Vedic Astrology considers graha [ग्रह], rather than ‘planets’.
Planets, as we know, are those that revolve around the Sun.
The word “Planet” is derived from Greek word “planeta”, which refers to that which wanders or moves.
Planets are thus considered to be those celestial or astronomical bodies that orbit around the Sun.
Well, Sun is actually a Star…isn’t it.
And, don’t we still teach our children that the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West – only to tell them later that the Sun is stationary and Earth moves around it…Anyways!
According to Vishnu Purana:
अहोरात्र व्यवस्थाकारण भग्वान्रवि ...
the cause of day and night is the Sun God.....
नैवास्तमर्कस्य नोदया सर्वदा सतः।
उदयास्तमनाख्यं हि दर्शनादर्शनं रवेः॥
The Sun neither Sets, nor does it ever Rise,
The rising and the setting (of the Sun) is (in effect) due to it being seen or not seen.
The sages knew that the Sun only appears to move in the sky.
In Vedic texts, the term used is graha [ग्रह].
Graha means that which can ‘seize’ or ‘get hold of’ or ‘grasp’ – can cause grahṇa [ग्रह्ण].
As per BPHS {bṛhat parāśara horā śāṣtra - बृहत् पराशर होरा शाष्त्र}:
गच्छन्तो भानि गृह्णन्ति सततं ये तु ते ग्रहः
i.e. those which move through the zodiac, while getting hold of, are called ‘graha.
What does a graha grasp?
As the graha moves through the skies (as seen from the earth), it is seen to move over (appearing to get hold of) a particular constellation (nakshatra or lunar mansion) seen in the sky.
Grahas as per Vedic Astrology are: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.
As per BPHS:
अथ खेटा रविश्चन्द्रो मङ्गलश्च बुधस्तथा।
गुरुः शुक्रः शनी राहुः केतुश्चैते यथाक्रमम्॥
Remember, that ‘graha’ are being defined keeping in view their movement in the skies, across the zodiac consisting of constellations, as being observed from earth – i.e. a Geocentric View. The Earth, hence, doesn’t figure in the list of ‘graha’.
Thus, when you observe from earth, the Sun also “appears” to move in the sky across the zodiac, as does the Moon.
The Sun and The Moon, we know, do not fall into the definition of what we know as a ‘planet’, nor do Rahu and Ketu.
What are Rahu and Ketu then?
Rahu (North Node as per Western Astrology) and Ketu (South Node as per Western Astrology) are not physical bodies, but mathematical points on the zodiac, formed at the intersection of the orbit of the Moon and the apparent orbit of the Sun, as observed from the earth.
More about these later as the concept is related to Solar and Lunar Eclipse.
Monday, September 7, 2009
kuṁḍalī [कुंडली] – the horoscope - 1
kuṁḍalī [कुंडली] is the chart drawn that captures the position of the grahas [ग्रह] in the skies at a particular time.
- janma kuṁḍalī [जन्म-कुंडली] or the Natal Horoscope is the record or map of the ‘planetary’ positions in the zodiac at the time of one’s birth.
- praśna kuṁḍalī [प्रश्न कुंडली] is the map of ‘planetary’ positions in the zodiac at the time of asking a particular query.
Likewise, a kuṁḍalī or chart can also be drawn for various other purposes like finding
- muhūrta i.e. for fixing auspicious times for marriages, ceremonies, inaugurations etc.
- weather changes, natural calamities etc.
It is important to understand as to what constitutes a “planet” in Vedic Astrology.
Friday, September 4, 2009
JYOTISHA - the branches
Ancient jyotishAs classify jyotiṣa in a varying manner and into several divisions.
Reference to the classification or branches of jyotiṣa can also be found in “praśna mārga”.
| 3 skandha | 6 āṅga | Involves |
| gaṇita (गणित) | gola – गोल (Spherical Body) | Observational Astronomy |
|---|---|---|
| gaṇita – गणित (Mathematics) | Mathematical aspects of Astronomy and Astrology | |
| saṁhitā (संहिता) | nimitta - निमित्त or śakuna – शकुन (Omens) | Study of and Predictions based on omens and gestures |
horā (होरा) | jātaka – जातक (Natal Horoscopy) | Based on Planetary positions at time of birth |
| praśna – प्रश्न (Horary Astrology) | Based on (time of) question asked | |
| muhūrta – मुहूर्त (Electional Astrology) | Involves fixing auspicious timing for various events like marriage, inauguration etc. |
horā may also deal with part of nimitta.
siddhāṁta [सिद्धांत] refers to the mathematical and astronomical part.
Sages have also classified it as:
- Astronomy, Horoscopy and saṁhitāa OR
- gaṇita, horā and sakhā (mathematical aspects of astrology).
Astrology can also be classified into:
1) pramāṇa - प्रमाण (proof):
- includes gaṇita skandha and
- deals with Mathematical Aspects of Astrology
2) phala - फल (fruit/result):
- includes other 2 skandha and
- deals with Predictive Aspects of Astrology
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
jyotiṣa - as vedāṅga
jyotiṣa is one of the 6 vedāṅga.
vedāṅga = veda + āṅga (part) = parts of veda
jyotiṣa is the Eye of vedāṅga or vedacakṣu.
vedacakṣu = veda + cakṣu (eyes) = eyes of veda
The 6 vedāṅga are as follows:
| No: | vedāṅga | Refer to | Part |
| I. | śikṣā [शिक्षा] | Phonetics | Nose |
| II. | chanda [छन्द] | Metre | Feet |
| III. | vyākaraṇa [व्याकरण] | Grammar | Face |
| IV. | nirukta [निरुक्त] | Etymology | Ears |
| V. | jyotiṣa [ज्योतिष] | Astronomy and Astrology | Eyes |
| VI. | kalpa [कल्प] | Rituals | Hands |
jyotiṣa - The Word
jyotiṣa = jyoti (Light) + īśa (God)
Jyoti or Light is a prerequisite for Vision or Sight.
jyotiṣa = God’s Vision, i.e., What God Sees.
God is trikāladarśī.
trikāladarśī = tri (three) + kāla (time) + darśī (one who sees)
= One who can See the three kāla.
The 3 kāla are: Past, Present and Future.
God alone knows the Past, Present and Future;
jyotiṣas attempt to have a glimpse of it and make interpretations in their own ways.
P.S.: If you feel jyotiṣas are not good enough, make an attempt yourself
: you will learn that jyotiṣas are not God :-)
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