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Jyotiṣa (Sanskrit jyotiṣa (Devanagari ज्योतिष), from jyótis- "light, heavenly body": also anglicized Jyotish and Jyotisha) is the Hindu system of astrology (also known as Indian astrology, Hindu astrology, and of late, Vedic astrology). Traditionally, it has three branches:[1] actually the word jyotish which belongs to the Vedangas. There are six Vedangas: Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (rituals), Vyakarana (grammar), Jyotishya (astronomy), Nirukta (etymology) and Chhandas (metrics). These are mentioned in the Upanishads. Nirukta has explained as dhyotiti yat tat jyotihi jyotisham i.e. which enlightens us that type of a flame a Jyoti that is Jyotish.
Branch | English | Definition |
---|---|---|
Siddhanta | traditional Indian astronomy. | |
Samhita | predicting important events based on analysis of astrological dynamics in a country's horoscope or general transit events such as war, earthquakes, political events, financial positions, electional astrology; house and construction related matters (Vāstu Shāstra), animals, portents, omens etc. | |
Medini Jyotisha | mundane astrology | |
Hora | Predictive astrology based on analysis of natal horoscopes and the moment a query is made. |
The latter two are part of predictive astrology (Phalita). Conceptually, therefore, Indian astrology has two branches, Ganita (Siddhanta) and Phalita (Samhita plus Hora).
The foundation of Jyotisha is the notion of bandhu of the Vedas or scriptures, which is the connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. The practice of Jyotisha primarily relies on the 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. Jyotisha includes several nuanced sub-systems of interpretation and prediction with elements not found in Hellenistic astrology, such as its system of lunar mansions (nakshatras).
Astrology remains an important facet in the lives of many Hindus. 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, such as in making decisions made about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home. To some extent, astrology even retains a position among the sciences of modern India.[2] Following a controversial judgement of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2001, some Indian universities even offer advanced degrees in astrology.[3]
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The term jyotiṣa in the sense of one of the Vedanga, the six auxiliary disciplines of Vedic religion, is used in the Mundaka Upanishad and thus likely dates to Mauryan times. The Vedanga Jyotisha redacted by Lagadha dates to the Mauryan period, with rules for tracking the motions of the Sun and the Moon.
The documented history of Jyotishas {see http://www.astrowebindia.com/visit/OLD1.html} begins with the interaction of Indian and Hellenistic cultures in the Indo-Greek period. The oldest surviving treatises, such as the Yavanajataka or the Brihat-Samhita, date to the early centuries CE. The oldest astrological treatise in Sanskrit is the Yavanajataka ("Sayings of the Greeks"), a versification by Sphujidhvaja in 269/270 CE of a now lost translation of a Greek treatise by Yavanesvara during the 2nd century CE under the patronage of the Western Satrap Saka king Rudradaman I.[4]
The first named authors writing treatises on astronomy are from the 5th century CE, the date when the classical period of Indian astronomy can be said to begin. Besides the theories of Aryabhata in the Aryabhatiya and the lost Arya-siddhānta, there is the Pancha-Siddhāntika of Varahamihira.
The main texts upon which classical Indian astrology is based are early medieval compilations, notably the Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra, and Sārāvalī by Kalyāṇavarman. The Horashastra is a composite work of 71 chapters, of which the first part (chapters 1-51) dates to the 7th to early 8th centuries and the second part (chapters 52-71) to the later 8th century. The Sārāvalī likewise dates to around 800 CE.[5] English translations of these texts were published by N.N. Krishna Rau and V.B. Choudhari in 1963 and 1961, respectively.
Historically, the study of astrology in India was an important factor in the development of astronomy in the Early Middle Ages.
There are sixteen varga (Sanskrit: varga, 'part, division'), or divisional, charts used in Jyotisha:[6]
Varga | Divisor | Chart | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
Rasi | 1 | D-1 | Natal chart |
Hora | 2 | D-2 | Overall wealth |
Drekkana | 3 | D-3 | Siblings |
Chaturtamsha | 4 | D-4 | Properties |
Trimshamsha | 5 | D-5 | Morals, ethics, spiritual values |
Saptamsha | 7 | D-7 | Children |
Navamsha | 9 | D-9 | Spouse, Etc. |
Dashamsha | 10 | D-10 | Earning Career |
Dwadashamsha | 12 | D-12 | Parents, Grandparents |
Shodhashamsha | 16 | D-16 | Vehicles |
Vimshamsha | 20 | D-20 | Upasana-s, Sādhana-s |
Chaturvimsha | 24 | D-24 | Education (higher) |
Saptavimshamsha | 27 | D-27 | Vitality |
Khavedamsha | 40 | D-40 | Quality of life |
Akshavedamsha | 45 | D-45 | (From here on out,the birth time must be absolutely precise or the divisional chart is incorrect!!) |
Shastiamsha | 60 | D-60 | Used to differentiate between twins, etc., etc. |
There are two chart styles used in Jyotiṣa:
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Graha (Devanagari: ग्रह, Sanskrit: graha, 'seizing, laying hold of, holding'.)[7]
Nine grahas, or navagrahas, are used in Jyotisha:[8]
Sanskrit Name | English Name | Abbreviation | Gender | Guna |
---|---|---|---|---|
Surya (सूर्य) | Sun | Sy or Su | M | Sattva |
Chandra (चंद्र) | Moon | Ch or Mo | F | Sattva |
Mangala (मंगल) | Mars | Ma | M | Tamas |
Budha (बुध) | Mercury | Bu or Me | N | Rajas |
Brihaspati (बृहस्पति) | Jupiter | Gu or Ju | M | Sattva |
Shukra (शुक्र) | Venus | Sk or Ve | F | Rajas |
Shani (शनि) | Saturn | Sa | M | Tamas |
Rahu (राहु) | North Lunar Node | Ra | M | Tamas |
Ketu (केतु) | South Lunar Node | Ke | M | Tamas |
Planets in maximum exaltation, mooltrikona (own sign), and debilitation, are:[9]
Graha | Exaltation | Mooltrikona | Debilitation | Sign Rulership |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sun | 10° Aries | 4°-20° Leo | 10° Libra | Leo |
Moon | 3° Taurus | 4°-20° Cancer | 3° Scorpio | Cancer |
Mars | 28° Capricorn | 0°-12° Aries | 28° Cancer | Aries, Scorpio |
Mercury | 15° Virgo | 16°-20° Virgo | 15° Pisces | Gemini, Virgo |
Jupiter | 5° Cancer | 0°-10° Sagittarius | 5° Capricorn | Sagittarius, Pisces |
Venus | 27° Pisces | 0°-15° Libra | 27° Virgo | Taurus, Libra |
Saturn | 20° Libra | 0°-20° Aquarius | 20° Aries | Capricorn, Aquarius |
Rahu and Ketu are exalted in Taurus/Scorpio and debilitated in Scorpio/Taurus respectively. They are also exalted in Gemini and Virgo.
The natural planetary relationships are:[10]
Graha | Friends | Neutral | Enemies |
---|---|---|---|
Sun | Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Mercury | Venus, Saturn |
Moon | Sun, Mercury | Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn | Mercury, Venus, Saturn |
Mars | Sun, Moon, Jupiter | Venus, Saturn | Mercury |
Mercury | Sun, Venus | Mars, Jupiter, Saturn | Moon |
Jupiter | Sun, Moon, Mars | Saturn | Mercury, Venus |
Venus | Mercury, Saturn | Mars, Jupiter | Sun, Moon |
Saturn | Venus, Mercury | Jupiter | Sun, Moon, Mars |
Rahu, Ketu | Mercury, Venus, Saturn | Mars | Sun, Moon, Jupiter |
Rāshi (Sanskrit: rāśi, 'part'.) In Jyotisha, the zodiac is called kalpurusha, the eternal time that has no beginning or end. In the Vedas, the ecliptic is referred to as the Sudarshan Chakra, the wheel in the hand of Lord Vishnu, the creator of the universe. The entire chakra is 360°, and is divided into 12 rāshis of 30° each, representing 12 constellations that are the zodiac signs. The progression through the zodiac signs represents the cosmic evolution of the soul. Jyotisha uses the sidereal zodiac.[11]
Number | Sanskrit Name | Western/Greek Name | Tattva (Element) | Quality | Ruling Planet |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Meṣa (मेष) "ram" | Aries (Κριός "ram") | Tejas (Fire) | Cara (Movable) | Mars |
2 | Vṛṣabha (वृषभ) "bull" | Taurus (Ταῦρος "bull") | Prithivi (Earth) | Sthira (Fixed) | Venus |
3 | Mithuna (मिथुन) "twins" | Gemini (Δίδυμοι "twins") | Vayu (Air) | Dvisvabhava (Dual) | Mercury |
4 | Karkaṭa (कर्कट) "crab" | Cancer (Καρκίνος "crab") | Jala (Water) | Cara (Movable) | Moon |
5 | Siṃha (सिंह) "lion" | Leo (Λέων "lion") | Tejas (Fire) | Sthira (Fixed) | Sun |
6 | Kanyā (कन्या) "girl" | Virgo (Παρθένος "virgin") | Prithivi (Earth) | Dvisvabhava (Dual) | Mercury |
7 | Tulā (तुला) "balance" | Libra (Ζυγός "balance") | Vayu (Air) | Cara (Movable) | Venus |
8 | Vṛścika (वृश्चिक) "scorpion" | Scorpio (Σκoρπιός "scorpion") | Jala (Water) | Sthira (Fixed) | Mars |
9 | Dhanus (धनुष) "bow" | Sagittarius (Τοξότης "archer") | Tejas (Fire) | Dvisvabhava (Dual) | Jupiter |
10 | Makara (मकर) "sea-monster" | Capricorn (Αἰγόκερως "goat-horned") | Prithivi (Earth) | Cara (Movable) | Saturn |
11 | Kumbha (कुम्भ) "pitcher" | Aquarius (Ὑδροχόος "water-pourer") | Vayu (Air) | Sthira (Fixed) | Saturn |
12 | Mīna (मीन) "fish" | Pisces (Ἰχθεῖς "fish") | Jala (Water) | Dvisvabhava (Dual) | Jupiter |
The zodiac signs in Jyotisha correspond to parts of the body:[12]
Sign | Part of Body |
---|---|
Mesha (Aries) | head |
Vrisha (Taurus) | mouth |
Mithuna (Gemini) | arms |
Karka (Cancer) | two sides |
Simha (Leo) | heart |
Kanya (Virgo) | digestive system |
Tula (Libra) | umbilical area |
Vrikchika (Scorpio) | generative organs |
Dhanu (Sagittarius) | thighs |
Makara (Capricorn) | knees |
Kumbha (Aquarius) | Lower part of legs |
Meena (Pisces) | feet |
Bhāva (Sanskrit: bhāva, 'division'.) In Jyotisha, the natal chart is the bhava chakra (Sanskrit: chakra, 'wheel'.) The bhava chakra is the complete 360° circle of life, divided into houses, and represents our way of enacting the influences in the wheel. Each house has associated karaka (Sanskrit: karaka, 'significator') planets that can alter the interpretation of a particular house.[13]
House | Name | Karakas | Meanings |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lagna | Sun | outer personality, physique, health/well-being, hair, appearance |
2 | Dhana | Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Moon | wealth, family relationships, eating habits, speech, eyesight, death |
3 | Sahaja | Mars | natural state, innate temperament, courage, valor, virility, younger siblings |
4 | Sukha | Moon | inner life, emotions, home, property education, mother |
5 | Putra | Jupiter | creativity, children, spiritual practices, punya |
6 | Ari | Mars, Saturn | acute illness, injury, openly known enemies, litigation, daily work, foreigners, service |
7 | Yuvati | Venus, Jupiter | business and personal relationships, marriage, spouse, war, fighting |
8 | Randhara | Saturn | length of life, physical death, mokṣa, chronic illness, deep and ancient traditions |
9 | Dharma | Jupiter, Sun | luck, fortune, spirituality, dharma, guru, father |
10 | Karma | Mercury, Jupiter, Sun, Saturn | dream fulfillment, knees and spine, current karmas, career, sky themes (being 12am/mid heavens |
11 | Labha | Jupiter | gains, profits from work, ability to earn money, social contexts and organizations |
12 | Vyaya | Saturn | loss, intuition, imprisonment, feet, foreign travel, moksha |
Nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र, Sanskrit: nakshatra, 'star', from naksha, 'approach', and tra, 'guard') or lunar mansion is one of the 27 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, used in Jyotisha.[14]
The 27 nakshatras cover 13°20’ of the ecliptic each. Each nakshatra is divided into quarters or padas of 3°20’:
# | Name | Location | Ruler | Pada 1 | Pada 2 | Pada 3 | Pada 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ashvinī (अश्विनी) | 0 - 13°20' Aries | Ketu | चु Chu | चे Che | चो Cho | ला La |
2 | Bharanī (भरणी) | 13°20' - 26°40' Aries | Venus | ली Li | लू Lu | ले Le | पो Lo |
3 | Krittikā (कृत्तिका) | 26°40' Aries - 10°00' Taurus | Sun | अ A | ई I | उ U | ए E |
4 | Rohini (रोहिणी) | 10°00' - 23°20' Taurus | Moon | ओ O | वा Va/Ba | वी Vi/Bi | वु Vu/Bu |
5 | Mrigashīrsha (म्रृगशीर्षा) | 23°20' Taurus - 6°40' Gemini | Mars | वे Ve/Be | वो Vo/Bo | का Ka | की Ke |
6 | Ārdrā (आर्द्रा) | 6°40' - 20°00' Gemini | Rahu | कु Ku | घ Gha | ङ Ng/Na | छ Chha |
7 | Punarvasu (पुनर्वसु) | 20°00' Gemini - 3°20' Cancer | Jupiter | के Ke | को Ko | हा Ha | ही Hi |
8 | Pushya (पुष्य) | 3°20' - 16°20' Cancer | Saturn | हु Hu | हे He | हो Ho | ड Da |
9 | Āshleshā (आश्लेषा) | 16°40' Cancer - 0°00' Leo | Mercury | डी Di | डू Du | डे De | डो Do |
10 | Maghā (मघा) | 0°00' - 13°20' Leo | Ketu | मा Ma | मी Mi | मू Mu | मे Me |
11 | Pūrva or Pūrva Phalgunī (पूर्व फाल्गुनी) | 13°20' - 26°40' Leo | Venus | नो Mo | टा Ta | टी Ti | टू Tu |
12 | Uttara or Uttara Phalgunī (उत्तर फाल्गुनी) | 26°40' Leo - 10°00' Virgo | Sun | टे Te | टो To | पा Pa | पी Pi |
13 | Hasta (हस्त) | 10°00' - 23°20' Virgo | Moon | पू Pu | ष Sha | ण Na | ठ Tha |
14 | Chitrā (चित्रा) | 23°20' Virgo - 6°40' Libra | Mars | पे Pe | पो Po | रा Ra | री Ri |
15 | Svātī (स्वाति) | 6°40' - 20°00 Libra | Rahu | रू Ru | रे Re | रो Ro | ता Ta |
16 | Vishākhā (विशाखा) | 20°00' Libra - 3°20' Scorpio | Jupiter | ती Ti | तू Tu | ते Te | तो To |
17 | Anurādhā (अनुराधा) | 3°20' - 16°40' Scorpio | Saturn | ना Na | नी Ni | नू Nu | ने Ne |
18 | Jyeshtha (ज्येष्ठा) | 16°40' Scorpio - 0°00' Sagittarius | Mercury | नो No | या Ya | यी Yi | यू Yu |
19 | Mūla (मूल) | 0°00' - 13°20' Sagittarius | Ketu | ये Ye | यो Yo | भा Bha | भी Bhi |
20 | Pūrva Ashādhā (पूर्वाषाढ़ा) | 13°20' - 26°40' Sagittarius | Venus | भू Bhu | धा Dha | फा Bha/Pha | ढा Dha |
21 | Uttara Ashādhā (उत्तराषाढ़ा) | 26°40' Sagittarius - 10°00' Capricorn | Sun | भे Bhe | भो Bho | जा Ja | जी Ji |
22 | Shravana (श्रवण) | 10°00' - 23°20' Capricorn | Moon | खी Ju/Khi | खू Je/Khu | खे Jo/Khe | खो Gha/Kho |
23 | Shravishthā (धनष्ठा) or Dhanistā | 23°20' Capricorn - 6°40' Aquarius | Mars | गा Ga | गी Gi | गु Gu | गे Ge |
24 | Shatabhishā (शतभिषा)or Shatataraka | 6°40' - 20°00' Aquarius | Rahu | गो Go | सा Sa | सी Si | सू Su |
25 | Pūrva Bhādrapadā (पूर्वभाद्रपदा) | 20°00' Aquarius - 3°20' Pisces | Jupiter | से Se | सो So | दा Da | दी Di |
26 | Uttara Bhādrapadā (उत्तरभाद्रपदा) | 3°20' - 16°40' Pisces | Saturn | दू Du | थ Tha | झ Jha | ञ Da/Tra |
27 | Revatī (रेवती) | 16°40' - 30°00' Pisces | Mercury | दे De | दो Do | च Cha | ची Chi |
Dasha (Devanagari: दशा, Sanskrit,daśā, 'planetary period'.) The dasha system shows which planets will be ruling at particular times in Jyotisha. There are several dasha systems; however, the primary system used by astrologers is the Vimshottari dasha system. The first maha dasha is determined by the position of the natal Moon. Each maha dasha is divided into subperiods called bhuktis. Vimshottari dasha lengths are:[15]
Maha Dasha | Length | Bhuktis |
---|---|---|
Ketu | 7 Years | Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury |
Venus | 20 Years | Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu |
Sun | 6 Years | Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus |
Moon | 10 Years | Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun |
Mars | 7 Years | Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon |
Rahu | 18 Years | Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars |
Jupiter | 16 Years | Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu |
Saturn | 19 Years | Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter |
Mercury | 17 Years | Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn |
Drishti (Sanskrit: drishti, 'sight'.) In Jyotisha, the aspect is to an entire sign, and grahas only cast forward aspects:[16]
Graha | Houses |
---|---|
Sun | 7th |
Moon | 7th |
Mercury | 7th |
Venus | 7th |
Mars | 4th, 7th, 8th |
Jupiter | 5th, 7th, 9th |
Saturn | 3rd, 7th, 11th |
Rahu | 5th,7th,9th |
Ketu | No aspect |
Gochara (Sanskrit: gochara, 'transit'.) In Jyotisha, a natal chart shows the actual positions of the grahas at the moment of birth. Since that moment, the grahas have continued to move around the zodiac, interacting with the natal chart grahas. This period of interaction is called gochara.[17]
Yoga (Sanskrit: yoga, 'union'.) In Jyotisha, yogas are planetary combinations placed in specific relationships to each other.[18]
Kalasarpa Yoga is a Dangerous yoga. if all planets (excepting Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) are 1-side of Rahu & Ketu, It Becames Kala-Sarpa Yoga.
Dig bala (Sanskrit: dig bala, 'directional strength'.) Graha-s gain strength when they are placed in specific cardinal houses:[19]
House | Grahas | Direction |
---|---|---|
1st | Jupiter, Mercury | East |
4th | Venus, Moon | North |
7th | Saturn | West |
10th | Sun, Mars | South |
Lagna (Sanskrit: lagna, 'ascendant'.) Lagna is the first moment of contact between the soul and its new life on earth in Jyotisha.[20]
Atmakaraka (Sanskrit: atmakaraka, from atma, 'soul', and karaka, 'significator' .) Atmakaraka is the significator of the soul's desire in Jyotisha.[21]
Gandanta (Sanskrit: gandanta, from gand, 'knot', and anta, 'end'.) Gandanta is a spiritual or karmic knot in Jyotisha. Gandanta describes the junction points in the natal chart where the solar and lunar zodiacs meet, and are directly associated with times of soul growth.[22]
Ayanamsa (Sanskrit: ayanāṃsa , from ayana, 'movement', and aṃsa, 'component') is the longitudinal difference between the Tropical (Sayana) and Sidereal (Nirayana) zodiacs.[23]
Moudhya (Sanskrit: moudhya, 'combustion') is a planet that is in conjunction with the Sun. The degrees the planets are considered combust are:[24]
Graha | Degree |
---|---|
Moon | 12 |
Mercury | 13 |
Venus | 9 |
Mars | 17 |
Jupiter | 11 |
Saturn | 15 |
Sadi sati, the transit of Saturn over the natal Moon, is the most important transit in a birth chart and takes approximately 7.5 years to complete. The transit begins when Saturn enters the house before the Moon, and ends when Saturn departs the house after the Moon. The most intense phase is when Saturn is 2-3° on either side of the Moon. The beginning of the transit will give an indication of the issues to be addressed. Sade sati results in a complete transformation, usually with a change in career or life direction.[25]
Panchangam (Sanskrit: pañcāṅgam, from panch, 'five' and anga, 'limbs'.) The panchangam is a Hindu astrological almanac that follows traditional Indian cosmology, and presents important astronomical data in tabulated form. Panchangam means five limbs, or five lights that influence every day.[26]
David Pingree notes that astrology and traditional medicine are the two traditional sciences that have survived best in modern India, although both have been much transformed by their western counterparts.[27]
A number of Indian universities currently offer advanced degrees in Jyotisha, including Benaras Hindu University.[28]
New approaches developed by Hindu astrologers in the modern epoch include the following:
In the early 2000s, under the Bharatiya Janata Party led government, astrology became a topic of political contention between the religious right and academic establishment, comparable to the "Creation science" debate in US education. The University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government decided to introduce "Jyotir Vigyan" (i.e. jyotir vijñāna) or "Vedic astrology" as a discipline of study in Indian universities, backed up by a decision by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, despite widespread protests from the scientific community in India and Indian scientists working abroad.[29] In September of the same year, the Supreme Court of India issued a notice to the Ministry of Human Resource Development in reaction to a petition, stating that the introduction of astrology to university curricula is "a giant leap backwards, undermining whatever scientific credibility the country has achieved so far".[30] In 2004, the Supreme Court dismissed a further petition, judging that the teaching of astrology does not qualify as promotion of religion.[31] In modern India
Charles Keyes, professor emeritus at the University of Washington and E. Valentine Daniel, professor of anthropology at Columbia University state that many Hindus believe that heavenly bodies, including the planets, have an influence throughout the life of a human being, and these planetary influences are the "fruit of karma." [32]
The Navagraha, planetary deities, are considered subordinate to Ishvara, i.e., the Supreme Being) and are believed by many to assist in the administration of justice.[33] Thus, these planets can influence earthly life.[34]
Such planetary influences are believed by many to be measurable using astrological methods including Jyotiṣa, the Hindu system of astrology.[35]