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[Full title: Terrestrial Omens (1) Earthquakes]

Earthquakes have always been regarded as portending serious calamities. Parisista 62 ascribes earthquakes to 80. 80 References to earth-quake as an omen are seen at Ram III.23.16;Vedic Index 23.4,41.13,51.33,65.48,95.43,106.25; VII.9.32, Mahabharata II.102.31; III.156.4; V. 84.5,156.29; Vedic Index 3.11,38,99.21, 112.7; VII.7.34,38,77.4, 88.7,193.17; VIII.31.3; IX.22.22; Matsya Purana 153.164;240.8; Bhagavata Purana I.14.15; III.17.4; Harivamsa II.23.30; Kathasaritsagara XIV.107.90. Cf.Atharvaveda-Parisistas 64.2.6, 6.4; 69.55.

613 the four deities, Agni, Vayu, Apah and Indra, 81 depending upon the effects of a particular earthquake which are seen within a week. It also lays down the course of action to be adopted by the people under different conditions. When, within a week after the earth-quake, the Sun and the Moon appear red, the beasts and birds appear yellow and 82 all the quarters become reddish as at Sun-rise, it should be known that the earth-quake is caused by Agni. If, within a week of the earth-quake, there is a terrible storm that 83 flings about pebbles in all directions, the earth quake should be known to be caused by Vayu. When, within a week after the earth-quake, clouds, appearing like crocodile, 84 porpoise, tortoise or alligator and screening the Sun and the Moon, shower rain all around, the earth-quake is ascribed to Apah. If, within a week after the earth-quake, a great cloud, rumbling deeply, looking glossy like collyrium, assuming the form of a mountain and terryfying all quarters, is seen to shower rain, and if there appears the rainbow together $1. Another Parisista (64) ascribes the earth-quakes to three divinities, namely, Varuna, Agni and Vayu, though Indra is mentioned later (64.2.5). The signs mentioned here in the case of the earthquake ascribed to Varuna are similar to those of the earthquake ascribed to Apah in Parisista 62. Cf. Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 32.7. 82. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 64.2.1-2 adds the falling of meteors accompanied by sound. 83. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 64.2.3-4 adds that the Sun becomes mild and the quarters dim like lamenting women. 84. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 64.1.7-10 adds that the clouds appear like a noose, wave, city, mountain or elephant, and are accompanied by bright lightnings and very cold winds.

614 with lightning and thundering, the earth-quake should be known as belonging to Indra. 85 According to Saunaka, the course of action to be followed in the case of the four kinds of earth-quakes should The earth-quake caused by Agni foretells be as follows: scarcity of food. Hence one should buy corn by giving away all gold, money etc. in the house. There is the danger from fire breaking out in the provinces, cities and villages. There will be fights creating a mire of flesh and blood and there will be rain (Cf. 57.1.4-8). The earth-quake caused by Vayu forebodes a war. Hence fortresses should be well provided with weapons arranged on the ramparts and moats. One should protect oneself and should not travel. There is the danger of fights and the earth will drink the blood of a thousand princes. There will be no rain for a month or twenty days, but, after two months, there will be abund unt supply of water. Wounds and bites do not heal up quickly after the earth-quake of Vayu (cf. 57.2.4-8). The earthquake caused by Apah port end excessive rain. Hence a farmer should sow seeds on mountains, sandy tracts and arid (jangala) places. The seed sown on such lands grows well, while elsewhere it perishes. The flowers, roots and fruits growing in water and the aquatic creatures will prosper and there will be welfare, abundance and health (Cf.57.3.4-6). 85. Varahamihira (Brhatsamhita by Varahamihira 32.8-22) has ascribed the earth-quakes to the four divinities according to the constellations under which they occur. Cf. Atharvaveda-Parisistas 57.

615 The earth-quake caused by Indra presages good rain, welfare, health and great happiness to the people. The subjects will 86 be highly pleased with the joys arising out of sacrifices (cf. 57.4.4-5). It is laid down that in order to avert the evils likely to be produced by earth-quakes, Mahendri or Amrta santi Even in the case of the earth-quake 87 should be performed: ascribed to Indra, one should make offerings of clarified butter in the accompaniment of the mantras relating to Indra, with a view to securing proper results.