Kashmir’s town of Astrology

By B. Revti

The origin of Kashmiri Panchang, variously called as “ Jantari’’ or “Neshpatra’’ dates back to antiquity.   Not only was Kashmir an important centre of spiritual learning but related schools of thought also found a fertile ground to grow.

One such related school of thought that took birth in Kashmir delivered its world class tradition of astrology.

Though Indians have had no love for historiography, the Bhrigu Samhita, the ultimate reference book of the discipline is the testimony to the tradition of predictive astrology being followed in India and incidentally Kashmir, which produced its first historian Kalhana, also makes mentions of   a brilliant tradition of astrology prevalent in Kashmir.

Al-Biruni’s  Accounts

Even as there are other very important historical documents which testify to the continuity of this important tradition in Kashmir, the most important historic account by a foreigner Al-Biruni in his  book “Kitab-ul-Hind” raises this to  such an exalted level pertaining to Kashmir  that we cannot remain without mentioning some of the observations made  by this great historian:-

“ I studied the Jantari of Shaka-la (modern Sialkot) pertaining to the year 951 AD. It has come from Kashmir. This Jantari says that Sapt Rishis are staying since many years in Anirudha Moon House which exists in three and one- third degree in the constellation and extends up to 16 and two- third degrees. Saptrishis are still one full `burj’ and 20 degrees forward……. This creates a sense of wonder and no doubt anybody who does not live among Hindus of Kashmir, cannot fathom the concepts and everything they have churned out.’’

This statement of Al- Biruni testifies   to the fact that how much learned he himself was about the intricacies of astrology—a school of thought which reached its zenith in Kashmir where Jantris were compiled, formulated and despatched across lands. Kashmiri Panchangs were considered to be the most trustworthy astrological treatises.

Kashmir Panchang’s Gandhaar Connection

Noted Kashmiri scholar and historian, Moti Lal Saqi in his famous book “Aager Neb’’ mentions that `Jantari’’ as a unique product came out of Kashmir only and it is very difficult to accord a date to its origin. Saqi further while referring to Rajtarangni, mentions that it was King Meghwahana who brought and settled Brahmins from Gandhaar and elsewhere  in Kashmir’s Bijbehara town around 5^th Century AD. It is possible that many astrologers accompanied these Brahmins where they institutionalized this important feature of Kashmir and thus Kashmiri Jantari continues to be named as “Vijeshwar Panchang’’ linked to Bijbehara town. Other notable names in this regard are of Swami Aftab Kak and Shri Kanth Jyotshi, besides others.

Kashmir’s Bijbehara continues to lay its claim on the World famous Panchangs—the Kashmiri Jantaris— although they are presently published from Jammu and elsewhere.  Pt Prem Nath Shastri, the great learned Pandit and social reformer did a yeoman’s service to make it available to all and sundry when he pioneered to get it printed for distribution on a large scale some decades back.

Non-Hindus of Kashmir as well as India and the World, also make a bee line for obtaining a copy of this almanac of dates and occasions, both auspicious and otherwise, for round the clock consultations. Sh Omkar Nath Shastri, who is  presently the publisher of Vijeshwar Panchang is on record to convey that the year 2024-25 will be 341^st issue of the famed Panchang in continuity .