According to ancient thought, whatever be the modern jargon-schizophrenia, catatonia,

dissociation, paranoia, reactive and endogenous depression, melancholia, maniac depressive

psychosis — insanity is caused not only by organic factors but also by 'spirits' or disincarnate beings.
All the modern medical magic has not been found enough to cure insanity. Hence the ancient
teachings cannot be ignored as out of date.

The first part has 16 chapters and the total number of slokas is 1283. I shall deal briefly with
the contents.

Chapter One begins with an introduction to Astrology, its branches, and who may study the
science with success. The author tells us what type of karma is indicated by the birth-chart and
Prasna chart under different circumstances.

How an astrologer should begin his day by prayer and what all he should note in any person
who approaches him with a problem forms the crux of Chapter Two. The directions indicated by
different signs and use of Arudha Lagna are explained. Answers are to be given according to Sutra,
Thrisphuta, Ashtamangala and Suvarnavastha. Muhurtas, favourable and unfavourable for queries,
are also mentioned. It also shows how omens, breath-variations and avastha or the mental state of
the astrologer are used in answering queries. Sparsa or the part of the body touched by a querent
comes in for discussion. The persons or objects encountered on the way to an astrologer, through
direction, the first syllable uttered, the way he stands, or the object with him are all dealt with in this
chapter. Facial expressions and the sight of certain creatures in interpreting prasna form the rest of
the chapter.

Kala Hora aid the significance of the different quarters (east, south-east, south, south-west,
west, north-west, north and north-fast) occupied by the Sun during his passage across the sky; the
indications of omens appearing in these quarters; are all discussed in Chapter Three.

Details for conducting Prasnakriya are explained in the n