The Wind Circle
The Wind Circle describes the effects of winds blowing from eight different directions on the full Moon day of Ashadha. Each direction brings specific consequences for crops, rainfall, and the welfare of kingdoms.
Wind Directions and Their Effects
🌾 East Wind Excellent
Observation Time
Full Moon day of Ashadha
Wind Characteristics
Easterly wind blows from heaven, tossed by the stroke of the tops of the billows of the eastern ocean and mingled with the mass of the mane-like rays of the Sun and the Moon
Effect on Earth
The whole earth will shine being enriched by the splendid vernal and autumnal crops and being covered overhead with groups of dark clouds everywhere
🔥 South-East Wind Destructive
Observation Time
Sunset on full Moon day
Wind Characteristics
Wind blows with such force as if to break off the peaks of the Malaya Mountain from the south-eastern part of the sky
Effect on Earth
The earth, blazing continuously with the flames of fire embracing (spreading on) its surface, will emit heaps of ashes along with the hot breath emanating from its own body
💧 South Wind Poor
Observation Time
At the conjunction
Wind Characteristics
Very rough and howling south-wind blows, making the monkeys dance through the leaves of palm-trees, bowers of creepers and trees
Effect on Earth
The clouds rising like the elephants which are struck and pricked by the goad shed a few drops of water like miserly persons
💀 South-West Wind Catastrophic
Observation Time
Sunset on same day
Wind Characteristics
South-west wind blows unceasingly tossing up and down in the sea heaps of small cardamoms, averrhoas and cloves
Effect on Earth
The earth shrouded by a heavy load of scattered broken bones of men who have perished by hunger and thirst, appears wild and restless like a young lady just losing her husband
⚔️ West Wind Mixed
Observation Time
At the time of disappearance of Sun's rays
Wind Characteristics
Strong gale from the west, raising dust with its beating wings
Effect on Earth
The earth will be endowed with rich crops and have the leading monarchs engaged in war and consequently will be filled with huge masses of marrow, flesh and blood
🐸 North-West Wind Excellent
Observation Time
Approach of sunset on full Moon day
Wind Characteristics
North-westerly wind be very strong, have a dense appearance and resemble broken bodies of serpents (or Garuda)
Effect on Earth
The earth will possess the fulness of blessings, on account of great happiness, caused by the all-round-growth of splendid crops and torrents of rain, wherein the frogs rejoice and croak continuously
🌸 North Wind Excellent
Observation Time
End of Grishma Season (full Moon of Ashadha)
Wind Characteristics
When the mass of the Sun's rays is screened by Mount Meru, a northerly breeze blows, disseminating the fragrance of the sweet-scented Kadamba flowers
Effect on Earth
The clouds will inundate the earth with water, as though mad (crying madly as it were), and intoxicated by the sight of splendid illumination caused by the flashes of lightning and destroying the rays of the Moon on the earth
👑 North-East Wind Excellent
Observation Time
General observation
Wind Characteristics
North-easterly breeze be cool, scented by the flowers of Punnaga, Agaru and Parijata, be sonorous and be enjoyed by groups of Gods
Effect on Earth
The earth restored to youthful vigour will be full of water and crops, and kings will curb their enemies, will protect all class of people and with the utmost justice
Wind Circle Summary
| Direction | Time | Effect Summary | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌾 East | Full Moon day of Ashadha | Abundant crops and rain | Excellent |
| 🔥 South-East | Sunset on full Moon day | Famine and destruction | Destructive |
| 💧 South | At the conjunction | Scanty rain | Poor |
| 💀 South-West | Sunset on same day | Famine and destruction | Catastrophic |
| ⚔️ West | At the time of disappearance of Sun's rays | Rich crops but warfare | Mixed |
| 🐸 North-West | Approach of sunset on full Moon day | Abundant crops and rain | Excellent |
| 🌸 North | End of Grishma Season (full Moon of Ashadha) | Abundant crops and rain | Excellent |
| 👑 North-East | General observation | Abundant crops and rain | Excellent |
Special Conditions
Bhadrapada Condition
Condition: Sky without rays of Sun, Moon and stars, and no rain
Interpretation: Cannot be called Bhadrapada
Note: This sloka is considered spurious by the Commentator
Key Principles
- Observations are made on the full Moon day of Ashadha
- Wind direction at sunset is particularly significant
- Each of the eight directions has specific effects on crops, rainfall, and kingdoms
- East, North-West, North, and North-East winds are generally auspicious
- South-East, South, and South-West winds bring destruction and scarcity
- West wind brings mixed results - good crops but warfare
- The chapter is said to be an insertion, not by Varahamihira himself
Classification of Winds
Auspicious Winds
- East: Splendid crops, dark clouds everywhere
- North-West: All-round growth of crops, torrents of rain
- North: Earth inundated with water, flashes of lightning
- North-East: Full of water and crops, just and protective kings
Inauspicious Winds
- South-East: Blazing fire, heaps of ashes
- South: Scanty rainfall like miserly persons
- South-West: Famine, death by hunger and thirst
Mixed Results
- West: Rich crops but warfare among monarchs, bloodshed on earth
Poetic Imagery in the Text
East Wind
"Tossed by the stroke of the tops of the billows of the eastern ocean and mingled with the mass of the mane-like rays of the Sun and the Moon"
South Wind
"Making the monkeys dance through the leaves of palm-trees... the clouds rising like the elephants which are struck and pricked by the goad shed a few drops of water like miserly persons"
South-West Wind
"The earth... appears wild and restless like a young lady just losing her husband"
North Wind
"Disseminating the fragrance of the sweet-scented Kadamba flowers... the clouds will inundate the earth with water, as though mad"