The Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vedic Research Institute organised a two-day National Seminar titled “Kadambinī: Vṛishṭi-Vijnana Vimārsha (Discourse on the Science of Rainfall)” on 30–31 December 2025 (Tuesday–Wednesday) at the Vachaspati Auditorium, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit University, New Delhi, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Inaugural Session
Presiding over the session, the Honourable Vice-Chancellor of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, Prof. Murli Manohar Pathak, expressed his wish that the two-day national seminar be successful and stated that the Kadambinī text is extremely beneficial for society. Water is essential for all of us, and rainfall is its primary source. This text provides a comprehensive explanation of the causes behind rainfall and the absence of rainfall. The fundamental cause of rainfall is the Sun. The Sun absorbs water from the Earth and it is the Sun itself that brings rain back to the Earth.
As the Chief Guest, Shri Rajeshwar Shukla, Principal Judge, Family Court, Gorakhpur, stated that rainfall is essential for the preservation of life. From an environmental perspective, conserving water is the responsibility of all of us. Through this text, predicting rainfall becomes easier; hence, the book is worthy of study.
Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, while introducing the theme, said that the auspicious invocation of the text describes the deities responsible for rainfall. The four rain-bestowing deities are Vasavya, Sharmaṇya, Sapīti, and Marut.
देवान् वसव्यान् शर्मण्यान् सपीतीन् मरुतोऽपि च ।
अभ्यर्थये वशे येषामेषा वृष्टिः प्रवर्तते ॥ कादम्बिनी पृष्ठ १, का. ६
“I beseech the Vasavya, Śarmaṇya, Sapīti, and Marut deities,
under whose control this rainfall operates.”
(Kadambinī, p. 1, v. 6)
Second Session
The session was chaired by Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla. He explained that if at sunrise or sunset the Sun or Moon appears honey-coloured and strong winds blow, then excessive rainfall occurs.
उदयेऽस्तमये वापि विवर्णोऽर्कोऽथवा शशी ।
मधुवर्णोऽतिवायुश्चेदतिवृष्टिर्भवेत्तदा ॥ वही, पृ. २१९, का.४२
“If at sunrise or sunset the Sun or Moon appears discoloured or honey-coloured,
and strong winds prevail, then excessive rainfall occurs.”
(ibid., p. 219, v. 42)
Prof. Rāmrāj Upādhyāya, Department of Priesthood, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, stated that if the auspicious planets responsible for rainfall on the full-moon day of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha become afflicted, great inauspiciousness is feared—this is the author’s intent.
गर्भाः पुष्टिकराः सर्वे सुयोगा विलयं गताः ।
आषाढ्यां तु विनष्टायां सर्वमेवाशुभं भवेत् ॥ वही, पृ. ८५, का.४१७All the germinating conditions (germ-bearing clouds / rain-producing factors) that are nourishing and well-formed, having arisen from favourable combinations, are destroyed. When this destruction occurs in the month of Āshāḍha, everything turns inauspicious.
Prof. Harish, Department of Sanskrit, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, stated that if during Mārgaśīrṣa, Pauṣa, and Māgha months the Sun and Moon appear dim due to frost, then beginning from the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, there will be abundant rainfall for thirteen days.
तुषारमलिनौ ताम्रौ चन्द्रार्कौ मार्गतस्त्रये ।
आषाढशुक्लसप्तम्यारब्धे वृष्टिर्दिनत्रये ॥ तत्रैव पृष्ठम् २०, का. १९When the Moon and the Sun, appearing copper-coloured and dimmed by frost or haze, are seen during the three path-months (Mārgaśīrṣa, Pauṣa, and Māgha), then rainfall occurs for three days, beginning from the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Āshāḍha.
Dr. Dhananjay Mani Tripathi, Associate Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia, said that in the month of Pauṣa, based on the Moon’s motion, clouds conceive from Mūla to Bharaṇī nakṣatra, and based on the Sun’s motion, rainfall occurs from Ārdrā to Viśākhā.
पौषेमूलाद् भरण्यन्तं चन्द्रचारेण गर्भति ।
आर्द्रादिभे विशाखान्ते सूर्यचारेण वर्षति ॥ वही, पृ. २४, का.४१In the month of Pauṣa, from Mūla up to Bharaṇī (nakṣatras), the clouds conceive according to the movement of the Moon; and from Ārdrā up to Viśākhā (nakṣatras), they rain according to the movement of the Sun.
Dr. Ratish Kumar Jha, Assistant Professor, Jyotiṣa Department, Madhubani, Bihar, stated that if on the first Tuesday of the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha the sky is cloudless, without lightning or thunder, then excessive rainfall occurs for two months.
आषाढे प्रथमे भौमे निरभ्रे यदि भास्करः।
न विद्युद्गर्जितं तर्हि द्वौ मासौ स्यादवर्षणम् ॥ वही, पृ. ८०, का.३५७If, in the month of Āṣhāḍha, on the first Tuesday, the Sun shines in a cloudless sky, and there is neither lightning nor thunder, then there will be no rainfall for two months.
Dr. Mādhav Gopal, Assistant Professor, Aatmaram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi, said that clouds in the western direction on Pratipadā, Saptamī, Dvādaśī, and Pūrṇimā of the bright fortnight of Bhādra cause good rainfall.
प्रतिपत् सप्तमी भाद्रे द्वादशी च त्रयोदशी ।
पूर्णिमा चासु वारुण्यां श्रितैर्मेघैः प्रवर्षणम् ॥ वही, पृ. ११४, का.५५२In the month of Bhādra, on Pratipadā (1st), Saptamī (7th), Dvādaśī (12th), Trayodaśī (13th), and Pūrṇimā (Full Moon), if clouds gather in the western (Varuṇa) direction, then rainfall occurs abundantly.
Dr. Manishankar Dwivedi, Guest Faculty, Jamia Millia Islamia, said that if in Phālguna the sky remains cloudy without rain, it indicates successful cloud conception, resulting in good rainfall during the monsoon.
फाल्गुने नित्यमभ्रं स्यान्न तु पातयते जलम् ।
गर्भदोहसम्पत्तिं विद्याद् वृष्टिः शुभा भवेत् ॥ वही, पृ. ३९, का.१२५
If in the month of Phālguna the sky remains continually clouded, yet does not release rain, this should be understood as the successful formation and nourishment of the cloud-embryo; as a result, the rainfall will be auspicious (in the coming season).
Third Session
Prof. Sundar Narayan Jha, Department of Veda, presiding over the session, stated that if during the month of Caitra the Sun is in Revatī nakṣatra and for thirteen days there are no clouds, wind, or lightning, then the cloud conception is considered fruitful.
रेवत्या अर्कभोग्येषु त्रयोदशदिनेष्वपि ।
यत्राभ्रं पवनो विद्युत् तत्र गर्भः शुभावहः ॥ वही, पृ. ४३, का.१५३When the Sun is passing through Revatī nakṣatra, during those thirteen days, if there are clouds, wind, and lightning, then the cloud-embryo (rain potential) formed there is auspicious and fruitful
Prof. Mahānanda Jha, Department of Nyāya, stated that if during Māgha month from Mūla to Bharaṇī nakṣatra there are lightning, thunder, clouds, and easterly or northerly winds, rainfall continues from the Sun’s stay in Ārdrā up to Viśākhā.
पौषारब्धोडुसंदोहे मूलाद्ये भरणीपरे ।
विद्युद्गर्जितवाताभ्रैरार्द्रार्कादिषु वृष्टयः॥ वही, पृ. ३२, का.८८When, beginning in the month of Pauṣa, from Mūla up to Bharaṇī nakṣatras, there is a conjunction or gathering of stellar influences, accompanied by lightning, thunder, winds, and clouds, then rainfall occurs when the Sun reaches Ārdrā and the subsequent nakṣhatras.
Dr. Kuldeep Kumar, Assistant Professor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, said that the Sun absorbs essence from rivers, oceans, and land through its rays and returns it as rain for grains and living beings.
सरित्समुद्रभूमिस्थास्थापः प्राणिसम्भवाः ।
चतुःप्रकारा भगवानादत्ते सवितांशुभिः ॥ वही, पृ. ३, का.१२
The divine Sun (Savitr̥) draws up, by his rays, waters of four kinds—those situated in rivers, in the ocean, in the earth, and in living beings.
Dr. Pravesh Vyas, Assistant Professor, Department of Vāstushāstra, stated that thunder during the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha destroys cloud conception, and violent thunder leads to drought in Śhrāvaṇa and Bhādrapada.
गर्जितं ज्यैष्ठशुक्ले तु गर्भनाशाय जायते।
स्फूर्जथुश्चेत्तदा वृष्टिर्नास्ति श्रावणभाद्रयोः॥ वही, पृ. ६४, का.२६६
If during the bright fortnight of Jyeshṭha, there is thunder, the cloud-embryo (garbha) is destroyed. Consequently, there will be no rainfall during the months of Shrāvaṇa and Bhādrapada.
Dr. Naveen Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Vāstushāstra, said that if on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Vaiśhākha clouds thunder and rain, with easterly winds throughout the day, crops will be expensive in Bhādra.
वैशाखे पञ्चमी शुक्ला यद् गर्जति वर्षति ।
पूर्ववातो द्नं यावद् भाद्रे धान्यमहार्घता ॥ वही, पृ. ५७, का.२४९If on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Pañcamī Śhukla) of Vaiśhākha, thunder occurs and it rains, and if the wind blows from the east throughout the day, then during Bhādra month, the grains will be abundant and valuable.
Dr. Nigam Pandey, Assistant Professor, Jyotiṣa Department, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, said that the conjunction of Venus and Rāhu in Aries causes famine; likewise, the presence of the Sun, Mars, Saturn, and Venus in Aries also causes famine.
सन्ध्या च कुण्डलं शक्रायुधं दण्डस्त्रिशूलकम् ।
मत्स्योऽमोघश्च सप्तैते विकारा रविरश्मिजाः॥ वही, पृ. १५४, का.१२६
The seven types of distortions (vikāra) in the Sun’s rays are: Sandhyā, Kuṇḍala, Śhakrāyudha, Daṇḍa, Triśhūla, Matsya, and Amogha.
Dr. Krishna Kumar Bhargava, Assistant Professor, National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, explained that there are seven types of distortions in the Sun’s rays: Sandhyā, Kuṇḍala, Indradhanus, Daṇḍa, Triśhūla, Matsya, and Amogha.
श्रावणे शुक्लपक्षे तु सिंहसंक्रान्तिसंभवः।
समुद्रे पूर्णवृष्टिः स्यादन्यदेशे तु कुत्रचित् ॥ वही, पृ. १०८, का.५२१
During the bright fortnight (Śhukla Pakṣa) of Śhrāvaṇa, when the Sun transits into Leo (Siṃha Saṅkrānti), there will be full rainfall over the sea, while in other parts of the land, rain will occur sporadically or unevenly.
Concluding Session
Presiding over the session, Prof. Deviprasad Tripathi, former Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, stated that the Kadambinī text is entirely beneficial to society. It contains comprehensive material on rainfall science, and rainfall should be predicted experimentally based on this text.
Dr. Mamta Tripathi, Gargi College, University of Delhi, said that if during the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa the Sun transits Leo, there will be full rainfall on coastal regions, and partial rainfall in other parts of the country.
श्रावणे शुक्लपक्षे तु सिंहसंक्रान्तिसंभवः।
समुद्रे पूर्णवृष्टिः स्यादन्यदेशे तु कुत्रचित् ॥ वही, पृ. १०८, का.५२१
During the bright fortnight of Śhrāvaṇa (mid-July to early August), when the Sun enters the sign of Leo (Siṃha Saṅkrānti), there will be abundant rainfall over the sea, while in other regions of the land, rain will occur sporadically or patchily.
Dr. Kamini, Mata Sundri College, University of Delhi, stated that if the Moon touches Rohiṇī from its northern part, although it causes rain, it also brings many calamities.
रोहिण्या उत्तरोऽपीन्दुर्यदि स्पृशति रोहिणीम् ।
तदोपसर्गान् बहुलान् कुरुते वृष्टिदोऽपि सः ॥ वही, पृ. ९२, का.४९७If the Moon in the northern part of Rohiṇī nakṣatra touches the Rohiṇī nakṣatra, even though it is a rain-bearing (vṛṣṭi-do) Moon, it will cause many disturbances along with rainfall.
Dr. Balkaram Saraswat, National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, explained that clouds are of four types: Nāga, Parvata, Vṛṣabha, and Arbuda.
मेघश्चतुर्विधो नागः पर्वतो वृषभोऽर्बुदः।
नागशैलगजाभ्राणं योनिरेकैव तूदकम् ॥ वही, पृ. १३४, का.४१
Clouds are of four types: Nāga (serpent), Parvata (mountain), Vṛṣabha (bull), and Arbud (massive/clustered). Among these, the Nāga clouds appear like mountains, elephants, or rocks, and are associated with fertility or rain-yielding potential.
Dr. Kaushalendra Das, Department of Darśana, Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur, stated that rainfall in Phālguna from Mūla to Bharaṇī indicates rainfall in the monsoon; absence of rain then indicates monsoon failure.
मूलमादौ यमं चान्ते फाल्गुनेप्यवलोकयेत् ।
सजला निर्जला ज्ञेया निर्जला सजला भवेत् ॥ वही, पृ. ४०, का.१४८
During Phālguna, one should observe from the beginning of Mūla nakṣhatra to the end of Yamā (Yama) nakṣhatra. If rain occurs on these days, it is to be interpreted that rain will also occur in the rainy season (Varṣhā). Conversely, if there is no rain on these days, then the rainy season will also be dry.
The national seminar commenced with lamp-lighting and Vedic invocations and concluded with a Śānti Pāṭha. Around 100 scholars participated enthusiastically. Thirty research papers were presented, both offline and online.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vedic Research Institute.
If you’d like, I can also:
- condense this into a formal seminar report,
- adapt it for a journal/newsletter, or
- align terminology with modern meteorology for comparative study.