Jaimini Sutramritam: A Classic in Vedic Astrology (Translation and Commentary in English)

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Is Jaimini Maharshi Pre-Parasara or post - Parasara? It's a matter of controversy. He was the disciple of Vyasa Maharshi the son of the sage, Parasara. Krishnamishra in his Phalaratnamala, wrote that Jaimini by the grace of his preceptor, Vyasa, authored eight Chapters of astrological aphorisms. But Parasara Hora is universally acclaimed as most authentic and unrivalled in Kaliyuga. Hence that this Jaimini was the exponent of a novel and different system of astrology to rival Parasarais disbelieved by the traditionalists. Jaimini in his poorvameemamsa does not mention his authorship of astrology; ner any other Shastra is found alluding to Jaimini astrology. But by the inclusion of some Jaimini principles in Brihat Parasara Hora, a doubt may arise whether Parasara retold Jaimini principles or Jaimini incorporated Parasari in his aphorisms. Since ancient sutra vangmaya is as honoured as Vedas, the authenticity of Jaimini Sutras remains undisputed. They are lost to us save the sutras of Chapters I & II. Most of the sutras in the chapters III & IV appear interpolated and uncorrelated and the socalled one or two Sanskrit commentaries follow suit.

An aphorism or Sutra is a short, unambiguous, quintessential, faultless and alround saying. So we need wide and proper commentaries to understand the sutras. A good commentary is marked by word-separation, word-meaning, sentence construction and reply for prima facie argument. Luckily for chapters 1 & Il of Jaimini Sutras, we have a reputed Sanskrit commentary, written 300 years ago, by ihe erudite Neelakantta.