The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS) is the foundational classical text of Parashari Jyotish, attributed to the sage Parashara and likely compiled between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. It is not a single coherent manuscript but a collection of rules, many verse-based, transmitted through multiple lineages with varying recensions.
Why this matters: Parashara's system became the standard for natal astrology (horoscopy) across India. KP and Jaimini offer alternatives but do not displace Parashara—they are parallel systems. This track follows Parashara because it remains the most widely taught and practised method.
Core Topics in the BPHS
- Rashi and planetary lordship — which planets own which signs
- Planetary dignity — exaltation, debilitation, own sign, moolatrikona
- Graha drishti (aspects) — asymmetric lines of sight between planets
- Bhava (houses) — significations of the 12 houses
- Karakas — significators (both natural and temporal)
- Shadbala — six sources of planetary strength
- Vargas (divisional charts) — sub-divisions of the rashi chart
- Yogas — special planetary combinations (raja yoga, neecha bhanga, etc.)
- Doshas — afflictions and cancellation rules
- Vimshottari Dasha — the 120-year timing cycle
What This Track Covers
This 25-lesson Parashara track is divided into five modules:
Lessons 1–3: Foundations (sources, frames, lordship)
Lessons 4–6: Planetary Strength & Dignity (exaltation, drishti, friendship)
Lessons 7–9: Houses & Karakas (bhava significations, naisargika karaka)
Lesson 10: Shadbala (six strengths measured)
Lessons 11–13: Vimshottari Dasha (nakshatra origin, arithmetic, interpretation)
Scope and Limitations
The BPHS is exhaustive on some topics (dasha, rashodaya, house lordship) and terse or absent on others. Some rules appear as single verses without commentary. Later scholars (Jataka Bharatiya, Saravali, modern teachers) have elaborated on ambiguities.
Key point: This course teaches classical Parashari method as understood by the majority of modern practitioners. Where schools differ (e.g., whole-sign vs Bhava Chalit house placement), both are explained and the logic behind each is given. You will learn to read both systems.