Pregnancy of the Air
The pregnancy of the air refers to the critical period of wind retention that determines the success of the monsoon season. This ancient Vedic meteorological system focuses on observing atmospheric conditions during specific days to predict rainfall patterns and agricultural outcomes.
According to sage Vasishta and other ancient authorities, the four days of retention beginning from the 8th day of the bright half of Jyeshta are sustained by the winds and hold the key to understanding the coming rainy season.
Retention Period
Start Date
8th day of bright half of Jyeshta
Duration
4 days
Purpose
Sustained by the winds
Favorable Conditions
Soft and gentle breeze
Sky covered with glossy clouds
Rainfall Retention Rule
| Asterism (in Jyeshta) | Affected Month | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Swati | Sravana | If rain in Swati, no rain in Sravana |
| 2nd asterism (from Swati) | 2nd month (from Sravana) | If rain in asterism, no rain in corresponding month |
| 3rd asterism (from Swati) | 3rd month (from Sravana) | If rain in asterism, no rain in corresponding month |
| 4th asterism (from Swati) | 4th month (from Sravana) | If rain in asterism, no rain in corresponding month |
Note: The four asterisms beginning with Swati in the bright half of Jyeshta correspond to the four months commencing with Sravana. Rain during these asterisms indicates retention (absence of rain) in the corresponding months.
Retention Days Conditions
Same Type Days
If all four days of retention are of the same type
Result: Auspicious
Unlike Days
If the four days are unlike each other
Result: Disastrous
⚠️ Engenders danger from thieves
Auspicious Symptoms
The days of retention will be favorable if accompanied by the following symptoms:
Lightning
Beautiful flashes emanating from auspicious quarters
Water-drops
Presence of water droplets
Dust-storm
Rain with dust on the same day
Sun and Moon screened
Sun and Moon screened by clouds
Children's happy sports
Children engaging in happy sports
Pleasant bird cries
Cries of birds are pleasant
Birds sporting
Birds sporting in dust, water or the like
Halos around Sun and Moon
Sun and Moon encircled by glossy, unbroken halos
Glossy clouds
Clouds are glossy and collected together
Clockwise cloud movement
Clouds moving in a clockwise manner
Predictions for Crops
Condition
Beautiful lightning from auspicious quarters
Prediction
Thriving of all crops
Condition
Rain with dust, happy children, pleasant birds, glossy halos
Prediction
Rain tending to growth of all crops
Condition
Glossy clouds collected and moving clockwise
Prediction
Heavy rain favoring growth of all crops
Key Principles
- The first four days from the 8th day of bright half of Jyeshta are critical retention days sustained by winds.
- These days prove favorable with soft, gentle breeze and sky covered with glossy clouds.
- Rain in the four asterisms beginning with Swati (in Jyeshta) indicates no rain in corresponding months starting from Sravana.
- All four retention days being of the same type is auspicious; unlike days are disastrous and bring danger from thieves.
- Beautiful lightning from auspicious quarters predicts thriving of all crops.
- Rain with dust, happy children's sports, pleasant bird cries, and glossy unbroken halos indicate rain favorable for crop growth.
- Glossy clouds collected together and moving clockwise bring heavy rain favoring all crops.
- The authority for these predictions comes from sage Vasishta and other ancient sages.