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The author, guided by her interest in astronomy and astrology brings to light correspondences, at once surprising and significant, between the heavenly bodies and the main characters in Mahabharata. The celebrated battle emerges as the echo of an ongoing combat between celestial and demonic beings through their terrestrial incarnations, and as a projection of sidereal phenomena whose appearance, at a pivotal moment in the course of time, constitutes a threat to the ancient tradition. Astrological symbolism offers a key to an interpretation of the Epic that has never been heretofore explored, one that moreover gives rise to thought during this tormented end of the Era of Pisces, in which we are seemingly obliged to acknowledge, once again, the interdependence of man and his galaxy. Is the confrontation between gods and demons not one which has recurred, without cease, throughout the passage of time? About the Author: PAULE LERNER attended lectures on the Mahabharata at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, and studied western and Indian astrology. Struck by the many similarities between the language of Hindu astronomy and the generic or specific names of the characters in the Mahabharata, she soon embarked upon serious research.REVIEWS: Much ingeniousness and hard work has gone into the preparation of this book and there is no doubt that all students of the Great Epic, particularly those having some knowledge of astronomy and astrology will find it interesting.
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4 Astrological Mahiibhiirata 4 Astrological Mahiibhiirata Contents Foreword Page xv CHAPTER 1 Principles of Astronomy-Precession CHAPTER 2 Symbolism of the Precessional Eras 9 CHAPTER 3 The End of the Era of Aries-Appearance of the Mahiibharata, Attributed to the Sage Vyasa 17 CHAPTER 4 Origin of the Lunar Dynasty of the Bhiiratas-Its Transmission from the Era of Aries to the Era of Pisces, the Dominant Theme of the Epic 25 CHAPTER 5 The Astronomical Representations of Kr�Qa, Arjuna and Bhi�ma 33 CHAPTER 6 Condensation of the Subject of the MBh in the Khiil)�ava Forest Passage of Book I 41 CHAPTER 7 Origin of the Matsya Lineage: Virata and SatyavatiBirth of Vyasa on an Island in the Yamuna 45 CHAPTER 8 Vyasa's Intercession for the Continuation of the Bharata Lineage-Birth of his sons Dhrtara�tra, PiiQQU and Vidura-Role of the Important Character of Bhi�ma 53 CHAPTER 9 Marriage of the Three Bharatas of the First Generation Birth of the Piil)�ava and Kaurava Cousins-Imbalan- ce between Brahmins and K!}atriyas, Illustrated by Drona and Dru ada 61 Contents X CHAPTER 10 General Discussion of the Sources of Discord: Karl).a and Ambii 69 CHAPTER 11 Duryodhana and Bhima-the first Voluntary Exile of the Piil).
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