Note 12 — HISTORY OF NASSAR, THE SON OF KHOJA HUMAYUN, THE MERCHANT OF BAGHDAD.
Edward Rehatsek translation
Belief in judicial astrology—in the influence of the planets over the fortunes of men—prevails throughout the East, as it did in Europe until comparatively recent times; indeed the delusion appears to have its adherents in our own country, even in these “double-distilled” days, if it be true that Zadkiel’s Almanack has a very large circulation. Truly “error dies hard!”—An Asiatic, before setting out on a journey, being married, or beginning any important affair, always consults an astrologer to learn the precise lucky moment. In one of the Játakas, or Buddhist Birth-Stories, a man having missed making a good match for his son, because he had been told by a spiteful astrologer that the day proposed for the nuptials was inauspicious, a wise old fellow shrewdly remarked: “What is the use of luck in the stars? Surely getting the girl is the luck!” and recited this stanza:
While the star-gazing fool is waiting for luck, the luck goes by; The star of luck is luck, and not any star in the sky.
In the appendix to my edition of the Persian story-book entitled Bakhtyár Náma, pp. 218-223, may be found some rather droll anecdotes of the blunders of astrologers.