Significance of Garga
Garga is a significant figure across various contexts in ancient Indian texts. In Purana, he is a revered sage and spiritual preceptor, while in Vyakarana, he represents groups subject to legal fines and ancestral lineages. In Shaivism, Garga is recognized as a disciple of Lakulisa. Additionally, historical accounts affirm Garga's influence in the establishment of the Indradhvaja festival and his pivotal role in the jyotisha tradition, making him a key authority in astral sciences.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Garga'
Garga in Hinduism embodies multiple interpretations, including an ancestral lineage, a sage addressing issues of affliction, and a revered preceptor in the Pashupata cult, showcasing his diverse roles in spiritual and astrological contexts.
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This is a sage to whom three statements are attributed, and one of them may have been taken from the Brihatsamhita, adding to the range of sources.[1] (2) Garga's teachings are proclaimed in the Dvapara age, and his statements are referenced in the text.[2]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The group of persons mentioned in the text who are subject to the fine of a hundred, serving as the focal point of the discussion regarding the enforcement of the fine.[3]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) A sage to whom Ritavac turned to understand the cause of his son鈥檚 affliction.[4]
The concept of Garga in local and regional sources
Garga is a significant figure in the astral sciences of the jyotisha tradition, known for his credible testimony regarding the Indradhvaja festival's origins, confirming its establishment before Varahamihira and enduring relevance in puranic texts.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) Garga is referred to as the samvatsara, which means someone who possesses knowledge of time, and he is also considered an astronomer or astrologer within the text.[5] (2) This is the name of an author, who composed books on astrology, as mentioned in the provided text, along with other authors.[6] (3) Garga is a figure whose testimony leaves no doubt that the Indradhvaja festival was largely established prior to Varahamihira, in a form that would for the most part carry on into puranic sources.[7] (4) Garga has long been considered one of the most important authorities, if not the earliest, on a variety of subjects in the astral sciences within the jyotisha tradition.[8]