Astronomy/Astrology from Hindu Dharma

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Astronomy and Astrology from Hindu Dharma

Astronomy examines the position of the planets and other heavenly bodies. It

does not concern itself with how they affect the life of the world or the

individual. It is not its function to find out how far the celestial bodies are

beneficial to us or how they may be made favourable to us. Such functions belong

to astrology. Jyotisa includes both astronomy and astrology.

Telling us about the results of performing a ritual at a given time, keeping in

mind the position of the planets, the sun and the moon and the naksatras ,

comes under the purview of astrology. The hours favourable to the performance

of Vedic rites are determined according to calculations based on the movement

of planets. All this entails mathematical work.

The measurements of the place where a sacrifice is to be conducted (yajnabhumi)

are based on certain stipulations. These must be strictly adhered to if the

sacrifices is to yield the desired benefits. Mathematics developed in this way

as a handmaid to the Vedic dharma.