INDIAN ASTROLOGY

In Sanskrit, Indian Astrology is also known as Jyotisha or Jyotish, meaning “light” or “Heavenly body” is a conventional Hindu system of Astronomy and Astrology. Though, Astrology and Astronomy is not the same subject but few things are discussed in Astrology are the main source of Astronomy. It is said that Indian Astrology or often called Hindu Astrology and at the recent time called Vedic Astrology is the term has been used as the English identical form of Jyotisa since the early 19^th century. But the term Vedic Astrology is new, entered into the general usage in 1980s with self-help publications on Yoga and or Ayurveda.

It has been classified into three main branches.

1.     Siddhanta (In English it is called “Indian Astronomy”

2.     Samhita (In English it is called “Mundane Astrology"

3.     Hora (In English it is called “Predictive Astrology”)

Although, Astrology has faced lots of debates in the past, for instance, Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2001, followed a judgment, which favoured Astrology, some of the Indian Universities do offer Advanced Degrees in Astrology.

History of Indian Astrology (Hindu Astrology)

Astrology or Jyotisa is one of the most famous Vedanga, the well known six auxiliary disciplines especially used to carry Vedic rituals.

The base of Indian Astrology is an idia of bandhu of the Vedas or Scriptures, which is interconnected with microcosm and macrocosm. Study and application primarily depends on the sidereal zodiac that is non-identical from the tropical zodiac that is used in Western Astrology. Indian Astrology comprises with various nuanced sub-systems of prediction and explanation with different elements not found in Western Astrology, like the system of Lunar Mansions or Naksatra.  It was only after transference of Western Astrology that the sequence of the planets in India was stable in 7 days a week. 

The very first confirmation of Greek Astrology to India is the Yavanajataka, which dates to the early centuries CE, under the assistance of Western Satrap Saka King Rudradaman I, verse version of Sphujidhvaja, which dated to AD 270. The renowned and the first astronomical text to explain the weekday was the Aryabhatiya (born AD 476).

Indian Astrology in Modern India

Astrology is an important aspect in lives of countless Hindus. It has seen that a new born baby named on the basis of his or her Jyotisha Chart, and many more, such as taking decision about the marriage life, starting a new business, moving into a new place and so on. Astrology keeps a place in the sciences in modern India. In 2001, Andra Pradesh High Court followed a judgment, some of the Universities in India offer Advanced Degree in Astrology. 

Today also many Hindus believe that different planets have an influence (negative and positive) in their life and as a human being we have to suffer for that according to our past Karma. The nine planets called Navagraha (Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Rahu, Ketu, Mercury and Saturn, it is believed these planets influence earthly life. There are 16 Vargas, in Sanskrit it is called “part” or chart used in Hindu Astrology.

Zodiac Signs

The planets fall into the following signs.

Number	Sanskrit	International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration	Sanskrit Gloss	English Name	Greek	Gloss	Tattva (Element)	Quality	Ruling Planet
1	मेष	Meṣa	Ram	Aries	Κριός	Ram	Tejas (Fire)	Cara (Movable)	Mars
2	वृषभ	Vṛṣabha	Bull	Taurus	Ταῦρος	Bull	Prithivi (Earth)	Sthira (Fixed)	Venus
3	मिथुन	Mithuna	Twins	Gemini	Δίδυμοι	Twins	Vayu (Air)	Dvisvabhava (Dual)	Mercury
4	कर्कट	Karkaṭa	Crab	Cancer	Καρκίνος	Crab	Jala (Water)	Cara (Movable)	Moon
5	सिंह	Siṃha	Lion	Leo	Λέων	Lion	Tejas (Fire)	Sthira (Fixed)	Sun
6	कन्या	Kanyā	Girl	Virgo	Παρθένος	Virgin	Prithivi (Earth)	Dvisvabhava (Dual)	Mercury
7	तुला	Tulā	Balance	Libra	Ζυγός	Balance	Vayu (Air)	Cara (Movable)	Venus
8	वृश्चिक	Vṛścika	Scorpion	Scorpio	Σκoρπιός	Scorpion	Jala (Water)	Sthira (Fixed)	Mars
9	धनुष	Dhanus	Bow	Sagittarius	Τοξότης	Archer	Tejas (Fire)	Dvisvabhava (Dual)	Jupiter
10	मकर	Makara	Sea-Monster	Capricorn	Αἰγόκερως	Goat-Horned	Prithivi (Earth)	Cara (Movable)	Saturn
11	कुम्भ	Kumbha	Pitcher	Aquarius	Ὑδροχόος	Water-Pourer	Vayu (Air)	Sthira (Fixed)	Saturn
12	मीन	Mīna	Fish	Pisces	Ἰχθεῖς	Fishes	Jala (Water)	Dvisvabhava (Dual)	Jupiter

Chart Source: Wikipedia

Naksatras (Lunar Mansions)

A Naksatra also called Lunar Mansion is one of the twenty seven divisions of the sky, recognized by the important stars in them used in Indian Astrology. At present time popular usage of 28 Luna Mansions or Naksatras covering 13°20’  of the ecliptic each.

Dasa-s (Planetary Periods)

The Dasa or the planetary period shows the active state of the person. The ruling planet of the Dasa is the lord of that planetary period, act as per the nature of the planet.

In Indian Astrology the primary system or the process used by Indian Astrologers is called “Vimsottari Dasa system”, that has been appraised and is universally applicable at present time (Kaliyuga) to all horoscopes.

Generally, the first Maha Dasha is decided by the place of the natal Moon in a given Naksatra. The lord of that Naksatra rules the Dasha. Each of the Maha Dasha is classified into different sub-periods called “Bhuktis” or called “Antar Dasas” which are proportional divisions of the Maha Dasa. Further sub division is called “Pratyantar Dash”, which can in turn be divided into “Sookshma antardasa”, which can in turn be divided into “Praana Antardasa”, which can be sub divided into “Deha Antardasa”etc.

Grahas (Planets)

In Indian Astrology, nine planets (Grahas) are used to predict of to prepare a horoscope. These nine planets of Vedic Astrology or Joytisa are the main and important grahas in making decision of the human fortune.  

Gocharas (Transists)

The natal chart often called birth chart shows the position of the planets at the time of the birth. The moment you born that time the position of the planets were in a certain place. We know that all the planets are moving around the zodiac time of time and due to that impacts of the planets are changing to our life, this period of the interaction is called Gochara, in Sanskrit it is called Gochara, transit.

This transit is not only based on the transit of the fast movers planets such as, moon but also the movement of the other fast movers planets like Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Sukra) but the movement of the slow mover planets like Jupiter (Guru), Saturn (Sani), Rahu (North Node) and Ketu (South Node) considered import.

In Indian Astrology, Astrologers study the position of the planets, their periods, impact, and relation with the ascendant (Lagna), rashi and Nakshtra etc. in predicting the horoscope.

In Sanskrit the term ‘Yoga’ means ‘Union’ means a combination of planets (Grahas) situated in a specific relationship with each other.

These Yogas are some of the specific planetary combinations in natal charts; these yogas can be pacific or malefic according to the posting of the planets and their bhavas (Aspects). In the Vedic Astrology, it is said that yogas affect the life of a person by giving various good and bad results, it can be positive or negation.  

Some of the important yogas are described below.

Gaja-Keshari-Yoga

This Yoga is considered an auspicious yoga in Indian Astrology. This Yoga is based on the placement of Moon (Chandra) and Jupiter (Guru) in a natal chart. This is generally happened when Jupiter (Guru) is in the angle from Moon (Chandra) 1^st, 4^th, 7^th and 10^th places in a birth chart. These houses are center houses in astrology.

Benefits of this yoga are many. This Yoga gives good luck, wealth, kids, prosperity in life, knowledge. In Vedic Astrology Jupiter and Moon are considered the very good planets for all auspiciousness. This Yoga can be formed if Jupiter is placed in own sign or in the friendly sign. If Jupiter placed in Kendra with the bhava (aspect) of Venus or Mercury then also the person can get auspicious result in life.

Kedar Yoga

This Yoga is formed when the 7 planets are place in any of the four houses in a natal chart. This is also a very auspicious Yoga according  to Indian Astrology. The native can earn lot of money and fame in life because of this Yoga.

Kahal Yoga

This Yoga is formed when the lords of 4^th and 9th houses are placed in mutual positions. Hence, the lord of the ascendant should be strong and powerful in a natal chart. This Yoga can give two types of results. An individual can be brave, kind, honest and rich and on the other hand the person can be foolish but the person has to work hard to prosper in life.

Kamal Yoga

This Yoga is formed with the combination of planets if placed in the 1^st, 4^th and or 10^th houses in a natal chart. This is also a very auspicious Yoga and the person led a happy and prosperous life. He can be an expert of many subjects.

Musala Yoga

This Yoga is formed if all the planets are placed in the fixed signs such as, Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio or Taurus. This Yoga gives fame, name and achievement in life. The person can get health, wealth, assets and led a happy life.

Neech-Bhanga Raja Yoga

This is a kind of RajYoga when the planets get the cancellation of bad effect in a natal chart. This is formed when a planet gets the cancellation of the bad effect and achieve the position of a King. If this Raja Yoga formed in a person’s birth chart he or she gets full comfort and happiness in life.

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