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Jyotiṣa () is the Ancient India n system of Astronomy and Astrology (also known as '''Indian astrology''', '''Hindu astrology''', and '''Vedic astrology'''). Vedic system of astrology is one of the six disciplines of Vedanga , the auxiliary disciplines of Vedic Religion . As such, Jyotish has historically been part of a continuous '' Holistic '' approach to living and an integral practice based on the Ancient Spiritual Tradition Of India . The foundation of jyotish is the notion of Bandhu of the Vedas or scriptures, which is the connection between the Microcosm and the macrocosm. Its purpose is to offer Humanity a means to understand the role and expression of Karma in individual and collective life. Indeed, Hindu s believe that humans have fortune and misfortune in life because of karma. Many use Jyotish to understand setbacks in life due to the influence of planets and perform religious ceremonies to mitigate or avoid the ''pain of separation'' in life. The practice of Vedic astrology primarily relies on the ''visible'' or Sidereal Zodiac , which is different from the Tropical Zodiac used in Western Astrology in that an '' Ayanamsa '' adjustment is made for the Gradual Precession of the Vernal Equinox . The Tropical Zodiac is used in Vedic astrology only to compute ascendant (lagna), although the end result is converted to sidereal lagna. Prediction of weather and related phenomena is traditionally made according to sidereal system, especially through horoscopes for the moment of solar transition into sidereal nakshatras and rāshis at ancient cente of India (near Bhopal at Cancer) or from Meru in Jamboodvioa cf. Narpatijayacharya, a 9th century work based on various ancient Yamal Tantras ; but some people are now experimenting with tropical syatem for predicting the course of nature - as in weather, etc. Vedic astrology also includes several nuanced sub-systems of interpretation and prediction with unique sacralized elements not found in Western astrology, such as its specific system of Lunar Mansion s (called ''nakshatras'', encompassing a pantheon of archetypal deities). The nakshatras are used by some to pick auspicious times of day or month for every human activity as well as to provide insight into the motivations and guiding characteristics of humans and events coming under their influence. Nakshatra Cycles based on the natal placement of the Moon or Vimshottari Dashas are developing a reputation in contemporary culture for the accuracy with which they time unfolding conditions in one's life. When combined with an analysis of Planetary Transits , significant events in life become predictable. In India, Jyotish is still commonly used to aid in important decisions in life. In Hindu culture, newborns are traditionally named based on their jyotish charts, and jyotish concepts are pervasive in the organization of the calendar and holidays as well as in many areas of life. Astrology is perceived to be vital in Indian Culture , in making decisions made about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home. FOUNDATIONS is not merely horoscope astrology, the latter is a tertiary branch of . Vedic were religious rites which were performed for obtaining some boons from the deities, and these rites were performed only at specific astronomical concurrences which were thought to be more auspicious for the rites. The first Vedic yajña was (first chapter of Yajurveda :TS,VS) : which could be performed only at new and full moons as the very name implies. The very concept of auspiciousness of certain astronomical events for appeasing the gods implies that existed then, because this is the very essence of . Vedic could not be performed without the presence of ; that is why has been traditionally regarded as a part (anga) of Veda, i.e., a Vedanga. The tradition of Jyotish is said to have existed in an unbroken line since 3000 B.C. or for some s'' which are thought by astrologers to seize or act upon created beings and influence their actions and life. In particular, Surya , the Sun, is a manifestation of Vishnu , a central aspect of the Supreme, and is also the Atman within man. Some level of interaction between Western and Indian astrology in ancient times has also been documented. The '' Yavanajataka '' ("Sayings of the Greeks") was translated from Greek to Sanskrit by Yavanesvara during the 2nd century CE, under the patronage of the Western Satrap Saka king Rudradaman I , and is considered the first Indian astrological treatise in the Sanskrit language.Mc Evilley "The shape of ancient thought", p385 ("The Yavanajataka is the earliest surviving Sanskrit text in horoscopy, and constitute the basis of all later Indian developments in horoscopy", himself quoting David Pingree "The Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja" p5) Jyotish's many lineages or Parampara s emphasize that its study is a Sadhana or technique of mental and Existential development. In modern times, it is a chief source of reference for many Hindus and other Astrologers . Vedic astrologers will frequently prescribe special stones or meditation techniques using Mantra s to those facing difficult or unclear futures as predicted by means consistent with Jyotish methodology. While in past centuries, Brahmins had been the primary practitioners of Jyotish, since the last century, a renaissance of study of Jyotish and other Vedic sciences emerged in India and the west. The term "Vedic astrology" has been recently introduced by American and European astrologers in the 1980s and 1990s , leading to collaborative organizations such as the now-international Council of Vedic Astrology. http://www.councilvedicastrology.org/ Council of Vedic Astrology FUNDAMENTALS Vedic astrology i.e. ''Jyotish'' contains some concepts that are not found in any other school of astrology. Some of the important building blocks are discussed below. Nakshatra – the lunar mansions See Also: Nakshatra Unique to Jyotisa or Vedic astrology is the idea of the nakshatra ( passes through during its Month ly cycle, as used in Hindu Astronomy and Astrology . Each nakshatra represents a division of the Ecliptic (of 13 degree 20 minutes) similar to the Zodiac signs. The mansion associated with a given date corresponds to the constellation which the Moon is passing through at that time. Traditionally the nakshatra position of Moon is computed for native's mental make-up, and calculations of planetary periods or Dasha . Each nakshatra is further partitioned into four equal segments known as charan or pad. Nakshatra contains an important place in '' Astrological Match Making '', ''Muhurta'', ''Panchanga'' and ''Praśana'' affairs. In ancient India, nakshatra was more important than rāśi. Rgveda mentions Nakshatra 11 times, while rāśi is mentioned only 4 times (in the sense ''collection'' rather than a zodiacal division). Graha – the planets See Also: Navagraha Graha literally means any heavenly body or point that can cast an impact on human affairs. It may be translated as planet for ease. Graha also includes Lunar Node s (Rahu and Ketu) and sub-planets (upgrahas) which are not planets but no less effective than planets. The extra-saturnine planets ( Uranus and Neptune ) are not included in the category of Graha. Here are the list of Nine Grahas (heavenly bodies or "planets"): It is said in Vedic thought that everything emanated from the one basic vibration of "Om" or " Aum ." From "Om" the five elemental vibrations emerged representing the five different tattwas (or elements). The five planets represent these five vibrations – Jupiter for Ether , Saturn for Air , Mars for Fire , Mercury for Earth , and Venus for Water . Everything is made up of these five different elements in different proportions. From this, arise the principles of Jyotish, the principles of Ayurveda , the principles of Yoga , the principles of Indian Classical Music , the principles of color, and many other sciences in ancient India. Rāshi – the signs The most easily referred to difference between the Jyotish and Western Zodiac s lies in the method of measurement. While synchronically, the two systems are identical, Vedic astrology uses primarily the Sidereal Zodiac (in which stars are considered to be the fixed background against which the motion of the planets is measured), whereas most Western Astrology uses the Tropical Zodiac (the motion of the planets is measured against the position of the Sun on the Spring Equinox ). This difference becomes noticeable over time. After two Millennia , as a result of the Precession Of The Equinoxes , the origin of the Ecliptic Longitude has shifted by about 22 degrees. As a result the placement of planets in the Jyotish system is consistent with the actual zodiac, while in western astrology the planets fall into the following sign, as compared to their placement in the sidereal zodiac, about two thirds of the time. The sidereal zodiac is also an imaginary belt of 360 degrees (like the tropical zodiac), divided into 12 equal parts. Each twelfth part (of 30 degrees) is called a sign or rāshi. One's Ascendant , or ''lagna'', the rāshi which is rising on the eastern horizon at the time of one's birth, is the most influential and important one. Of lesser importance but still some impact is the Janma Rāshi, the rāshi in which the moon lay while one was born. There are three different Jyotish chart notations, for showing the rāshi and bhāva ( the houses ) which are functionally equivalent but quite different in appearance. The following images show the same birth chart in the two main notations - North Indian and South Indian. The third notation is followed in Eastern parts of India.
The charts are broken into twelve sections, houses or Bhāvas, each of which is related to a rāshi in an Equal House System when rough and hurried computations are needed, but when precision is needed Bhāvas are made according to Bhāvachalita in which houses are unequal due to elliptical nature of apparent orbit of the Sun. Bhāva – the houses A two house system is in practice among follower of Jyotish. The first house is what Western astrologers call the Whole Sign House System while the second one is ''Sripathi'' akin to a Porphyry house system. KP also incorporates Placidus house system. The significance of 12 houses are as follow.
Lagna – the ascendant One's Ascendant , or ''lagna'', the rāshi which is rising on the eastern horizon at the time of one's birth, is the most influential and important one. In addition, Sage Parasara mentioned a few special ascendants or ''Veshaish Lagni'' before mentioning the results of various divisional charts and houses. His mention that houses can be counted from special lagnas clearly indicates that he wanted special lagnas to be used instead of lagna for some clear purposes. Some important special lagnas are follows.
Drishti – the aspect Aspect is one of the most important phenomena that not only interlinks the planets with each other but also playing a role of bridge between signs. In Jyotish the word Drishti is tantamount to Aspect, means glance or sight. It is the transfer of influences to another graha or rāshi as a result of their situation in relation to each other. The hierarchy of aspect can be categorized into two types as;
1- Aspect based on Planet or Sign’s Nature This is the system of aspect studied in Vedic Astrology. This holds that certain planet or sign sights another planet or sign depends on its nature. This can also be divided into two kinds, namely;
Graha Drishti should prefer when analyzing
Rāshi Drishti should prefer when analyzing
2- Aspect based on Relative Distance This is the same method In Vogue in Western Astrology. Tajik Varshphal (Vedic Solar Return Chart) applies this technique to erect 14 different types of aspects also known as varshphala yogas. OTHER ELEMENTS Jyotish also contains other important elements which build upon or develop the fundamental concepts of Vedic astrology. 16 Vargas – the divisional charts The term ''Varga'' means Division and refers to the various divisions of a sign, based on which Divisional Charts (or simply D-Charts) is constructed. Divisional charts (Vargas or Amsas) are very peculiar to Jyotish, and they are not found in other systems of astrology. Ancient Indian Mentor and Expert, Maharishi Parashara describes 16 divisional charts which are as follows;
Maharishi Jaimini explaines 4 more divisional charts. They include;
Apart form Rāshi (D-1); Navamsha (D-9), Drekkana (D-3), Dasamsa (D-10) and Trimsamsa (D-30) are considered significant divisional charts. Argala – the intervention Significations of various houses are interlinked. Support provided by one house to another is called ''Argala'' and the obstruction offered to supporting houses is called ''Virodha argala''. Graha (planets) in 2nd, 4th and 11th house cause argalas on a given house, whereas the planets in 12th, 10th and 3rd cause virodha argalas to 2nd, 4th and 11th respectively. Banefic generally give ''shubha argalas'', malefic offer''papa argalas''. If however a malefic has an argala on house of which it is a significator, such an aragala can be termed as shubha. For example a malefics in 10th house cast papa argala to 9th house as 10th house is second from 9th. This may make the native non religious and give bad relations with boss/teacher, provided there is no virodh argala from 8th. Arudha – the mounted image The term Arudha Pada is also known as "Pada". Arudha literally means "mount" and refers to the IMAGE of a sign falling on another due to "reflection of the rays emanating from it and being reflected by its lord. Keeping the reflection in view, the Karaka (Significator) can be taken to be the Moon. Count from a sign to its lord. Then count as many signs from the lord to arrive at the ARUDHA PADA. For example, if the Lagna Lord is in the fifth house, then count five signs from the Lagna lord to arrive at the ninth house. This ninth house becomes the arudha Pada for the Lagna. Exception: The Arudha Pada cannot be in the same sign or the seventh from it. In case this happens, then choose the tenth house therefrom. For example, if the Lagna Lord is in the 4th house, then the Arudha lagna should be in the 4th from the 4th house i.e. the 7th house. But since this is not allowed, the tenth therefrom should be chosen. The tenth from the 7th house is the 4th house and the 4th house becomes the Arudha Lagna. Arudha of 1st house is also called PADA LAGNA or ARUDHA LAGNA. Arudha lagna stands for "manifestation of self, in this maya (illusory) world". In this manner Arudha Pada can be computed for all the houses. They are called Dhana Pada (2nd), Bhratripada (3rd), Matri Pada (4th), Mantrapada (5th), Satrupada (6th), Dara Pada (7th), Roga pada (8th), Bhagyapada (9th), Rajyapada (10th), Labhapada (11th) and Upapada (12th). Jaimini discussed Arudha lagna (AL) and Upapada (UL) extinsively in his classical treatise. Yoga – the planetary combinations In Jyotish, ''Yoga'' means yoka or combination. Yogas are certain planetary combinations. Jyotish classics explaines hundred of thousands of yogas. Chandra (lunar combinations for general luck), Dhana (wealth related) and Raja (power and success related) yogas are often studied. Nearly eight hundred astrological yogas have been mentioned in ancient and early mediaeval Indian texts. Shadbala – the sixfold strength Shadbala means sixfold strength. Although these strengths are combinedly used for finding the effect of planets on the lives of the natives, there is more use of the strengths and we get the clue of those uses from their names. These strengths need not be used only predicting the results of the dasa, however, can be used for normal horoscopic interpretation. Shad Bal consists of the following strengths
These strengths are computed for the seven Grahas from Sun to Saturn. The lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) are not considered. BRANCHES Vedic astrology (''Āgam ShāĀstra / Jyotisha''- futurity sciences) has three main branches:
Other related branches
MODERN APPROACHES Vedic astrology includes a number of techniques and approaches that have accumulated over the eons with little consensus on what gives consistently accurate results. This collection of techniques and approaches is sometimes referred to as Classical or Traditional Jyotish. However, new insights and applications have developed in the modern epoch, with the objective to achieve more precise analysis and accurate predictions. They include the following:
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CLASSICAL TEXTS Treatises on nativity
Treatises on Hindu electional astrology
Samhitas – treatises on mundane, portents, omens, meteorology, etc.
NOTES AND REFERENCES =Bibliography= VARIOUS AUTHORS
BOOKS BY PRASH TRIVEDI
BOOKS BY BEPIN BEHARI
BOOKS BY DR. K. S. CHARAK
BOOKS BY V.K. CHOUDHRY , M.B.A.
Books co-authored with K. Rajesh Chaudhary , M.B.A.
BOOKS BY B.V. RAMAN
BOOKS BY K.N. RAO
SEE ALSO
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