Jyotiṣa

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Jyotiṣa (Devanagari: ज्योतिष, Sanskrit: jyotiṣa, from jyótis-, 'light, heavenly body', English: Jyotish, Jyotisha) is the Hindu system of astrology. Jyotisha is also known as Indian astrology, Hindu astrology, and Vedic astrology.[1]

Contents

[edit] Introduction

Jyotisha is the study of the planets, the stars, and the horizon. 'Jyoti' means 'light' that shines down from the heavens as the divine principle of life, and the suffix 'sh' means 'best, wisest'; therefore, the word 'Jyotisha' can be translated as 'the science of light', or 'the wisdom of the heavens'.[2]

Each time a soul reincarnates, consciousness is brought into that lifetime. By observing the movements of the celestial bodies through time and space, the wisdom of the heavens can be applied to each incarnation to encourage the soul to develop to its fullest potential.[3]

[edit] Vedanga

Vedanga (Sanskrit: vedāṅga, from Veda, 'scripture', and anga, 'limb'.) Vedic astrology is called vedanga, the limbs that are designed to assist the body in time and space, and to assist in the interpretation of the Vedas. Vedic astrology is the understanding of time and its relationship with human life. There are six vedangas.[4]

[edit] Elements

[edit] Vargas - the divisional charts

Main article: Varga (astrology)

Varga (Sanskrit: varga, 'part, division'.) There are sixteen varga, or divisional, charts used in Jyotisha:[5]

Varga Divisor Chart
Rasi (natal) 1 D-1
Hora 2 D-2
Drekkana 3 D-3
Chaturtamsha 4 D-4
Trimshamsha 5 D-5
Saptamsha 7 D-7
Navamsha 9 D-9
Dashamsha 10 D-10
Dwadashamsha 12 D-12
Shodhashamsha 16 D-16
Vimshamsha 20 D-20
Chaturvimsha 24 D-24
Saptavimshamsha 27 D-27
Khavedamsha 40 D-40
Akshavedamsha 45 D-45
Shastiamsha 60 D-60

[edit] Chart styles

There are two chart styles used in Jyotisha:

North Indian
South Indian

[edit] Grahas – the planets

Main article: Navagraha

Graha (Devanagari: ग्रह, Sanskrit: gráha, 'seizing, laying hold of, holding'.)[6]

Nine grahas, or navagrahas, are used in Jyotisha:[7]

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:[8]

Graha Exaltation Mooltrikona Debilitation Sign Rulership
Sun 10° Aries 4°-20° Leo 10° Libra Leo
Moon 3° Taurus 4°-20° Taurus 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:[9]

Graha Friends Neutral Enemies
Sun Moon, Mars, Jupiter Mercury Venus, Saturn
Moon Sun, Mercury Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn No enemies
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, Sun Mars Sun, Moon, Jupiter

[edit] Rāshis – the zodiac signs

Rāshi (Sanskrit: rāshi, '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.[10]

Number Sanskrit Name Western/Greek Name Tattva (Element) Quality Ruling Planet
1 Meṣa "ram" Aries (Κριός "ram") Tejas (Fire) Cara (Movable) Mars
2 Vṛṣabha "bull" Taurus (Ταύρος "bull") Prithivi (Earth) Sthira (Fixed) Venus
3 Mithuna "twins" Gemini (Δίδυμοι "twins") Vayu (Air) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Mercury
4 Karka "crab" Cancer (Καρκίνος "crab") Jala (Water) Cara (Movable) Moon
5 Siṃha "lion" Leo (Λέων "lion") Tejas (Fire) Sthira (Fixed) Sun
6 Kanyā "girl" Virgo (Παρθένος "virgin") Prithivi (Earth) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Mercury
7 Tula "balance" Libra (Ζυγός "balance") Vayu (Air) Cara (Movable) Venus
8 Vṛścika "scorpion" Scorpio (Σκoρπιός "scorpion") Jala (Water) Sthira (Fixed) Mars
9 Dhanus "bow" Sagittarius (Τοξότης "archer") Tejas (Fire) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Jupiter
10 Makara "sea-monster" Capricorn (Αἰγόκερως "goat-horned") Prithivi (Earth) Cara (Movable) Saturn
11 Kumbha "pitcher" Aquarius (Ὑδροχόος "water-pourer") Vayu (Air) Sthira (Fixed) Saturn
12 Mīna "fish" Pisces (Ἰχθείς "fish") Jala (Water) Dvisvabhava (Dual) Jupiter

The zodiac signs in Jyotisha correspond to parts of the body:[11]

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
Meena (Pisces) feet

[edit] Bhāvas – the houses

Main article: Bhāva

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.[12]

House Name Karakas Meanings
1 Lagna Sun destiny, physique, skeleton, hair, appearance, head, brains
2 Dhana Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Moon wealth, family relationships, speech, eyesight, death
3 Sahaja Mars mind, communication, environment, siblings, short journeys
4 Sukha Moon inner life, emotions, home, past life karma, mother
5 Putra Jupiter, Mercury creativity, children, spiritual practices
6 Ari Mars, Saturn illness, injury, enemies, litigation, daily work, foreigners, service
7 Yuvati Venus, Jupiter business and personal relationships, marriage, spouse
8 Randhara Saturn length of life, physical death, serious illness, spiritual quest
9 Dharma Jupiter, Sun luck, fortune, spirituality, dharma, guru, father, soul
10 Karma Mercury, Jupiter, Sun, Saturn dream fulfillment, current karmas, career, past lives
11 Labha Jupiter gains, profits from work, ability to earn money
12 Vyaya Saturn, Ketu, Rahu loss, intuition, sorrow, imprisonment, foreign travel, moksha

[edit] Nakshatras – the lunar mansions

Main article: Nakshatra

Nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र, Sanskrit: nakshatra, 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.[13]

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 (अश्विनि) 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 (श्रविष्ठा) 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

[edit] Dashas - the planetary periods

Main article: Dasha (astrology)

Dasha (Devanagari: दशा, Sanskrit,daśā, 'planetary period'.) The dasha pattern 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 dasha is determined by the position of the natal Moon. Vimshottari dasha lengths are:[14]

Dasha Length
Ketu 7 Years
Venus 20 Years
Sun 6 Years
Moon 10 Years
Mars 7 Years
Rahu 18 Years
Jupiter 16 Years
Saturn 19 Years
Mercury 17 Years

[edit] Drishtis - the planetary aspects

Drishti (Sanskrit: drishti, 'sight'.) In Jyotisha, the aspect is to an entire sign, and grahas only cast forward aspects:[15]

Graha Houses
Sun 7th
Moon 7th
Mercury 7th
Venus 7th
Mars 4th, 7th, 8th
Jupiter 5th, 7th, 9th
Saturn 3rd, 7th, 10th
Rahu and Ketu 5th, 7th, 9th

[edit] Gocharas - the transits

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 the grahas have continued to move around the zodiac, interacting with the natal chart grahas. This period of interaction is called gochara.[16]

[edit] Yogas - the planetary combinations

Yoga (Sanskrit: yoga, 'union'.) In Jyotisha, yogas are planetary combinations placed in specific relationships to each other.[17]

[edit] Dik bala - the directional strength

Dik bala (Sanskrit: dik bala, 'directional strength'.) Grahas gain strength when they are placed in specific cardinal houses:[18]

House Grahas Direction
1st Jupiter, Mercury East
4th Venus, Moon North
7th Saturn West
10th Sun, Mars South

[edit] Horoscopy

[edit] Lagna – the ascendant

Main article: Lagna

Lagna (Sanskrit: lagna, 'ascendant'.) Lagna is the first moment of contact between the soul and its new life on earth in Jyotisha.[19]

[edit] Atmakaraka - the soul significator

Main article: Atmakaraka

Atmakaraka (Sanskrit: atmakaraka, from atma, 'soul', and karaka, 'significator' .) Atmakaraka is the significator of the soul's desire in Jyotisha.[20]

[edit] Gandanta - the karmic knot

Main article: Gandanta

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.[21]

[edit] Ayanamsa - the zodiac conversion

Main article: Ayanamsa

Ayanamsa (Sanskrit: ayanāṃsa , from ayana, 'movement', and aṃsa, 'component') is the longitudinal difference between the Tropical (Sayana) and Sidereal (Nirayana) zodiacs in Jyotisha.[22]

[edit] Moudhya - the combustion

Moudhya (Sanskrit: moudhya, 'combustion') is a planet that is in conjunction with the Sun. The degrees the the planets are considered combust are:[23]

Graha Degree
Moon 12
Mercury 13
Venus 9
Mars 17
Jupiter 11
Saturn 15

[edit] Sade sati - the critical transit

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.[24]

[edit] Panchangam

Main article: Panchangam

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.[25]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.1.
  2. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.1-3.
  3. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.1-3.
  4. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.9.
  5. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.61-64.
  6. ^ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
  7. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.38-51.
  8. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.21.
  9. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.21.
  10. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.74.
  11. ^ Charak, Dr. K.S. (1996). Essentials of Medical Astrology, Uma Publications, pp.5-6.
  12. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.93-167.
  13. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.168.
  14. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.211.
  15. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.26-27.
  16. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.227.
  17. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.265.
  18. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.25-26.
  19. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.96.
  20. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.326.
  21. ^ Sutton, Komilla (2007). Personal Panchanga and the Five Sources of Light, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, pp.61-64.
  22. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.11.
  23. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.33.
  24. ^ Sutton, Komilla (1999). The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.231-232.
  25. ^ Sutton, Komilla (2007). Personal Panchanga and the Five Sources of Light, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, England, p.1.

[edit] Bibliography

Further information: Jyotiṣa bibliography
Encyclopedic treatments
Academic literature
  • David Pingree, "Astronomy and Astrology in India and Iran", Isis - Journal of The History of Science Society (1963), 229-246.
  • David Pingree, Jyotiḥśāstra in J. Gonda (ed.) A History of Indian Literature, Vol VI, Fasc 4, Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden (1981).
  • Ebenezer Burgess, "On the Origin of the Lunar Division of the Zodiac represented in the Nakshatra System of the Hindus", Journal of the American Oriental Society (1866).
  • William D. Whitney, "On the Views of Biot and Weber Respecting the Relations of the Hindu and Chinese Systems of Asterisms"", Journal of the American Oriental Society (1866).
  • Satish Chandra, "Religion and State in India and Search for Rationality", Social Scientist (2002).
Popular introductions
  • James Braha, Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologer, 1986, Hermetican Press, N. Miami, FL, USA.
  • Ronnie Gale Dreyer, Vedic Astrology: A Guide to the Fundamentals of Jyotish. 1997, Samual Weiser, York Beach, ME. ISBN 0-87728-889-5
  • Hart de Fouw and Robert Svoboda, Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India. 1996, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, ISBN 0-940985-69-1 .
  • V.K. Choudhry, Systems´ Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes, Fourth Revised Edition, 2006, Sagar Publications, New Delhi, India, ISBN 81-7082-017-0.
  • Komilla Sutton,The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Wessex Astrologer Ltd, Bournemouth, England, 1999.
  • Richard Houck, Digital Astrology, Groundswell Press (1998) ISBN 0964161273. [An excellent overview of the complicated and fascinating topic of ashtakavarga, the relative strength of each of the houses of the chart.]
  • Richard Houck, Hindu Astrology Lessons, 1997, Groundswell Press, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
  • Prash Trivedi, 27 Celestial Portals, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, ISBN 0-940985-84-5 .
  • David Harness, Nakshatras: The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, ISBN 0-914955-83-7 .
  • Sanjay Rath, Introduction to Vedic Astrology[year needed] .
  • David Frawley [Vamadeva Shastri], Astrology of the Seers: A Guide to Vedic/Hindu Astrology. 2000, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, WI. ISBN 0-914953-89-6
  • Prash Trivedi, Key of Life: Astrology of the Lunar Nodes, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, ISBN 0-940985-33-0 .
  • C.L. Diwan, Discovery of Astrology,1994, Amar Jyoti Press, Jhansi, UP, India.
  • "Hindu Electional Astrology", [A compendium on Vedic system of electional astrology by V K Shridhar] [2]ISBN 81-901413-0-9 .

[edit] See also

Astrology portal

[edit] External links

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