Yavanajataka

The Yavanajātaka (Sanskrit: yavana 'Greek' + jātaka 'nativity' = 'nativity according to the Greeks'), written by Sphujidhvaja, is an ancient text in Indian astrology.

According to David Pingree, it is a later versification of an earlier translation into Sanskrit of a Greek text, thought to have been written around 120 CE in Alexandria,[1] on horoscopy. Based on Pingree's interpretation and emendations, the original translation, made in 149–150 CE by "Yavanesvara" ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of the Western Kshatrapa king Rudrakarman I, is lost; only a substantial portion of the versification 120 years later by Sphujidhvaja under Rudrasena II has survived.[2] However, according to the recent research by Mak based on a newly discovered manuscript and other documents, Pingree's date interpretation as well as a number of crucial readings such as zero and other bhūtasaṃkhyā were based on his own emendation, not supported by what was written on the manuscripts. Furthermore, traditionally Yavanesvara and Sphujidhvaja were understood as referring to the same person, the former being an epithet to the latter, according to authors such as Bhaskara and Utpala. The date of the Yavanajātaka according to Mak is now revised to between 4th and 6th century CE.[3]

Yavanajataka is one of the earliest known Sanskrit works referencing Greek horoscopy.[4] It was followed by other works of Greek origin which greatly influenced Indian astrology: the Paulisa Siddhanta ("Doctrine of Paul") and the Romaka Siddhanta ("Doctrine of the Romans"). However, some Indian authors claim the earliest known Sanskrit work on horoscopy is Vedanga Jyotisha[5] [6]

It was translated by David Pingree into English, which was published as volume 48 of the Harvard Oriental Series in 1978.[7][8]

  1. ^ Source
  2. ^ Pingree (1981) p.81
  3. ^ Mak (2013a, 2013b, 2014)
  4. ^ Mc Evilley "The shape of ancient thought", p385 ("The Yavanajataka is the earliest surviving Sanskrit text in horoscopy, and constitute the basis of all later Indian developments in horoscopy", himself quoting David Pingree "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja" p5)
  5. ^ N. P. Subramania Iyer (1991). Kalaprakasika. Asian Educational Services. p. 3.
  6. ^ Witzel 2001.
  7. ^ Dhavale, D. G. (1984). "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja by David Pingree". Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. 65 (1/4): 266–267. JSTOR 41693124.
  8. ^ Rocher, Ludo (March 1980). "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja by David Pingree". Isis. 71 (1): 173–174. doi:10.1086/352443. JSTOR 230349.