Hayanaratna · by Balabhadra
Chapter 1 · Planets, Signs, Year Entry
ग्रहराशिस्वरूपवर्षप्रवेशाद्यानयनाधिकारः
तिथ्युत्पत्तिं न जानन्ति ग्रहाणां नैव साधनम्॥परवाक्येन वर्तन्ते ते वै नक्षत्रसूचकाः ॥"
They do not know how a tithi (moon day) arises. Nor do they know how to work out the planets. They live by other people's words. They are surely nakshatra-suchakas (those who talk of stars without learning).
Simple meaning: False astrologers: they cannot work out the moon day or the planets. They only repeat what others say.
श्राद्धे गणकानामपाङ्क्तेयत्वं धर्मशास्त्रे नक्षत्रसूचकाभिप्रायेण ज्ञेयम् ॥
Astrologers at ancestor rites: the law books bar only the false astrologer, not every astrologer.
उक्तञ्च वशिष्ठेन ॥
Vasishtha on astrologers: one who knows all three branches is honoured at ancestor rites. The false astrologer is kept away from good rites.
नन्वस्मिन् ग्रन्थे ग्रन्थबाहुल्यमेव दूषणमितिचेन्न । यतो ग्रंथसंक्षेपेऽन्यग्रन्थापेक्षा विचारसंशयश्च भवति ॥ ग्रन्थविस्तारे संशयापेक्षयोरभावो भवति तस्माद्ग्रन्थविस्तारो न दोषायेति ज्ञेयम् ॥
Why the book is long: a short book leaves doubts and needs other books. A full book removes both.