) The planet presiding over that part of the day or night, 4) The lord of the Hora or hour at which the Parva Tithi ended, and 5) Lord of the Rasi occupied by a) The Sun at a day birth or b) The Moon at a night birth. Leaving off the Rasis occupied by the strongest of these five, if the Ansa I rim) of the strongest planet be the same as that of the Lagna Navamsa, or with that of the 10th, that will be the correct time required.
