Chapter 2 — Great Incarnations
1. Maitreya: “O Mahārishi Parāśar, are the incarnations of Vishnu, viz. Śrī Ram, Śrī Krishn etc., endowed with Jivāńś?
2. Maharishi Parashar: “O Brahmin, the four incarnations, viz. Ram, Krishn, Narasimh and Varah are wholly with Paramatmāńś. The other incarnations (than these, out of the ten) have in them Jivāńś too.
3-4. The unborn Lord has many incarnations. He has incarnated, as the 9 (Nava) Grahas to bestow on the living beings the results due to their Karmas. He is Janardan. He assumed the auspicious form of Grahas to destroy the demons (evil forces) and sustain the divine beings.
5-7. From Sūrya the incarnation of Ram, from Candr that of Krishn, from Mangal that of Narasimh, from Budh that of Buddha, from Guru that of Vaman, from Śukr that of Parashuram, from Śani that of Kurma (Tortoise), from Rahu that of Varah (Pig) and from Ketu that of Meen (Fish) occurred. All other incarnations than these also are through the Grahas. The beings with more Paramatmāńś are called divine beings.
8-13. The beings with more Jivatmāńś are (mortal) beings. The high degree of Paramatmāńś from the Grahas, viz. Sūrya etc. did incarnate, as Ram, Krishn etc. After completing the mission, the Paramatmāńśas (of the respective) Grahas again merge (in the respective) Grahas. The Jivatma
portions from the Grahas take births, as human beings and live their lives according to their Karmas and again merge in the Grahas. And at the time of Great Destruction the Grahas as well merge in Lord Vishnu. The one, who knows of all these, will become versed in the knowledge of the past, present and future. Without a knowledge of Jyotish these cannot be known. Hence, everyone should have a knowledge of Jyotish, particularly the Brahmin. The one, who, devoid of knowledge of Jyotish, blames this Vedic Science will go to the hell called „Raurava‟ and will be reborn blind.
Quick guide
Before you begin
Bhav
Benefits devotees pray for
FAQ
Common questions
What does Chapter 2 of the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra cover?
Chapter 2, "Great Incarnations", is part of the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, the foundational classical text of Vedic astrology attributed to Maharishi Parashara. You can read the full chapter above.
What is the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra?
The Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS) is the most authoritative classical treatise on Vedic astrology (Jyotish), traditionally taught by Maharishi Parashara to his disciple Maitreya. Its 97 chapters cover creation, the grahas (planets), rashis (signs), houses, divisional charts, dashas and remedies.
Get your Vedic astrology reading
Have your kundali analysed by the principles of this classical granth. Explore the Jyotish tools, or read on in Sanatan Sahitya.







