Draft:Ubakong augury

Ubakong (Thai: อุบากอง) refers to a simplified method of casting the horoscope of victory in war, according to the Thai astrological canon. In traditional terminology this system is called yām mahesura (ยามมเหสุระ), essentially equivalent to what is known as the "Ubakong augury." The Ubakong augury is expressed in mnemonic verse dating from antiquity, intended for easy memorization and used as a symbolic guide to determine auspicious or inauspicious times for moving an army. The traditional verses are as follows:

ศูนย์หนึ่งอย่าพึ่งจร
แม้ราญรอนจะอัปรา
One and zero, do not depart
If you go forth, misfortune falls

สองศูนย์เร่งยาตรา
จะมีลาภสวัสดิ์
Two and zero, march with heart
Great fortune surely calls

ปลอดศูนย์พูลสวัสดิ์
ภัยพิบัติลาภบ่มี
Zero alone brings welfare true
But brings no wealth, misfortune near

กากบาทตัวอัปรีย์
แม้จรลีจะอัปรา
A cross is cursed, it follows you
If you depart, ill fate draws near

สี่ศูนย์จะพูนผล
แม้จรดลดีหนักหนา
Four and zero, great results appear
If you proceed, success will stay

มีลาภล้นคณนา
เร่งยาตราจะมีชัย
Fortune comes in measure clear
Advance at once, you'll win the day

According to tradition, the Ubakong augury arose during wartime in the early Rattanakosin Kingdom. Legend holds that "Ubakong" was the name of a Burmese general captured in battle against Siam. Burmese soldiers carried with them such manuals of auspicious times, sometimes inscribed as protective yantra diagrams resembling a checkerboard, with numbers tattooed on the arm. While imprisoned, General Ubakong revealed ththais system to the Siamese. From then on it became known as the "Ubakong yantra". In the past it was widely believed, and many devotees had this yantra tattooed on their arms, memorizing the verses to determine auspicious and inauspicious times.

References

Category:Thai occult