Hi Ernst,
A recent Vedic Astrology comment on a youtube channel stated that the Sarvatobhadra Chakra is not ancient, but derived from a 16th century text (Manasagari).
This disappoints me as the SBC looked like it would have reflected a time when abhijit was still in use, and Krittika was at the Vernal equinox and Dhanishtha was at the Winter Solstice. And like you observed, it has Jaimini-like aspects as well. You even referred to it as an ancient system yourself one time.
Maybe they were using/testing a tropical Krittika ayanamsha in 16th century India?
Thanks,
S.
It's hard to date astrology techniques. It's not likely that someone in the 16th century all of a sudden developed the technique. Maybe that's simply the earliest date we have found thus far in a written form. What is interesting about it, however, is that while its centered around nakshatras, we are also instructed to add the 12 signs to an inner square of the chakra. This means it dates in that form no earlier than 300bc as Rasis aries - taurus, are just not mentioned in the astronomy books previous to 300BC. The oldest astronomy texts dates from 900-1100 BC and it works out the calendar for muhurtas, etc. without rasis being mentioned once. The Srimad Bhagavatam mentions the 12 Aditays related to the 12 solar months, so we do have a very symbol rich 12 fold tropical based division of the ecliptic from that time, but its not aries, taurus, etc as it is in the Sarvartha Bhadra chakra. Its possible that the signs in this chakra were added at a later date or that the names of an older 12 fold division of the ecliptic was replaced at some point with the names aries, etc. But really, there is no evidence in India of the names Aries, etc really before 300BC and I really think they were brougth into India by Alexander the great, but that does not mean its effective symbology, its great symbology. However, its time we bring back the aditya division and I have been using that more and getting more comfortable with it and so will be ready to teach it before long. I think the sarvartha bhadra chakra is most likely older than the 16th century and that the diagram of putting krittika in the east is very old and has nothing to do with the vernal equinox having been aligned with the krittika stars but simple that krittika is the beginning of the nakshatra circle which makes the last nakshatra, Yama, the lord of death, appropriately placed and Krittika is the Sukra, the vital spark at which life begins. Vimshottari Dasa is also started from krittika nakshatra and i think its a mistake that developed around 00-500AD to start the nakshatras at asvinni.
What is the best source for this 'Sarvartha Bhadra Chakra'? Is there a text for this?
@ernst I've had a difficult time finding consistent history on the SBC, but it does seem to have been compiled and evolved over time, which would make the most sense. Wikipedia lists the Brahma Yamala as a main source, which is very early middle ages, definitely earlier than 16th century. Narapati Jayacharya is also mentioned in some forums as another source.
Though he makes some wild claims (time travel, etc.) the temple shown here is most likely several centuries older than the 16th century text, and it shows a similar style diagram, including a 28-fold, instead of 27, nakshatra system:
I wasn't able to post the link to that youtube video here on the forum, but it is called; "The Key to Ancient Astrology Map discovered in Indian Temple?" (This is what I was referencing in the last paragraph of my above post)
@mitryendra80 This diagram is interesting but the nakshatras seem to line up differently with the rasis than in the SBC, also, the SBC has the signs starting differently as well with taurus in a corner, not in a center. So its not exactly the SBC.
I wonder how and when tarabala developed.