Commonly asked Questions about Vedic Astrology: Jyotish

  Vedic  astrology (Jyotish) was cognized well over 5,000 years ago in ancient  India and provides a sacred body of knowledge and divine wisdom which  reveals each individual’s life path & purpose.  The main goal of  Vedic astrology is to offer a deeper level of awareness and  understanding about all aspects of a person’s life.  By some historical  accounts, Vedic astrology was the very first system of astrology to come  into existence.  Other astrological systems emerged in the context of  other cultures long after the Indian system was established.   These  other astrological approaches may all be traced back to ancient Indian  culture.  Vedic civilization itself may be over 8,000 years old.  

     The term “Vedic” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Veda” which  translates as “knowledge” or “wisdom.”  The Vedas are the four sacred  texts derived by enlightened sages, including Sage Saunaka, who  comprised the Rig Veda.   The great sage Parasara (pronounced  “Parashara”), is known as the “father” of Vedic Astrology and he wrote  one of the most important texts for all “aspiring” jyotishis, “Brihat  Parasara Hora Shastra,” which has been translated down the ages and is  read today for understanding the rules and procedures utilized in Vedic  astrological analysis.  While Parashara is known as the “father” of  Vedic astrology, there are actually eighteen great sages (including  Parashara) mentioned in the literature who are credited with “creating”  the great sacred science of Vedic astrology as we know it today. 

The  four Vedas specifically are: The Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and  Atharva Veda.  There are specific references to both astronomy and  astrology within the Vedas, dating back before 4,000 BCE.   As a whole,  the Vedas examine the true nature of the Universe, the order and  connection of events and the meaning of existence.  The Vedas, in and of  themselves, require more than a lifetime of study.
 

    The  Veda is comprised of six limbs (domains), known as “Vedangas.”  These  six limbs include: grammar, meter, intonation, etymology, ritual and  astrology.  The Vedanga is perceived as a living being with these six  limbs.

Astrology  comprises the “eyes” of the Vedanga, out of which creation and the  meaning of life can be understood.   Knowledge is taken in through  perception and analysis, leading to deeper understanding, synthesis and  awareness.  Then, proper steps/actions can be taken to achieve ultimate  desires and to advance in life.  

     Vedic  astrology offers us “EYES” to see on a much deeper level, what we are  missing by our limited perceptions.  This body of knowledge stems  directly from the Vedas, and is therefore “sacred” and must be revered  and treated with utmost respect.  Otherwise, astrological acumen will  fall flat and predictive abilities will be faulty.  Attitude is highly  important, for both the astrologer and  client.   You may consider the  idea that one’s subjective “mental attitude” accounts strongly for how  life is experienced and final outcomes are perceived.

    Vedic  (Indian) Astrology is also known as “Hindu Astrology” or “Jyotish” which  is the Sanskrit term meaning, “the science of light.”   The term  “Jyotish” is derived from “jyotir” which refers to “light.”  Hence,  “Jyotish” provides the “light” to “see” much more deeply and clearly  into the soul, into an individual’s past, present and future.   

     Traditionally, Vedic astrological knowledge was only obtained through a  sacred oral tradition and nothing was written in textual form.  Not  until Parashara, who was the disciple of Sage Saunaka, did the  astrological knowledge become available in written form.  Even today, in  2008, Vedic astrological knowledge is typically taught through a  mentorship with a more experienced Jyotishi (Vedic Astrologer) guiding  the student.  In my estimation, one may not become a scholar of Vedic  astrology without such a personal relationship and mentorship.  The  subject is so vast and magnificent, possessing so many facets and  intricacies, that a student could never learn this subject in any depth  from mere books or correspondence courses.  Just as a medical doctor  could never learn the field of medicine from only books, so too a  serious student of Vedic astrology should not even be called a “student”  without proper mentorship, under the guidance of a reputable role  model.  The true Vedic Astrologer must be dedicated to the knowledge  throughout his lifetime in order to advance his skills.

    In  fact, even a seasoned Jyotishi who has studied the subject for 20, 30,  50 years or more knows deep in his heart that he has barely touched the  surface of this great body of knowledge.   He must maintain his studies  forever, deepening his knowledge and awareness on a daily basis. Being a  student of Jyotish is a humbling experience due to the extensive depths  of knowledge that are involved.   The more one learns, the more one  sees he is missing.  This compels a Jyotishi to continue to learn and  deepen his knowledge base, striving to achieve even a fraction of the  greatness of Parashara.  

  The Vedic astrological chart may be viewed  as a blueprint or roadmap of the soul’s past, present and future  potential, with an emphasis on spiritual development and meeting one’s  true dharma (purpose) along the pathway toward enlightenment.    Knowledge is true power.  Preparation for what’s coming down the road  offers peace-of-mind, and allows one to take advantage of the  opportunities that are likely to present themselves during different  stages of life.  Vedic astrology is stunningly powerful and accurate at  revealing both the qualitative experience and timing of significant life  events.   Based on the sidereal zodiac, Vedic astrology accurately  reveals your soul’s destiny, and is particularly unique in its ability  to predict future trends and events in each person’s life with  precision.

    Gaining a deeper context and perspective about  your specific current life cycle (Dasha) offers a unique ability to make  decisions and choices about the course of your life.  You gain  information that applies specifically to you.  You are provided with  your own Vedic astrological roadmap showing you where the scenic views  are, where the potholes exist, where you are likely to encounter a  detour or slowdown, and where you can make progress by traveling on your  unique super highway of life.  Then, it is completely up to you to  decide how you are going to utilize the information and take your  journey.  

    In addition, Vedic astrology offers practical  remedial measures aimed at helping you  to strengthen targeted areas.   These remedial measures may take the form of chanting mantras,  performing certain actions, seeking assistance from other professionals,  wearing a specific gemstone and/or taking other deliberate steps for  self improvement.   At times, the remedial measures are very practical  and all require effort on your part.  

    For example, if an  individual is 50 pounds overweight and is suffering with high blood  pressure, then the remedial measure is to lose the weight, exercise and  develop healthier life style habits.  This takes hard work and  perseverance on a daily basis.  
 

    There is no substitution  for motivation and effort.  Either you respond and make the changes in  your life or you don’t.  You may join Weight Watchers or get some advice  from a nutritionist or physician, but ultimately, you have to decide to  do the work for improvement.  No one else can do that for you.   There  are no short cuts.  Some people progress farther than others.  Some  people struggle much more than others.  Other people “appear” to have an  easy ride through life.  Appearances can be deceiving.   Ultimately,  you are responsible for advancing or not in this lifetime, no matter  what your circumstances may be.

    Perhaps the measurement  system employed should be based on whether you “perceive yourself” as  advancing, improving and evolving through life in the areas you deem  most important.   No one else can judge that for you.  For some people,  putting food on the table and taking care of one’s family is a huge  achievement.  For others, life may involve climbing Mt. Everest or  dealing with a lifelong chronic illness and rising above it.   Spiritual  paths take many material forms, even though ultimately they all lead to  the same goal, moksha (becoming enlightened).  Vedic astrology is a  “tool” to assist you in deepening perception and gaining  self-awareness.   Once you see more clearly, you will be empowered to  make choices that are more aligned with your personality and life  purpose.

    Since the Vedic astrological chart reveals a  person’s talents, strengths, abilities and skills, it is important to  recognize these areas and bring your attention to them.  At times, it is  most helpful to have this reflected back to you from another source.   Particularly during periods of change, transition or discomfort, it is  important to focus on your purpose and to direct your energies  appropriately.  Hence, Vedic astrology is a serious tool, which  facilitates within the individual, a deep understanding of his genuine  life direction, purpose and goals. 

Several major features distinguish Vedic  astrology from the more familiar western (tropical) astrology known to most westerners. They are:

(a)  Use of the Sidereal vs. Tropical Zodiac:
 

     One of the most salient differences resides in how each astrological  system calculates the positions of the planets.  Western  (tropical—refers to the seasons) astrology considers the first day of  spring each year as the first degree of Aries.  For example if you were  born during the first week of August, you may consider that your “Sun”  resides in the zodiac sign (constellation) of Leo.  This would have been  true about 1500 years ago, but not in this century or during the  previous century when you were born.  

    Astronomically, in  this example, the Sun actually resides in the constellation of Cancer  during the first week of August.  Why?  Tropical astrology uses the  seasons for defining the position of the Sun and the other planets.   Whereas, in sidereal (star-based) Vedic astrology, the planetary  placements are closely aligned with the actual positions of the  constellations in the sky as they are at the present time.  So, if you  look up at the sky during the first week of August, you will find that  the Sun is placed in the constellation of Cancer, not Leo.   The  sidereal zodiac is the zodiac that astronomers consider to be accurate  for planetary positions, not the tropical zodiac.

    What causes  this difference between the two zodiacs?  As the Earth spins on its  axis, this causes the Earth to wobble unevenly.  This creates an  astronomical phenomenon known as the “precession of the Earth’s  equinox.”  The Earth’s precession causes the first day of spring to  occur approximately 50 seconds back from its previous point, every  year.  Keep in mind that there are 30 degrees per zodiac sign and 60  seconds = 1 degree.  Therefore, over the course of time, the difference  between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs has grown farther apart.  In  285 A.D., the first degree of Aries and the first day of spring were in  perfect correspondence.  Since that year, however, the effect of  precession has been in effect causing this disparity.   In the tropical  zodiac, this disparity of the precession of the equinox is not taken  into account.   So, each year, this  difference between the two zodiacs  grows wider by approximately 50 seconds.

    Ayanamsha  (Measurement describing the difference between the sidereal and tropical  zodiacs):  this is a measure of the difference in degrees and seconds  between the two zodiacs.  There are several different ayanamshas in use  by astrologers today which place this mathematical difference between 22  and 25 degrees.  The most commonly used ayanamsha is known as Lahiri  and it is also sanctioned by the government of India.  In my chart  calculations, I have found the Lahiri ayanamsha to be perfectly  accurate.   When calculating the planetary positions, the exact month  and year of birth will determine the ayanamsha value.   

    As of January 1, 2008, the Lahiri ayanamsha was measured at: 23º 58’.
If  a person were born on January 1, 2008, this exact number would be  subtracted from the tropical placement of the planets in that given  birth chart.   Keep in mind that all planets in the Vedic chart are  calculated on the sidereal zodiac. So, most of the planets in the Vedic  chart go back 23 – 24 degrees from their tropical positions.  For this  reason, if you compare the western chart with a Vedic chart for the same  individual, the planets will often be in different zodiac signs (going  back by one sign).

(b)  Chart Interpretation Difference:
 

     Vedic astrology utilizes a completely different set of rules and  guidelines when interpreting the astrological chart as compared to  tropical astrology.  Planets aspect differently, planetary rulerships  take on different significance based on the particular houses they rule,  and planets can take on benefic or malefic qualities based on the  Ascendant or Lagna of the chart.  Houses also take on some different  meanings.   In addition, the application of planetary yogas (planets in  various combinations) takes on unique significance in Vedic astrology.   There are thousands of these planetary yogas, which offer important  information and some of these yogas may overrule and influence the chart  beyond other chart factors.  

    Another important difference  lies in the use of several Ascendant points within the same chart.  The  Ascendant is termed, “Lagna,” (refers to the beginning of the 1st house)  and there are several lagnas in the Vedic chart.  The Vedic astrologer  examines the chart from multiple viewpoints and checks for confluence  among several factors before proclaiming a particular prediction.  These  different lagnas include: the Moon (“Chandra lagna”), the Sun (“Surya  lagna), Arudha lagna, Indu lagna, etc.  In each of these instances, the  first house is oriented based on the natal position of the Moon, Sun,  Arudha point, etc.  At a minimum, the chart should be examined from the  main birth lagna, Chandra lagna and Surya lagna.  

(c)  The incorporation of Nakshatras:

     Vedic astrology employs a completely unique view of the  constellations.  Rather than interpret only 12 zodiac signs, this system  incorporates 27 constellations contained within the 12 zodiac signs.   Each of these 27 segments is termed a nakshatra, which consists of one  13o 20’ portion of a sign.   The nakshatras are also known as a lunar  mansions.   Hence each day, as the Moon moves through the zodiac, it  moves through a different nakshatra.   Each nakshatra has important  meaning, symbolism, energetics (shakti), associations, a particular  diety, planetary ruler and stories/history associated with it.  Every  planet resides within a nakshatra, similar to each planet residing in a  particular zodiac sign or constellation.  The nakshatra position of a  planet provides certain qualities and details which color the behavior  of that planet in a particular astrological chart.  Incorporating these  nakshatras in the chart analysis, enhances the Vedic astrologer’s  ability to offer precise, detailed predictions.

 (d)  The planetary periods (Vimshottari Mahadasa) for prediction:

     Vedic astrology  uniquely  incorporates a highly accurate system of  predicting an individual’s salient life trends and life cycles known as  “mahadasha or dasha/bhukti”  (major and minor) planetary periods.  Each  major and minor life cycle corresponds to a particular area of focus  within each stage of life, and is determined directly from a person’s  particular date and time of birth.  The Moon’s position in the chart  determines which planetary mahadasha cycle begins at birth.   Throughout  the lifetime, every individual is always under the influence of a  mahadasha cycle, corresponding to a particular planet that is  activated.  The actual experience of that cycle is determined by the  status of that “dasha” planet in the natal chart.  There are over forty  different mahadasa systems that the Vedic astrologer may analyze.  The  majority of Vedic astrologers follow the “Vimshottari Mahadasha” system  advocated by Parashara and it is known to be highly accurate for  predicting events.  

    In my practice, Vimshottari mahadasha is  used primarily for prediction.  I also incorporate Chara and Yogini  dasha systems under certain circumstances.  The transiting planets play a  major role in timing the anticipated events previously identified from  the Vimshottari mahadasha/bhukti periods in force.  Also, there are  “third level” sub-sub-periods known as pratyantara periods which help to  time the event more precisely and within a shorter time frame.  The  combined influences of Vimshottari mahadasa/bhukti/pratyantara periods  in force and the transiting planets directly influencing these cyclic  planets, yields a powerful predictive process for timing and predicting  important life events.

    Understanding your planetary (dasha)  cycles will help you prepare for future situations and phases of your  life.  Difficult periods may be examined from a broader perspective, as  lessons to be mastered.  Opportunities are highlighted based on the  particular planetary cycles in force. 

    Awareness of these  planetary cycles assists a person to optimize inherent talents and  abilities and to specifically direct efforts toward reaching particular  goals at the most auspicious time.