INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC ASTROLOGY

Origin of Astrology

Vedic astrology is also known as "Indian astrology" or "Jyotish Shastra". It is originated and flourished in the Vedic era of ancient India.

Ancient Vedic literatures or, “Vedas” are further divided into 6 parts known as “Vedanga” or, “Limbs of Vedas” and “Jyotish Shastra (Vedic astrology)” is one of them.

“Vedas” are also known as “Sruti” which means “To hear”  because “Vedas” are not just a mere creation of human mind but, ancient sages claim that, they heard the words or, got some intuition from a divine source and put these words in the form of texts .

“Vedas” are also called as “Apaurasheya” which means “Not created by man but, gifted by God” and “Nitya” which means “Existing in all eternity”.

Being a part of “Vedas”; Vedic astrology can also be considered as a “divine science” rather than a “human creation”.

Four Vedas -: Rig , Yajur , Sama & Atharva Veda

Moreover, Vedic literature had grown up in course of time and was really headed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.

This fact is indeed very fascinating because, remembering such a vast literature is a very herculean task.

“Vedas” are full of amusements and still can’t be decoded completely because Vedic literature used “Vedic Sanskrit” in which a single word can have several meanings and hence one can find multiple meanings of a single hymn.

Use of such complicated grammar nearly 5000 years ago is really amazing and forces us to admit that, it can’t be a creation of human beings.

Vedas contain nearly everything; starting from grammar to science, poetry, medicines, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, astrology and much more.

Without any sophisticated measuring instrument and technology, discovery of so much knowledge is really astonishing.

In the Vedas, we find many modern things like concept of DNA, atoms, speed of light, electricity etc. Therefore, after so many fascinating examples, believing Vedas are just the creation of semi-nomad people living 5000 years ago will be a foolish idea.

Many sages of ancient times who got such intuition from divine source and wrote Vedas, Upanishads and Vedangas are indeed great and highly knowledgeable.

Great sages who wrote texts on astrology are “Maharishi Parasara”, “Maharishi Vrigu”, “Maharishi Jamini”, “Maharishi Maitreya” etc.

Along with sages of ancient times, great learners of medieval India like “Varahmihir”, “Aryabhatta”, “Kalidasa” etc. also written many texts on astrology.

Ancient & medieval astrologers -: Sage Parasara , Sage Jaimini , Aryabhata & Varahmihir

               

 In fact, victors like “Aryabhatta”; “Varahmihir” , "Bhaskara" etc. studied astronomy (movements of planets, satellites, constellations etc.) for the sake of astrology because, with astrology they can help human kind and kings of that time.

Well, this is a brief description about the origin of Vedic astrology. Now let us see that how it differs from western astrology.

Western astrology is an offshoot of Vedic astrology and hence not so powerful in terms of predictions made by Vedic astrology.

Also learners of Vedic astrology say that, there are many misconceptions in western astrology like considering sun sign for judging the physical and mental traits of a person and considering planets like Uranus, Neptune and Pluto as effective as other planets(like, Jupiter , Saturn , Mars etc.) etc.

Therefore, once we understand Vedic astrology very well then, we don’t have to go for western astrology because with the former, one can do precise predictions.

Now, let us know the foundation on which the whole astrology has been erected.

Horoscope (Birth chart)

By using the horoscope or "Prashna kundali" of any person, one can predict the future events related to his or, her life.

A horoscope shows the position of stars and planets as was at the time of birth of the child.

These positions of stars and planets along with many other factors help in making predictions about the events associated with the life of a person.

Accurate predictions require these three things

• Correct date of birth
• Accurate time of birth
• Exact place of birth (longitude & latitude)

The style of presenting birth chart differs in different parts of India; but the essence of all the charts is same.

These are different presentation styles of birth chart -:

 

Different style of birth charts followed in different regions by astrologers

Zodiac

As per the Vedic astrology; the heavenly bodies like stars and planets move in a circular path of 360⁰ angle.

Zodiac belt around the earth

Zodiac is divided in 12 equal parts and hence each part occupies 30°. Here each part is called as “House” and is represented by a “Rashi (Sign)”.

Again; each rashi is ruled by some planet and each planet is associated with some stars (Nakshatras).

There are –:

• 12 rashis (Zodiac signs)
• 9 grahas (Planets)
• 27 nakshatras (Stars)

9 Planets (Grahas)

The nine planets of Vedic astrology

12 Zodiac signs (Rashi)

Twelve zodiac signs in Vedic astrology 

27 Stars (Nakshatras)

Twenty-seven Nakshatras in Vedic astrology

These three things ,i.e., grahas, nakshatras and rashis create the foundation of the whole astrology.

Thank you

Credit links for images

Vedic astrology image-: http://blog.indianastrologysoftware.com/2012/12/the-importance-of-time-in-astrology.html

four vedas image-: https://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/knowledge/article/how-were-four-vedas-created.html

Sage parasara image-: http://anantahimalayas.blogspot.in/2013/01/

Sage Jaimini image-: http://vipasana-vidushika.blogspot.in/2014/11/sages-from-hindu-scriptures-jaimini.html

Aryabhatta image-: https://knowscientists.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/aryabhatta-the-indian-mathematician/

Varahmihir image-: http://learnjyotishvidya.blogspot.in/2016/03/
zodiac belt image-: http://lovelydiahearst.com/?p=1689#.Wiqgl9KWbIU