1167. Forewarned so that be Forearmed.....

There was drought and scarce of water had not only affected humans but also the cattle. The Pre-Monsoon and Monsoon had failed and it was the end of Badrapada Maasa (September) and there was not even a drop from the sky. The King was worried though the astrologers had predicted normal rain, if not satisfying, yet there were no sign of clouds. By this time of the year the peasant community should have started the agricultural activities. The worried King consulted his Wise Minister. 

“Nanna Uttara nimma Hasthadallide, nimma Chitta” (My answer is in your hands, your wish) told the Wise Minister when asked about the rain. The King understood what the Wise Minister had told and waited for another fortnight. The sky did open up and it started to rain. 

There was a code in the sentence of the Wise Minister which the King decrypted. To a lane person it seems that the Wise Minister had no answer and had left the matter to the King to decide.    

The words “Uttara” Hastha” and “Chitta” in Kannada is “Answer” “Hand” and “Wish” respectively but they are the names of the 27 Nakshatras (Constellations) too. Amazingly they are associated with the rainfall pattern which our farmers keep track. Our Vedic rainfall prediction technique has its own unique beauty for estimating the time & amount it will rain, as it is the simplest and more accurate way to predict rains. This technique is based on the positions of the Sun and the 27 Nakshatras. Off the 27 Nakshatras only 11 Nakshatras from Rohini (May) to Chitta (Oct) coincides with the crop growing period of Kharif (Monsoon Crop season). 

The transit of Sun over these 11 Stars is classified as Kharif. Rohini and Mrigashira bring Pre-Monsoon showers. Aridhra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha, Makha, Pubba and Uttara bring Monsoon (Mungaru) rain. Hastha and Chitta bring Post-Monsoon showers. The Nakshatras Mrigashira, Aridhra, Pushya, Makha, Pubba and Chitta has an increasing trend whereas Rohini, Punarvasu, Aslesha, Uttara and Hastha Nakshatras shows decreasing trend in rainfall.

When the King was anxious as the Pre-Monsoon and Monsoon had failed the Wise Minister had advised the King to remain calm and wait for Post Monsoon showers, that is what he meant in code words.  

In addition to the positioning of the Sun and the Stars our ancients had some unique techniques to predict the amount of rainfall. Nature gave them indications of rain, ants emerging out of ant hill carrying their eggs and a sudden croaking of frogs indicated sudden rains. Halo around the Sun or Moon means it will rain shortly. On the day of Holi, it is tradition to lighten up bonfire to commemorate the burning of Kamadeva by Maharudradeva. The height of the towering fire and the direction of the smoke (velocity of Wind) is observed to determine the intensity of rain. 

Nature has provided us indications to be forewarned so that we are forearmed. It has been since Vedic times to forecast rains based on the observations of winds, clouds or behaviour of animals, birds, insects, trees, plants or atmospheric wonders like halo around the Sun or Moon. 

Aren’t we blessed???