SOCIAL SCIENTIST shall perish.H Trouble for the north Indian cities of Taxila^ and Mathura^ has also been prophesied. Similar prophecies of trouble for the residents of Prayaga,^ Girivraja^ (or Rajgir), Mithila,^ Tamralipti,17 Pundra,^ Simhapura,^ Gonarda,20 Avanti^-1 (contextually including Ujjain) and Tripuri^ have also been made in the text. In the case of Ujjayini,^ however, Varahamihira goes on to predict complete destruction of the residents. The annihilation of the heads of both Ayodhya^ and the 'mythical city' of Alaka^-5 has also been prophesied. It is interesting to note, however, that while referring to specific towns, Varahamihira rarely predicts destruction of the settlement; in most of the cases he predicts trouble for the residents. This may suggest that the contemporary urban tradition, instead of being fatally constrained, had just started manifesting signs of weakness. For Varahamihira, who was more familiar with the western parts of India, the process of urban decay was not a matter of direct concern, be he was seemingly aware of this development that had afflicted the upper and the middle valleys of Ganga. This familiarity becomes pronounced in his predictions regarding urban settlements in general. Such forecasts specifically refer to the desolation and destruction of urban centres. If rivers recede from a town or the natural sources of water dry up, the town would become desolate. " If the Sun appears in the form of an arch, he will destroy the capital or cities.27 If a white aerial city (formed by clouds) is cut into two by the Sun, the town will be destroyed.^ 8 if meteors fall on the gate of a town, the town itself shall be destroyed.™ A meteor falling in a circular form shall also destroy a city.™ A halo observed on the sixth lunar day destroys towns.^1 If an emblem of Siva is devoid of sides, it will ruin the town.32 if a blasted omen stands crying in the same place, the concerned town will be destroyed in two months.^^ If a wild animal moves around a town, it will be deserted^ and if it enters the town, it will be destroyed.^ 5 The forecasts also relate to the destruction of city-dwellers^^ and the trouble for towns.*' Predictions also refer to fire threatening to consume urban settlements.^ Several passages, obviously concerned with political upheavals, refer to the capture and seize of capitals and towns. If birds and beasts with their faces glowing in the sun send forth their cries, standing to the south of a city, the latter will be captured by the enemies.^ 9 If Venus is seen at mid-day along with the Moon, the king's army and towns will be vanguished.^0 When Jupiter and Saturn occupy one and the same constellation, the capital will be stormed.41 If the Mercury gets eclipsed, towns shall be besieged.42 A tiny Agastya too has a similar fate in store for towns.^3 A halo having more than two rings spells danger for the prince and foretells the seige of the town,^4 while a halo observed on the twelfth lunar day causes a town to be