CHAPTER II.

Scheme of the horoscope of the auspicious accession of H.M. the King of Kings.

It is now proper to construct the figure of the horoscope of the sacred accession with truthful compasses and righteous pen, so that awakened hearts may gain increased light and that the short-sighted may get length of vision; nay, that life may be given to the inani­mate, and world-descrying life to the animate.*

Verse.

This is the kingly horoscope,
This is the roll of Divine mysteries.
Rays of might, and tablet of success
Sum of wisdom and list of equity
'Tis the star of the star (kaukaba-i-kaukab) of glory and greatness
'Tis tidings of joy to the universe
Open the eye on this eternal tablet
Rejoice for ever over both worlds.

(For Table see next page.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHEME OF THE HOROSCOPE OF THE
ACCESSION OF H.M. THE KING OF KINGS.

Various delightful points arise from the consideration of this auspicious horoscope. The first is that in the tenth Angle, which is the house of sovereignty, the sun is showing increase of light. Now the main point for consideration with regard to the hour of an Acces­sion is the propitiousness of the tenth house, viz., that there should be a propitiousness befitting the approach of a world-adorner.

FIGURE.

<graphic>

Imām-Abū-l-Muhammad of Ghaznī, who was one of the great masters of astronomical prognostication, has laid it down that it is good to have the Ascendant in Scorpio so that the tenth Angle may be Leo, the house of the sun. God be praised! Here we have the sun come of his own accord into the tenth house and diffusing the rays of auspiciousness and fortune!

Verse.

A Shāh who was the fulfiller of hope,
His heart shone with eternal light,
How can his ray not brighten the world
Who has the sun for a guardian?

The second house which is that of property, is Cancer, and the Moon, which is the Regent of the house, has attained in the eleventh house, which is that of hope, the position of fauq-al-arẓ (ascension above the earth). This is a proof that the keys of earth's treasures will without difficulty or effort come into the hands of the treasurers of his fortune.

The third house, which is that of kinsmen and connexions, is Leo, and its dominant, the Sun, is in the tenth angle. All the rela­tives will be obedient to orders and submissive to the commands of the Shāhinshāh.

The fourth house is Virgo, which is called the terrestrial angle, and is conversant with the final results of actions and with posses­sions. The dominant (Mercury) is in the ninth house which is that of travel. This is a proof of excellent eventualities and of the stability of conquests.

The fifth house is Libra, which is that of children, and enjoyment and presents. Its Regent is Venus who is in Pisces, which is her house of exaltation. This proves that auspicious children will be near to the king by affection and favour, and will grow up in the shadow of dominion and grace, that the cup of social joy will brim over, and that caravans of gifts from the four quarters of the world will unload at his threshold.

The sixth house is Scorpio, which is that of slaves and servants, and of diseases. Its Regent, Mars, is in the house of sovereignty (the tenth). This indicates equability of temperament, numerous faithful slaves and devoted servants. Though Jupiter is in Sagittarius, yet, by virtue of equal distribution* of houses, he is imparting blessings to the sixth house.

The seventh house, Sagittarius, is the western* angle, and the Nadir (Naīr) of the ascendant. It is the house of enemies. As by the equal distribution of houses it is void of an auspicious star, there is strong evidence that the enemies of the State will be overcome.

The eighth house is Capricorn which is conversant with heritages. As its dominant (Saturn) is in the eleventh house, this is a proof that hereditary blessings will be attached to the perfect condition of his personality.

The ninth house is Aquarius and has to do with knowledge, faith, and travel. Mercury who is the lord of the Ascendant (as Regent of Gemini) is there. He has a kind aspect to the Ascendant, and causes the acquisition of the lights of wisdom. He tells of sincere inquiry into the affairs of realm and religion, soundness of plan in matters of travel, and conduciveness thereof to the confirmation of dominion.

Verse.*

A king, whom, for his wisdom, we call Ẕū fanūn (Master of sciences)
We call him a guide of the road to God
Though kings be God's shadows
He's God's light, how then call him a shadow?

The tenth house, Pisces, is called the tenth angle, and is the house of sovereignty and of mothers. The Sun, Venus, and Mars are there. The days of sovereignty will always pass pleasantly, and the owner of the horoscope will have daily increasing sources of splendour and glory. Mothers of high rank will attain their desires through his good fortune.

The eleventh house, Aries, is associated with hopes and with sincere friends. It is the Sun's house of exaltation, and the swiftly-moving Moon is waxing there. Every hope that arises in the holy soul will be fulfilled quickly and thoroughly, and friends will become successful from being associated with his great fortune.

The twelfth house is Taurus, and is the house of enemies. It is void of stars, and Mars is in aspect from the tenth house. The ene­mies of realm and religion will drink blood from the sharp sword of Mars. The Moon is in Aries, the Sun's house of exaltation. The great men of this science have declared that in accession-horoscopes, the Moon, which is the intermediary for conveying light from the superior heavenly bodies to the inferior, should be in Aries. They have considered this to be a circumstance greatly to be relied upon. The Sun is in conjunction with Jupiter. The regent of the tenth (Jupiter) is in the seventh house. The house of the ascendant is aerial.* These things indicate that the victorious troops will be well-disciplined, and that there will be increase of the royal splendour and glory. The part of Good Fortune is strong, for it is situate in Leo which is the Sun's house, and its regent is in the tenth house. Jupi­ter, who is a strong evidence of loyalty, is in the seventh in his own house (Sagittarius), and is most auspicious. The regent of the tenth is ascending. The affairs of the State shall daily advance and prosper. And* a portion of the house of the ascendant is rising in the man­sion of the Moon (?). Mercury has a friendly aspect to the Moon. All these are clear indications that things will turn out for the best, that fortune will increase, and desires be attained. The interpreta­tion of the good points in this horoscope, and the wonders of it, are beyond the power of description. Acute scrutineers of celestial tables and conners of degrees on the surfaces of astrolabes know by the schedule of thought and the calendar of intelligence how few of such great and greatness conferring hours, in which so many ever­lasting blessings are infolded, have occurred since the time of the first motions of the heavens and the constellations and since the conduct of the world of mankind, which is the quintessence of creation, has been in the charge of the heavenly bodies.

One of the poets has said with respect to the chronogram of the glorious accession.

Verse.

The pulpit was exalted by the king's khuba.
And by a just mintage deeds became golden,
By Akbar Shāh's sitting on sovereignty's throne
There came the accession chronogram Narat-i-Akbar (great victory, 963).

And the hemistich “The accession of the world-protecting lord” also points to the year ending in bliss. And the words Kām-bakhsh also give the date of this time which is twinned with auspiciousness, and were written by the dedicatory pen of Maulānā Nūru-d-dīn Tarkhān.