Prashna (Horary Jyotish)

Prashna (प्रश्न, "question") is a branch of Vedic astrology (Jyotish) that specializes in answering specific questions.

The key treatise. "Prashna Marga" by Harihara (16th century, Kerala), which systematized a methodology that had been developing within the Indian tradition for millennia.

Part of Jyotish. Prashna is one of the six angas (divisions) of Jyotish, yet it possesses an independent methodological foundation.

The Question Chart

The moment the question is voiced. The chart is cast for the moment the astrologer hears the question.

It employs:

• The sidereal zodiac (Lahiri ayanamsha or another)
• 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions)
• The dasha system (planetary periods)

Prashna-Specific Techniques

• Arudha — projection points
• Ashtamangala prashna — the question of eight objects
• Tambola prashna — divination by betel leaves

The Moon as the querent's mind. The Moon plays a central role as a reflection of the querent's state of mind.

Nimitta — a Unique Feature

Omen-signs. The concept of nimitta (निमित्त): omen-signs observed by the astrologer at the moment the question is posed.

What counts as nimitta:

• The direction of the wind
• The behavior of birds
• The first thought upon meeting the client

D1 + D3. All of this is integrated into the interpretation alongside the astrological chart. This adds to symbolic data (D1) an element of subjective perception (D3).

Place in Errarium

The event-oriented branch of Indian tradition. In Errarium, Prashna (#58) represents the event-oriented branch of the Indian astrological tradition.

Analog — Horary. Its closest Western analogue is horary astrology (#56), which uses the same "question chart" principle but with the tropical zodiac and without nakshatras or nimitta.

Part to the whole. Its relationship to Jyotish (#18) is that of a part to the whole: Prashna works with the moment of the question, whereas Jyotish as a whole works with the moment of birth.