Raghava Bhatta's Jataka Sara Sangraha

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Jaimini system is a highly practical method which helps its practitioners to reach quick conclusions regarding the forthcoming events in the life of a native and their timing. The rules are simple and straight forward and the Dasa durations can be calculated easily in mind.

Jataka Sara Sangraha is a unique work in this branch of Jyotisha where the author ingeniously presents his material in a logical fashion drawing from the Jaimini Sutras and Vruddha Karikas. For the first time in the literature of Jaimini astrology the author explains the application of all the Ayurdasas by giving a single example Horoscope. This is one of the rare works where numerous Ayurdasas and Phalita Dasas are explained in detail.

The treatise is divided into three Parichchedas or chapters. The first chapter deals with the methods of longevity determination of a native and explains the Ayurdasas which help to predict the time of death of the native and his relatives like parents, siblings, spouse and so on. The second chapter deals with different Phalita Dasas which help to time various events in a native's life. The final and third chapter explains many Yogas.

Jataka Sara Sangraha is a must for anyone who wants to grasp the nuances of the Jaimini System and gain mastery over the subject.

Jaimini system is a unique branch of Jyotisha which is based on the Aphorisms or Sutras propounded by the Rishi Jaimini. Though some believe that it is simply an extension of the conventional Parashari method, scholars who have done deep study of the available commentaries and expositions would like to consider it as a distinct method of prognostication. Among the many works related to this system, including the commentaries on Jaimini Sutras and other independent works, the following are available to us in the form of published books and manuscripts: (1) Neelakantha's Subodhini (ii) Jyotih Pradeepika of Lakshmana Suri (iii) Sutrartha Prakashika of Akumulla Nrusimha Suri Jyotishananda of Parameshwara Yogindra (v) Jataka Sara Sangraha of Gottimukkala Raghavabhatta (vi) Jyotisha Kalpalata of Somanatha (vii) Jyotisha Phalaratnamala of Krishna Mishra (viii) Khetamkara Nrusimha Daivagna's commentary (ix) Balakrishnananda Sarasvati's commentary (x) Venkatesa's commentary (xi) Guru Vrutti (xii) Jaimini Padyamrutam, and (xiii) Jaimini Sutramrutam. Besides the above, the following works also incorporate the Jaimini System: (i) Vanchinatheeyam (ii) Jatakarajam/ Jatakarajeeyam (iii) Jataka Deepam (iv) Jataka Jeevanam (v) Gautama Samhita.

Among all the works, Neelakantha's Subodhini commentary on Jaimini Sutras is the most popular. However, to me, the sequence of the treatises as per the increasing order of depth and sweep of the subject is: Neelakantha's Subodhini, Sutrartha Prakashika, Jataka Sara Sangraha, Kalpalata and Phalaratnamala. Neelakantha's Subodhini can only be treated as an entry-level text when compared with the depth and span of the other texts. It seems many of the present day scholars, mostly in the northern part of India, have based their understanding mainly on the Neelakantha's commentary.

Jataka Sara Sangraha is an independent work written based on the principles propounded in the Jaimini Sutras and Vruddha Karikas. Besides making many concepts clear, one of the significant aspects of the work is that the author demonstrates the application of the Ayurdasas on a practical horoscope. This work is said to be published with Telugu text by Sri Nori Gurulinga Sastry in the year 1900 AD. However, this is not available now. In recent times, the work has not been published so far in any language except as a partial publication of the 1 Parichcheda (Chapter) by Sri Medavarapu Sampath Kumar and as an exposition of a few Dasas in the Brihat Parashara Hora Sastram 4th volume by Sri Madhura Krishna Murthy Sastry, both in Telugu language.