INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC ASTROLOGY

Indian Astrology or Vedic Astrology is known as ‘Vedanga Jyothisha’ which means astrology (jyothisha) is a limb of Veda (Vedanga). The Sages of ancient India had a thorough knowledge of astronomy or the movement of cellestial bodies, without the assistance of scientific instruments, much before Kepler, Copernicus or Galielio. They had planned the timing of many rituals based on the position of the planets. The mention of ‘Vedanga Jyothisha’ can be traced to the Vedas, mainly the Rig-Veda and the Atharva-Veda.

VEDIC ASTROLOGY :-

1. Siksha – study of Vedic elements

2. Chhanda – learning the correct expressions of Vedic Sukthas

3. Vyakarana – learning grammatical aspects

The Vedangas (limbs of Veda) are :-

4. Niruktha – understanding of mantras etc.

5. Kalpa – leaning the rituals

6. Jyothisha or Astrology – the eyes of the Veda which enables one to see the past, present and the future.

Astrology is divided into 3 main basic branches – Siddhanta, Samhita and Hora. Siddhanta deals with the astonomical studies. Samhita dwells on earthly phenomenons such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic action, weather, and the economic conditions of countries. Hora is classified into 4 categories – Jathakam, Prashnam, Muhurtham and Nimitham.

Jathakam - Based on the time of birth of an individual or the time of beginning of an activity, the fate of the individual or the activity is predicted with the help of planetary positions at that time. Three major schools (streams of systems) are prevalant for the same. They are Parasari, Jaimini and Tajika.

Out of these, the Parasari system is the most popular. It uses extensive mathematical calculations, which helps this system to provide more accurate predictions.

THE ZODIAC :-

The imaginary path of the Sun around the earth is termed the Ecliptic. The path extending 8 degrees (80) on either side of the ecliptic is the Zodiac belt. We feel that the Sun,the Moon, 5 planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus & Mercury) and the two nodal points where the path of the moon intercepts that of the sun (Rahu & Kethu) move in this belt. These are the 9 planets in Indian Astrology. The Zodiac belt is circular and hence is 3600. 27 star constellations have fixed position in this Zodiac belt. These constellations exist in 12 Rasis (houses) around the belt equally divided into 30 degrees each. These houses are named Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Mithuna (Gemini), Karkitaka (Cancer), Simha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo), Tula (Libra), Vrishchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius), Makara (Capricorn), Kumbha (Aquarius) and Meena (Pisces).

The Indian Science of Astrology gives certain remedial measures to overcome mental, moral and physical sufferings by various means. They are medicine, mantras and yoga practices. Gemstones also play an important role. Indian Astrology deals with all the aspects of human life indicating materialistic success and failures. At the same time it is deeply rooted in philosophy. The theory of Karma which almost resembles Newton's third law of motion (i.e., for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction), is also applied in Vedic Astrology.

THE 12 RASIS (HOUSES) AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS :-

As already said, the Zodiac belt is a path around the Earth and therefore it is a Circle having 3600. This Zodiac is divided into 12 Houses (Rasis) 300 each. The position of the Moon in these Rasis at the time of birth or the beginning of an activity determines the Birth Rasi (House). It may be noted that the Birth House in Vedic Astrology is different from the Birth house in Western Astrology, where the position of the Sun is considered.

The basic charachteristis of the 12 houses are given below

MESHA (Aries) :-

Those born in this sign are ambitious and forceful in their character. They are found to be independent in their vision. The physical and mental energy they possess helps them to face any difficult situation. They are found to be very dynamic. They tend to dominate others and are found to revel in glory. However they are found to exaggerate things. They tend to be impatient and are not far sighted. They are found to say false information to meet selfish motives. For those having the birth sign of Mesha, the dasa periods of Moon, Saturn, Mercury, Venus and Rahu are bad. The mutual aspect or conjunction of Jupiter and Sun are very good.

VRISHABHA (Taurus) :-

Those born in this sign are found to be having good appearance and personality. They behave emotionally. They have great attachment towards their relatives and friends. They live luxuriously. They may be passionate, spontaneous and arrogant. They enjoy praise and get carried away. Music and mantras (ritual chanting) are associated with Vrishabha Rasi. They make extensive travel. They are found to be having practical business abilities. They are likely to have problems with throat, heart and bladder. The dasa periods of Mercury, Sun, Saturn and Rahu are good. The dasas periods of Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Ketu are bad. Saturn is benefactor.

MITHUNA (Gemini) :-

Those born in this Rasi will be spiritual and will have an analytical mind. They are attarcted by art and literature. They will be multi-talented, expressive and imaginative and will have business wisdom. They will be engaged in two different fields of activity. They will benefit through his relatives. They will have recognition. The influence of Mars, Saturn, Rahu or Ketu on Lagna or the Lagna Lord will cause difficulty. They may suffer from pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma and anemia. Venus, Rahu and Ketu Dasas are good while the dasas of Mercury, Jupiter, Sun and Mars are bad.

KARKITAKA (Cancer) :-
Those born in this house are interested in mysteries. They have generally a secret neature. Parents influence them very much. They have a capacity to learn many languages. They will be recognised socially and may have public prominance.They are very sensitive and are often worried or emotional. They may have problems in married life and may not have children. The Dasa periods of Mars, Jupiter & Ketu are found to be good. Mars is a benefactor. The dasa periods of Venus, Mercury and Rahu are not favourable. They may have respiratory problems.

SIMHA (Leo) :-

As the name of the house suggest, those born in this house have a magestic personality. Their martial nature can cause certain difficult situations. They have leadership qualities. They love to visit forest, hills etc. They are passionate in love and philosophy. They may face problems relating to cardio-vascular system. They may have weakness of teeth and stomach. The Dasa periods of Sun, Rahu and Mars are facourable. The dasa periods of Ketu, Mercury and Venus are not favourable.

KANYA (Virgo) :-

Those who are born in this house are very sociable. They are very practical in their life and have a sense of justice. They are scholarly and show interest in occult sciences. They spend a peaceful life in old age. They may develop problems with abdomen. The Dasa periods of Saturn, Venus and Ketu are favourable while those of Jupiter, Moon and Rahu are unfavourable.

TULA (Libra) :-

As the name of the House suggests, those born in this house consider both sides of an issue and take a just position. They are well balanced. They do not get attached to anything. They are likely to have lesser children. They acquire knowledge. They are God-fearing and tend to be tilted towards spiritulaity. They are required to learn to control sexual insticts. They may develop problems relating to liver, kidney etc.

VRISCHIKA (Scorpio) :-
They are found to be very possessive. They do not get friendly with many. They are very cunning in nature. They have high sexual urges and run into trouble in love life. They may receive unexpected gains, gifts etc. The Dasas of Jupiter, Sun, Moon, Rahu & Ketu are fvourable while the dasa periods of Mercury, Saturn, Mars & Venus are unfavourable.

DHANU (Sagittarius) :-

Those born under this house are found to be very lively and jolly. They are passionate and short-tempered. Most of them show independent nature and handles situations very cleverly. They may develop difference of opinions with members of family and may run into family related problems. The dasa periods of Sun and Mars are favourble while those of Moon and Venus may be unfavourable.

MAKARA (Capricorn) :-

Those born in this house have a humble beginning and rise to great levels susequently. They are found to face the realities of life boldy and reach their goals. They are reluctant to accept the advice of others and take an adamant nature. They are generally suspicious of others. They are likely to face finacial crisis and losses. The Dasa periods of Venus and Mercury are favourable. The Dasa periods of Mars, Moon, Jupiter and Ketu are unfavourable.

KUMBHA (Aquarius) :-

Those born in this house are likely to make unexpected travels. They are influenced by their friends. They have an interest for occult sciences. They may become great thinkers or sprital leaders and serve for the progress and upliftment of mankind.. A few may have the chance of becoming great saints. The Dasa periods of Sun, Venus, Saturn and Rahu are beneficial. But the Dasa periods of Moon, Mars, Mercury & Ketu are unfvoruable.

MEENA (Pisces) :-

Those born under this House are found to be having unsteady moods. They are emotional. They are moved by the sufferring of others and are willing to help those in need. They get very fortunate children. They may lead a life in isolation at some period of their life. They are attracted by occult sciences. They are likely to have many brothers and sisters, and more daughters than sons. They are prone to nasal diseases. The Dasa periods of Mars, Moon and Ketu are favourable. They have to be careful during the Dasa periods of Sun, Venus and Mercury.

STARS AND PLANETS IN THE ZODIAC BELT :-

As already stated the Zodiac belt is circualr and therefore is 3600. The cicular belt is divided into 12 houses of 300 each. The belt is also divied into 27 parts each 130 20’ (13 degrees 20 minutes) of the arc where the stellar constellations are found. It can be seen that these 27 stellar constellations known by 27 names of Stars exists in the 12 houses. Hence 2¼ Stars are in one House (Rasi). The Vedic or Indian Astrology is based on these 27 Stars and the 9 planets – Sun (Ravi), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Kuja), Mercury (Budha), Venus (Shukra), Jupiter (Guru), Saturn (Sani), Rahu & Ketu. Rahu and Ketu have no physical existence but are the nodal points 1800 apart, as described above. They are called shadow planets.

The names of the STARS (Nakshatras) (Constellations), are given below:-

1. Aswini (Aswathi)
2. Bharani
3. Krithika (Karthika)
4. Rohini
5. Mrigashirsha (Makayiram)
6. Ardra (Thiruvathira)
7. Punarvasu (Punartham)
8. Pusya (Pooyam)
9. Ashlesha (Ayilyam)
10. Makha (Makam)
11. Purvaphalguni (Pooram)
12. Utharaphalguni (Uthram)
13. Hastha (Atham)
14. Chitra (Chithira)
15. Swathi (Chothi)
16. Visakha (Visakham)
17. Anuradha (Anizham)
18. Jyeshta (Trikketta)
19. Moola (Moolam)
20. Poorvashada (Pooratam)
21. Utharashada (Uthratam)
22. Shravana (Thiruvonam)
23. Dhanishta (Avittam)
24. Satabhisha (Chathayam)
25. Poorvabhadra (Pooruruttathi
26. Uttarabhadra (Uthrattathi)
27. Revati

Each Star (Nakshatra) has 4 quarters (padas or legs) and each pada is 30 20’ (3 degrees and twenty minutes)

PLANETS AND THEIR DIRECTIONS :-

1. SUN (Ravi) - EAST
2. SATURN - WEST
3. MERCURY - NORTH
4. MARS - SOUTH
5. JUPITER - NORTH-EAST
6. VENUS - SOUTH-EAST
7. MOON - NORTH WEST
8. RAHU - SOUTH-WEST

The presence of the 9 planets and the 27 Stars in the various houses at the time of birth / beginning of an event or project influences the person born or the event/project that has started at that particular moment. Vedic Astrology deals with the analysis of these influences and suggesting remedies for the bad influences.

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For a very long period,the celestitial forces or the stars have been used to lead mankind in his journey through life.The path & directionsof this journey were assessed with the help of Vedic or Indian Astrology ‘based on real