Physiognomic Omens in the Gārgīyajyotiṣa

07.12.2012 15:15 - 16:45

Kenneth G. Zysk | University of Copenhagen, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies

 

This lecture seeks to present an overview of the physiognomic material from a single chapter, divided into two sections, corresponding to the strīlakṣaṇa, “marks of women,” and the puruṣalakṣaṇa, “marks of men.” The chapter begins with the latter, followed by the former, without a clear separation between the two and occurs rather late in the Jyotiṣa-compilation, called the Gārgīyajyotiṣa, which is not to be confused with the late purāṇic Gargasaṃhitā. The work is found only in manuscripts, so investigation is still at its infancy. Nevertheless, Pingree (based on Mitchiner) claims it to be the earliest extant Jyotiṣa-compilation, dating from around the 1st cent. C.E. He further speculates that it could well contain elements that connect it with similar types of systems of divination and their literature coming from the Greek-speaking world, such as does the Yavanajātaka of Sphujidhvaja. Therefore, this lecture will also pay attention to possible similarities to older and more-western forms of physiognomy found in ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Greece.

Organiser:
ISTB