Contibution of Vishwamitra,Parasara,Varaha Mihira,Aryabhatta-Yuga

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Goel,

 

I have read your well written article " " A brief Introduction to Vedic

Astrology " with great interest and entusiasm. I very much appreciate

your valuable knowledge and insight into not only Hindu astrology but

also Hindu astronomy, etc.

 

Needless to mention, I may not agree with certain datings of

manuscripts, etc. However, you have produced a very useful compendium

which should be preserved and not getting lost among all the other

messages. I therefore suggest that you make a folder calling it

" Articles of G.K. Goel " and upload it into the files-section of this

Group.

 

Once again, thank you for sharing this knowledge.

 

Very friendly,

Finn Wandahl

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Finn Wandahl, Many thanks for your nice words. I am not a historian , frankly speaking I have no claim on correctness on Indian dating system. I read the scriptures as available in the market now a days and try to gather some knowledge which can be used for public good, I regularly write for Sri jagannath centre .I shall post these articles slowly to the benefit our group. You may upload my articles to file section ,if found of some utility to group. Regards,Finn Wandahl <finn.wandahl wrote: Dear Mr. Goel,I have read your well written article ""A brief Introduction to Vedic Astrology" with great interest and entusiasm. I very much appreciateyour valuable knowledge and insight into not only Hindu astrology butalso Hindu astronomy, etc. Needless to mention, I may not agree with certain datings ofmanuscripts, etc. However, you have produced a very useful compendiumwhich should be preserved and not getting lost among all the othermessages. I therefore suggest that you make a folder calling it"Articles of G.K. Goel" and upload it into the files-section of thisGroup.Once again, thank you for sharing this knowledge.Very friendly,Finn Wandahl G.K.GOELPh: 09350311433Add: L-409, SARITA VIHARNEW DELHI-110 076INDIA

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[Guest guest]

Dear Goel ji,

I second Finn ji in his suggestion -

==>

> However, you have produced a very useful compendium

> which should be preserved and not getting lost among all the other

> messages. I therefore suggest that you make a folder calling it

> " Articles of G.K. Goel " and upload it into the files-section of this

> Group.

<==

Thanks for sharing the knowledge and thanks to Finn ji for the

valuable suggestion.

Love,

Sreenadh

 

, " Finn Wandahl "

<finn.wandahl wrote:

>

> Dear Mr. Goel,

>

> I have read your well written article " " A brief Introduction to Vedic

> Astrology " with great interest and entusiasm. I very much appreciate

> your valuable knowledge and insight into not only Hindu astrology but

> also Hindu astronomy, etc.

>

> Needless to mention, I may not agree with certain datings of

> manuscripts, etc. However, you have produced a very useful compendium

> which should be preserved and not getting lost among all the other

> messages. I therefore suggest that you make a folder calling it

> " Articles of G.K. Goel " and upload it into the files-section of this

> Group.

>

> Once again, thank you for sharing this knowledge.

>

> Very friendly,

> Finn Wandahl

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Goel ji,

Yes, I will. But, first let us proceed with preserving this document

and making it available to anyone for reference. Therefore I have

created a folder in your name in the files section of the forum, and

uploaded your article in it. Feel free to update the folder with your

articles.

Love,

Sreenadh

 

, Gopal Goel

<gkgoel1937 wrote:

>

> Dear Sreenadh,

> I do agree that there has to point differences and agreements.

> WHEN ever you may find time please favour me with your critical

observations.this will go a long way to further improve the contents

of this write up.

> Regards,

>

> Sreenadh <sreesog wrote:

> Dear Goal ji,

> Thanks for the nice write-up. I agree with many points and disagree

> with many other mentioned. But truly appreciate the effort taken to

> present such a detailed document - which provides much valuable

> information about many things.

> Love,

> Sreenadh

>

> , " gkgoel1937 "

> <gkgoel1937@> wrote:

> >

> >

> > A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC ASTROLOGY

> >

> > G.K. Goel

> > Director of Astrology

> > Astro Science Research Organization

> >

> > Historical background

> > Existing records prove that astrology was a highly developed branch

> > of knowledge in India even as far back as 6000 BC. Manuscripts

> which

> > were written between 3000 BC and 1700 BC are still available, eg

> > Pitamha Siddhanta - a treatise on astrology that was authored about

> > 3000 BC.

> > The works of Parasara, who lived about 1800 BC, are also available

> > and referred to with great respect and honor. These works are the

> > backbone of the Indian system of astrology even today.

> >

> > Astrology – the Greatest Science

> >

> > The science of astrology is concerned with the observation of the

> > position of certain bodies and certain points in the heavens in

> > relation to the Earth, and with the correspondences between these

> > relative positions and the Earth. Some modern scientists assert

> that

> > astronomy is the science of the stars, but such a statement is only

> > partially correct. Astronomy is, and always was, only a part of

> > astrology. It was used only as a means to an end.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Some scientists doubt if astrology is a science. Funk & Wagnall's

> > Standard Dictionary gives the following definition of science:

> >

> > " A knowledge of facts, laws and proximate causes, gained and

> > verified by exact observation and correct thinking - else the

> > universal knowledge - an exact and systematic statement or

> > classification of knowledge connecting some subject or group of

> > subjects or any department of knowledge in which the results of

> > investigation have been systematized. "

> >

> > If this is a correct definition of science, then indeed astrology

> is

> > the greatest of all sciences, since its percepts and formation are

> > based on actual and systematic records of observations made by men

> > of repute since at least 6000 B.C. The ancient rishis, no doubt,

> > were adepts at synthesis. Astrology is indeed a synthesis of all

> > branches of knowledge. The whole of mankind is deeply indebted for

> > the knowledge and the path shown by these ancient rishis. The

> > present and the coming generations carry the responsibility to

> > further enrich and develop the knowledge of this great science of

> > astrology.

> >

> > Ancient Astronomy

> >

> > The Vedic rishis had observed that there is a mathematical point in

> > the northern direction in the sky, around which all the stars seem

> > to rotate. This is called Dhruva (Pole). This polar point itself

> > moves very slowly amongst the stars. Whenever a star is near the

> > polar point, that star is designated the Pole Star. According to

> > Yacobi, star & #61537; Draconis was very near to Dhruva about 2780

> BC. This

> > star was so near to the polar point 250 years before and after this

> > year that it was called the Pole Star during that period. Maharishi

> > Garg and the other rishis of his Era observed that the slow motion

> > of the polar point in the sky is directly linked to the precession

> > of the Equinoxes.

> >

> > This phenomenon is vividly explained in the Samhita Granthas,

> > Puranas and other scriptures. I quote the following three slokas

> > from the Vishnu Purana, which was narrated by Maharishi Parasara to

> > Maitreya:

> >

> > Ansha 2, chapter 9, slokas 1, 2 and 3

> >

> > rkjke;a Hkxor% f'k'kqekjkÑfr izHkksA

> > fnfo :ia gjs;ZÙkq rL; iqPNs fLFkrks/zqo%AA2AA

> > lS " k Hkzeu~ Hkzke;fr pUnzkfnR;kfndku~ egku~A

> > HkzeUreuq ra ;kfUr u{k=kkf.k p pØor~AA2AA

> > lw;kZpUnzelkS rkjk u{k=kkf.k xzgS% lgA

> > okrkuhde;ScZU/S/zqZos c¼kfu rkfu oSAA3AA

> >

> > The above slokas convey the following information:

> >

> > " In the sky, God has placed himself amongst the stars, in the form

> > of the Shishumara Chakra, whose tail is placed in the Pole

> (Dhruva),

> > and body and head are placed in the Solar System. This motion of

> > Dhruva amongst the stars is connected with the motion of the Moon,

> > the Sun and the other planets. All the stars also seem to move

> > around Dhruva. The motion of the Sun, Moon and nakshatras along the

> > ecliptic causes the movement of the Dhruva among the stars and are

> > inter-dependent to each other, as if they are all interconnected by

> > fixed atmospheric strings. "

> > Parasara goes on to emphasize this further in slokas 24 and 25 of

> > the same chapter of the Vishnu Purana:

> >

> > vk/kj Hkwr% lforq/zZqoks eqfuojksÙkeA

> > /zqoL; f'k'kqekjks¿lkSlksvfi ukjk;.kkRed%AA25AA

> > gfn ukjk;.kLrL; f'k'kqekjL; lafLFkr%A

> > foHkrkZ loZ HkwrkukekfnHkwr% lukru%AA25AA

> > " The movement of the polar point depends upon the Solar System and

> > the Shishumara Chakra. This movement draws its stability and

> > sustenance from Narayana, whose abode is deep in the northern

> > direction above the polar point. "

> >

> > This concept is unique and correctly depicts the arrangement of the

> > Solar System. This concept was observed by the school of Maharishi

> > Garg much before 3000 BC. Gargacharya was the chief preceptor of

> the

> > Yadavas in the days of Lord Krishna, when the Vernal Equinox point

> > was in Rohini nakshatra. The above concept is not only referred to

> > in the Vishnu Purana, but also in the Brahmana Samhitas, other

> > Puranas and in the Mahabharata.

> >

> > Astronomically speaking therefore, Narayana is a concept analogous

> > to a big magnetic force deep in the northern direction above the

> > polar point. This holds the Solar System and the stars in their

> > respective positions. The Solar System is conceived of in the form

> > of Lord Vishnu who provides sustenance to all living beings on

> > Earth. The Brahmana Samhita Granthas and the Puranas are full of

> > more such lore which were recorded in the Vedic period since 6000

> > BC. This Vedic lore, recorded in the form of hymns, depicts what

> > occurred in the sky in vivid detail. As a matter of fact, these

> > hymns are true records of actual observations made by Vedic rishis

> > till 2000 BC.

> >

> > Rishi Vishwamitra (around 2400 BC) and Parasara (around 1800 BC)

> had

> > taken a quantum leap and brought about a conceptual change in

> > Astrology. In fact they had given a new dimension to the

> > astrological thought process, based of course on the vast feedback

> > available to them in the form of Vedic literature. Vishwamitra

> > provided the analytical data and Parasara conceptualized the same

> in

> > the form of dicta and basic principles.

> >

> > We also find a parallel occurrence in the modern history of

> > astronomy. After the invention of the telescope in the 16th century

> > AD, Tycho left behind vast astronomical data on the movement of the

> > planets and stars. Kepler analyzed this data and gave three laws of

> > planetary motion, which are valid even today. Newton gave three

> laws

> > of motion in 1666 AD conceptualizing the principles working behind

> > Kepler's laws. All these gave a new direction to the modern

> science

> > of astronomy.

> >

> > We will now summarize the unique achievements of Vishwamitra and

> > Parasara in the fields of astronomy and astrology respectively.

> >

> > The Era of Vishwamitra (24th Century BC)

> >

> > 1. Ingress of the Vernal Equinox into Krittika nakshatra

> >

> > Some authorities talk about three Vishwamitras who lived in three

> > different Eras.Here we will explore the achievements of the Rishi

> > Vishwamitra who lived in the 24th century BC. This can be proved

> > with the help of the following verse which indicates the

> > commencement of the Yudhishtra Era:

> >

> > izklu~ e?kklq euq;% 'kkflr i`fFkohe~ u`irkSA

> > " kM f}diap f};qr% 'kd dkyLr jkT;L;AA

> >

> > This verse says that the Saka Era commenced after a lapse of 2526

> > years from the commencement of the Yudhishtra Era. Thus we can draw

> > the simple conclusion that the Mahabharata Era was before 2448 BC

> > (ie 2526 years before78AD, the year of the commencement of the Saka

> > Era). Some authorities believe that the original Saka Era actually

> > commenced in 550 BC. This would push the commencement of the

> > Yudhishtra Era back to 3076 BC. In any case, the rishi Vishwamitra,

> > to whom we are referring, lived after the Mahabharata Era.

> >

> > I have quoted this verse to prove that the sage Vishwamitra and the

> > sage Parasara whose achievements I am discussing lived after the

> Era

> > of the Mahabharata. The sage Vishwamitra of the Era of Lord Rama

> and

> > the sage Parasara of Mahabharata fame were different rishis.

> >

> > The Astronomical hymn of Vishwamitra (RV III 9.9) reads as follows:

> > trini satä trï sahasräny agnim

> > trimsat ca devä navä casaparyan

> > tri saharäni, trini satä,

> > trimsat ca nava ca devä agnim asaparyan, i.e.

> > 3339 devas (dyus or tithis) worshipped Agni (Krittika = Alcyone 2)

> > by perambulation in the sky.

> >

> > Vishwamitra's astronomy thus contains the mystic number 3339 which

> > can be factorized as follows:

> > 3339 = 371 & #61620; & #61472;9= 53 & #61620; 7 & #61620; 9

> >

> > This is purely an astronomical hymn which refers to the worship of

> > Agni, the lord of the star Krittika, by perambulation in the sky.

> >

> > The hymn yields the following concepts when the full moons in

> > Krittika (Alcyone 2) are observed and studied continuously for 30

> > years:

> >

> > 2. The length of the year

> >

> > A solar year is made up of 371 lunar tithis to a first

> > approximation; a nine-year period is made up of 3339 tithis.

> >

> > In three years, there is one intercalary month. Vishwamitra

> > discovered that in 30 years, one extra intercalary month (in

> > addition to the usual 10) is needed.

> >

> > Hence 30 solar years

> > = 30 synodic years + 11 synodic months

> > = 30 X 360 tithis + 11 X 30 tithis

> > = 30 X 371 tithis

> >

> > Thus one solar year = 371 tithis

> > = 371 X 29.531/30 = 365.20 days

> >

> > The modern values are:

> > Mean length of a tropical year = 365.242190 days

> > Mean length of a sidereal year = 365.256363 days

> >

> > Vishwamitra's calculations are truly a wonderful achievement in so

> > remote a period! (We should also remember that the duration of the

> > rotation of the earth varies in different Eras and is not constant.)

> >

> > Since ancient times, man has observed that day comes after night

> and

> > night after day. Similarly, he has observed the phases of the Moon

> > and the yearly cycle of seasons. Vishwamitra's mystic number 3339

> > correlates beautifully all the three elements of time, i.e. tithi,

> > day and solar€rtfg4 year.

> >

> > 3. Eclipses – Cycle of Saros

> >

> > The plane of the Moon's orbit has an inclination of 5.15 degree to

> > that of the Earth's orbit. The two opposite points of intersection

> > of these orbits are called Rahu and Ketu. These nodes regress, and

> > in 6793.470 days (18.60 years) make a complete circle of the

> zodiac.

> > When a conjunction or opposition of the Sun and the Moon occurs

> near

> > either node, a solar or lunar eclipse occurs. Man has always been

> > very curious about the occurrence of the eclipses in all Eras.

> >

> > It is believed that the Chaldean astronomers discovered that

> > eclipses recur in a cycle of 18 tropical years, 11 days and 8

> hours,

> > a period within which four leap years are contained. If there are

> > five leap years, then it is one day shorter; and if there are

> three,

> > then it is one day longer. The Indian rishis discovered that the

> > corresponding cycle contained 223 synodic lunar months. This cycle

> > is more appropriate and meaningful because the eclipses can take

> > place only at the full or new moons. The Indian law is, therefore,

> > integrally rigorous.

> >

> > Now, 3339 tithis = 111 synodic months plus 9 tithis.

> >

> > If the above period is multiplied by two, the figure will come to

> > 222 synodic months plus 18 tithis. This is only 12 tithis shorter

> > than the Saros cycle of 223 synodic months. Thus, astronomers could

> > predict the eclipse at the next full or new moon after the period

> > arrived at by using the mystic number 3339. This establishes that

> > the Vishwamitra School knew about the cycle of eclipses.

> >

> > 4. Vishwamitra Yuga (Exeligmos)

> >

> > The period of 3339 synodic years equals 3240 solar years (3339

> & #61620; 360

> > & #61624;371). Actually one third the period i.e. 1080 solar years,

> was

> > extensively used and applied in determining Eras in India up to the

> > 5th century AD. (The period of 1080 solar years will include all

> > intercalary tithis in full number to first approximation. 1080

> solar

> > years will contain 1113 synodic years.)

> >

> > From this initial period of 1080 years they evolved the concept of

> a

> > Chaturyuga of 4320 years (1080 & #61620; 4). From this, Aryabhatta

> derived

> > the concept of 4 320 000 years as comprising a Cosmic Yuga for

> > higher accuracy. (This is called one day of the creator, Brahma.)

> > And Brahmagupta conceived of 4 320 000 000 years for still higher

> > accuracy.

> >

> > Some authorities believe that the value of the Cosmic Yuga

> > mentioned above is the LCM of the sidereal periods of all the seven

> > planets. It is not possible to verify such a claim mathematically

> > based on the astronomical data available at present.

> >

> > Vishwamitra's mystic number 3339 gives a better and a more

> > scientific explanation for the adoption, by different authorities,

> > of the time durations of the Yugas.

> >

> > I may mention that some astrologers recommend the use of the Savan

> > year of 360 days for the calculation of dasas and for other

> > predictive purposes. This is not correct. The solar year must be

> > used for dasa calculations as is clear from the discussions above.

> >

> > 5. Vernal Equinox - Vishwamitra, the architect of a new creation

> >

> > It is very obvious that even before 6000 BC, the Vedic rishis made

> > accurate observations of the sky. The phenomena observed by them

> are

> > recorded in Hindu scriptures. They had, therefore, evolved a method

> > to observe the precession of the equinoxes. This is the most (and

> > may well be the only) reliable method to fix the different Eras.

> >

> > The Aitareya Brahmana specifically mentions that it was Vishwamitra

> > who first saw the summer solstice in the nakshatra of Magha and

> also

> > the Vernal Equinox in the Krittikas. The word is `saw', which leads

> > us to believe that he first observed the phenomena and then, later,

> > composed the hymns. It was almost like the creation of a new

> > zodiacal order in the sky, and hence Vishwamitra was called

> > the `rival creator'.

> >

> > Vishwamitra also discovered that the rate of precession of the

> > equinoxes was one solar tithi (about one degree) in 72 solar years.

> > The long Vedic tradition of recording observations in the form of

> > hymns helped Vishwamitra to determine the rate of precession as

> > nearly 50.7 seconds per year against the present value of 50.3

> > seconds per year. (The rate of precession varies on account of

> > nutation and other such factors).

> >

> > As mathematical rasis (signs) and nakshatras were not in vogue upto

> > the Era of the Mahabharata, the nakshatras were recognized by their

> > Yogataras (or principal stars) which were seen within a group of

> > other stars surrounding each of them in a recognizable form or

> shape

> > in the sky. Krittika nakshatra is also recognized by the star

> > Krittika (Aclyone 2) whose longitude is about 360 8'. The value of

> > the Lahiri ayanamsa was

> > 230 53' 56 " .3 on 1.1. 2003. Thus the present tropical longitude of

> > the star Alcyone is 600 2.' Assuming that the mean rate of

> > precession is 50.3'' per year, Vishwamitra may have observed the

> > precession of the VE point in Krittika nakshatra before 2300 BC. It

> > is believed that the period when Vishwamitra made the above

> > observations was 2382-2352 BC, when his age was between 47-77 years.

> >

> > This also proves that the Vishwamitra who made these observations

> > lived after the Era of the Mahabharata war. (As explained above,

> the

> > Era of Yudhishtara was before 2448 BC. Some authorities even go as

> > early as 3076 BC.)

> >

> >

> >

> > Maharishi Parasara – the Father of Hindu Astrology (1850 BC)

> >

> > I refer here not to the Maharishi Parasara who lived in the Era of

> > the Mahabharata war and was the father of Maharishi Vyasa. This

> > Parasara and his son Vyasa lived before 2448 BC (or 3076 BC).

> >

> > I refer here to the Maharishi Parasara who narrated the Vishnu

> > Purana and the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra to Maitreya sometime

> > during the period between 1850 - 1650 BC. These dates are arrived

> at

> > from a specific reference given in the Vishnu Purana by the

> > Maharishi himself. So, as such, there should not be any doubt about

> > them. The Shrimad Bhagvata Mahapurana says that disciples and

> > followers of Vyasa authored 18 small and big Puranas and that the

> > Vishnu Purana was one of them (skandh 12, chapter 7, slokas 22 to

> > 25, Gita Press, Gorakhpur).

> >

> > Parasara made full use of the information available in the Vedas,

> > Samhitas and the Brahamna Granthas which were created by Vedic

> > rishis mainly during the period between 6000 and 2000 BC. He gave

> > new direction and meaning to astrology.

> >

> > I am giving below, in brief, the principles laid down by Parasara.

> > These principles were not in vogue till 2000 BC (at least no

> > written proof is available to prove it).

> >

> > 1. VE Point - The First Point of Tropical Aries

> >

> > Sage Parasara explains his theory to Maitreya in the Vishnu Purana,

> > second ansha, chapter 8, slokas 74 to 81. These slokas are quoted

> > below:

> >

> > ;% 'osrL;ksÙkj% 'kSy% J`îõ-okfufr foJqr%A

> > =khf.k rL; rqÜk`Äõkf.k ;Sj;a J`îõ-okULe`r%AA74AA

> > nf{k.ka pksÙkja pSo eè;a oS " kqora rFkkA

> > 'kj}lUr;kseZè;s r‰kuq% izfri|rsAA75AA

> >

> > es " kknkS p rqyknkS p eS=ks; fof " kqofRLFkr%A

> > rnk rqY;egksjk=ka djksfr frfijkig%AA76AA

> > n'ia×peqgwrZ oS rnsrnqHk;a Le`re~A

> > izFkesÑfÙkdkHkkxs HkkLokaLenk'k'khAA77AA

> > fo'kk[kkuka prqFksZ¿'ks equs fr " BR;la'k;e~A

> > fo'kk[kkuka ;nk lw;ZÜpjR;a'ka r`rh;de~AA78AA

> > rnk pUnza fotkuh;RÑfÙkdkf'kjfl fLFkre~A

> > rnSo fo " kqok[;ks¿;a dky% iq.;ks¿fHk/h;rsAA79AA

> > rnk nkukfu ns;kfu nsosH;% iz;rkRefHk%A

> > czkgke.ksH;% fir`H;Üpeq[kesrÙkq nkute~AA80AA

> > nÙknkuLrq fo " kqos ÑrÑR;ks¿fHktk;rsA

> > vgksjk=k¼ZHkklkLrq dyk% dk " Bk% {k.kkLrFkkAA81AA

> > In brief, the above slokas convey the following meanings:

> > " There are three apex points - one in the south (on the line of

> > Capricorn), another one in the north (on the line of Cancer). The

> > third one is in the middle (on the Equator). When the Sun arrives

> on

> > this equatorial point after the winter season and before the

> > commencement of the spring season (Vasant), the day of the Vernal

> > Equinox occurs. Whenever the Sun is placed on the Equator, either

> > tropical Aries or tropical Libra start. There is an interval of

> > six tropical months between tropical Aries and tropical Libra. Day

> > and night become equal on the days of the Equinoxes. "

> >

> > " Parasara further states (and this is very important to fix his

> > Era), " Presently, at the time of the ingress of the Sun into

> > tropical Aries, the Sun is placed in the first quarter of Krittika

> > and the Moon is placed in the fourth quarter of Vishakha nakshatra.

> > Similarly, at the time of the ingress of the Sun into tropical

> > Libra, the Sun is placed in the third quarter of Vishakha and the

> > Moon is placed on the head of Krittika. The days on which the

> > equinoxes occur are most important as well as very auspicious for

> > religious purposes. One must do charity and perform other

> auspicious

> > acts on these two days. "

> >

> > It is therefore obvious that both the equinox days are considered

> > very auspicious and are also important reference points which

> > control the yearly cycles.

> >

> > The following inferences can therefore be drawn from chapter 8,

> ansa

> > 2 of the Vishnu Purana:

> >

> > (a) In the days of Parasara, the equinoxes occurred when the Sun

> was

> > in the first quarter of Krittika and in the third quarter of

> > Vishakha. These sectors are 1800 apart. However the Moon was in the

> > fourth quarter of Vishakha on the day of the Vernal Equinox and had

> > just entered into Krittika nakshatra during the period when the

> > Autumnal Equinox occurred. This indicates that the VE point had

> just

> > receded to the first quarter of Krittika nakshatra when Maharishi

> > Parasara narrated the Vishnu Purana to Maitreya (1880 BC).

> > (b) Astronomical constellations are of irregular shapes and do not

> > occupy regular spaces either in the sky or in the zodiac. Further,

> > there are 12 months in a year. Parasara had therefore divided the

> > zodiac into 12 equal sectors of 300 each. These are called signs.

> > Tropical signs will always commence from the VE point as they

> > control the seasonal calendar and the duration of day and night.

> > (The implications are clear. The tropical solar calendar will

> > control the moment of commencement of the Savan day, month or

> year).

> > © As the lunar months are linked to the nakshatras, Parasara

> > divided the zodiac into 27 nakshatras, each having an equal sector

> > of 13020'. He also divided the zodiac into 12 sidereal rasis of

> 300

> > each. The nakshatra chakra thus commenced from Ashvani and the

> > sidereal rasis from Aries (Mesha). Ashvani nakshatra and Mesha rasi

> > commenced from the same reference point, which was fixed on the

> > Ecliptic on a background of stars.

> >

> > 2. Fixing of the Initial Point of the Sidereal Zodiac

> >

> > The main problem was to formulate a definition, which enabled one

> to

> > identify and locate the initial point of the sidereal zodiac on the

> > Ecliptic on a background of the stars and nakshatras.

> > Maharishi Parasara once again adopted the practical aspect of

> > astrology without sacrificing the Vedic tradition, which was

> > established before 6000 BC (ie nearly 4000 years before his Era).

> > The Taittiriya Samhita 7.4.8 says:

> > ^^fp=kkiw.kZekls nh{ksdu~ eq[k ok ,rRlaoRljL;**

> > " Chaitra full moon is the mouth of the Samvatsar. "

> > Panchang-makers in India are following this dictum of the Samhita

> > till to date.

> > Sloka 3, chapter 10, ansha 2 of the Vishnu Purana says:

> > ,rs olfUr oS pS=ks e/qekls lnSo fgA

> > eS=kS; L;Unus Hkkuks% lIr eklkf/dj.kAA3AA

> > This sloka may be interpreted in the following manner :

> > " The Madhu solar month always commences from the ingress of the Sun

> > into tropical Aries, at the beginning of the Vasant Ritu (orseason)

> > and after the occurrence of the Vernal Equinox day. This month is

> > also designated the month of Chaitra (to keep in step with the

> lunar

> > months). Each month has seven designated officials who control it.

> > (This also indicates that each month is controlled by a planet

> > according to the day of its commencement).

> >

> > Parasara has laid down the following dicta in this sloka:

> >

> > a. The tropical year commences from Vasant i.e. on the day of

> > Vernal Equinox. The first month of the tropical year is named Madhu

> > Masa, and can also be called Chaitra Masa. Thereafter, the names of

> > the subsequent solar months are called Phalguni etc, in line with

> > the names of the lunar months. (This is explained in the Vishnu

> > Purana, chapter 10, from sloka 4 onwards. The same method was

> > adopted for naming tropical and sidereal signs.)

> >

> > b. The reference point of the sidereal lunar year and months is

> the

> > star Chitra. This again proves that the initial point of the

> > sidereal zodiac is exactly opposite to the star Chitra (Spica-16).

> > This is the dictum which was given by sage Parasara in line with

> the

> > tradition followed by Vedic rishis since 6000 B.C. The Vedic

> > tradition always had VALID and SOUND reasons for adopting any

> > principle.

> >

> > The following are some of the main considerations for choosing the

> > star Chitra as a reference point for the sidereal zodiac:

> >

> > (i) According to Pauranic lore, Indra had killed Visvarupa who had

> > three heads, meaning thereby that Indra did not wish to give undue

> > importance to the movement of the ayans (the Sun) from south to

> > north and north to south. Thereafter, the second logical step

> became

> > inevitable. Indra had also to kill Vritrasura, meaning thereby that

> > the VE point should not be given undue importance. This simply

> meant

> > that Indra had to give more importance to some other astronomical

> > configuration or phenomenon, which may have had an even greater and

> > wider utility and purpose for the good of mankind. Then the rishis

> > advised Indra to perform the Ashvamedha Yagna, meaning thereby,

> that

> > Ashvani should be recognized as the first nakshatra. This lore

> > indicates that Ashvani was chosen as the first nakshatra of the

> > zodiac after due consideration over a long period of time. The

> > wisdom behind this decision is evident. Vedic astrology, which is

> > based on the sidereal zodiac, is a very potent and effective tool

> to

> > look into all aspects of human life. (This Pauranic lore may also

> be

> > referred in skand 6, chapters 7 to 14 of the Shrimad Bhagvata

> > Mahapurana.)

> >

> > (ii) Once Ashvani became the first nakshatra, its initial (or zero)

> > point needed to be defined. There is no Yogatra that can act as a

> > reference point between Revati and Ashvani nakshatras. The

> longitude

> > of the star Ashvani ( & #61538; Arietis), having a magnitude of 2.64,

> is 100

> > 6'. Further, this star is 80 away from the Ecliptic. The Yogatara

> of

> > Revati (Piscium), with a magnitude of 5.24, is a very faint star.

> In

> > a nutshell, there is no star between Revati and Ashvani to qualify

> > as a reference point. The belief that there was a prominent star in-

> > between these two nakshatras, which had disappeared over the years,

> > seems to have no basis. There appears to be no reference to support

> > this assumption.

> >

> > (iii) The star Chitra (opposite to the junction point of Revati and

> > Ashvani) is a very prominent and bright star, with a magnitude of

> > 0.98 and is located within 20 of the Ecliptic. Except for the star

> > Magha ( & #61537; Leonis), there is no prominent bright star so

> closely

> > located to the Ecliptic. In any case, the Vedic rishis fixed

> Ashvani

> > as the first nakshatra and thus star Magha was not considered as

> the

> > reference star.

> >

> > (iv) Chitra is a bright star and is placed 1800 away from the

> > initial point of the rashi and nakshtra divisions. Consequently, at

> > night, the transits of the Sun and the Moon in these sectors can be

> > more easily observed based on this star.

> >

> > (v) If the reference point is taken to be located opposite to the

> > initial point, the star Chitra becomes placed exactly in the middle

> > of Chitra nakshatra which is an advantage. Varaha Mihira mentions

> in

> > the Surya Siddhanta that the longitude of star Chitra in Chitra

> > nakshatra is 60 40', which indicates that Varaha Mihira also agreed

> > that star Chitra is exactly at the middle of its nakshatra.

> >

> > (vi) Varaha Mihira again indicates that the longitude of the star

> > Magha

> > ( & #61537; Leonois) is the 6th degree in Magha Nakshatra. If the

> longitude

> > of Chitra is taken to be 1800, the longitude of star Magha will be

> > 1250 59' - nearly 1260.

> >

> > (vii) Vedanga Jyotish says that the star Dhanistha (Delphini) is at

> > the beginning of Dhanistha nakshatra. This condition of Vedang

> > Jyotiosh is also fulfilled if the Chitra star becomes opposite to

> > the first point of sidereal Aries (Ashvani nakashatra).

> >

> > These are sound and valid reasons to accept Chitra as a reference

> > star having a longitude of 1800 in the sidereal zodiac.

> >

> > 3. Equator

> >

> > Parasara has again given due importance to the Equator. The Earth

> is

> > flattened at the poles and bulges at the Equator. This is the

> reason

> > that Parasara has given the dictum that bhavas (houses) are to be

> > constructed on the Equator (this means equal house division). The

> > location of man with respect to the Equator on Earth is fixed. Man

> > on Earth feels maximum planetary influences corresponding to his

> > location vis-à-vis the Equator. The Ecliptic is always moving on

> > account of the perturbation of the Earth's polar axis and thus the

> > location of houses on the Ecliptic was not considered a good

> > proposition.

> >

> > 4. Ascendant (Lagna)

> >

> > The invention of the ascending point was a most important and a

> > significant step in the history of astrology. This may probably

> have

> > occurred in the era of Maharishi Parasara

> >

> > As is evident from the study of the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra,

> > the concept of an ascending degree had laid the foundation of the

> > construction of a horoscope having 12 signs and 12 houses, with the

> > lagpna being the ascending sign or first house. The Jataka

> Granthas,

> > and other classics of that Era followed the same system. There is

> > every reason to believe that sage Parasara had perfected this

> system

> > and given to astrology a new dimension. Sage Parasara has,

> > therefore, rightly earned the title of `The Father of Hindu

> > Astrology'.

> >

> > The VE point (the first point of tropical Aries) and initial point

> > of sidereal Aries/ Ashvani nakshatra are two important parameters.

> > These two points have a universal nature and utility.

> >

> > The ascending point is specific to time and place, and yet it also

> > brings about a correlation between the equatorial and the ecliptic

> > planes.

> >

> > As the Equator and the Ecliptic are on different planes, and both

> > are very important, Parasara devised a practical methodology to

> > bring about a correlation between these two planes. This is

> > explained in the following lines:

> >

> >

> > 5. Definition of the ascendant (lagna)

> >

> > a. The ascending degree (or lagna bindu) is the point of

> > intersection of the Ecliptic with the eastern horizon of a place at

> > the given time.

> > b. Parasara has given another important dictum - that the sidereal

> > sign containing this lagna point, rising on the eastern horizon at

> > the time of birth or query, is the ascendant or lagna (sign). Based

> > on this lagna sign and the planets conjoining and separating from

> > each other, the native's good and bad effects are deduced.

> > c. This ascending point has a deeptamsa of 150 on either side.

> > After correlating all conflicting factors, this dictum of Parasara

> > laid down, on logical grounds, a firm foundation for equal house

> > division.

> > d. Once Parasara had fixed the first point of tropical Aries (the

> VE

> > point), which regresses at a rate of 50.29 seconds per tropical

> > year, and the first point of sidereal Aries exactly opposite to

> star

> > Chitra, he divided the zodiac mathematically, ignoring the actual

> > location of constellations in the sky and along the zodiac in the

> > following manner:

> >

> > (i) The zodiac was divided into 12 equal sectors of 30 degrees

> each

> > and each sector was called a sign or a rasi. The first sign was

> > always called Aries with the last being Pisces, thus completing a

> > circle of 3600. The tropical signs always commenced from the VE

> > point for any Epoch or time. The tropical signs do not have any

> > direct correlation with nakshatras or fixed stars.

> >

> > (ii) It is widely believed that tropical signs are a western

> > concept. This is very far from the truth. The Vishnu Purana (1800

> > BC) clearly deals with tropical signs and indicates their use.

> > However our present day Indian astrologers do not give due

> > importance to tropical signs. The tropical signs basically control

> > the seasonal cycles. The ingress of the Sun into tropical Scorpio

> > would be a much better guide for the rainy season. Most Indian

> > astrologers follow the Brihat Samhita of Varaha Mihira, but forget

> > that both the tropical and the sidereal zodiacs coincided in his

> > Era. As such, Varaha Mihira has not given separate dictums for the

> > use of the tropical and the sidereal zodiacs. Present day Indian

> > astrologers should make sincere efforts and learn the purpose and

> > use of tropical signs, particularly for predicting seasonal

> > variations.

> >

> > (iii) Similarly the 12 signs of the sidereal zodiac of 300 each

> > commence from zero degrees of sidereal Aries. The sidereal zodiac

> is

> > again divided into 27 equal sectors, each of 130 20', and each

> > sector is called a nakshatra. Though sidereal rasis and nakshatras

> > commence from the same initial point, they are identified with

> > different groups of stars in the zodiac and in the sky. Generally,

> > the sidereal rasis are identified with fixed constellations, which

> > are mostly within 90 north or south of the Ecliptic. But the

> > constellations, which are identified as the nakshtras, are

> sometimes

> > placed even beyond 300 north or south of the Ecliptic.

> >

> > However, the basic point to be noted is that though the sidereal

> > rasis (signs) and nakshatras do have a fixed relationship with the

> > stars, their location is always dependent and measured, for

> > astrological purposes, from a fixed point which is opposite to star

> > Chitra.

> >

> > 6. Ayanamsa

> >

> > All the authorities have established the importance of the correct

> > and true value of the ayanamsa. Hence our classics say that

> ayanamsa

> > must be updated from time to time through observations.

> >

> > It is arrogance at its worst that some so-called modern authorities

> > have given their own names to the ayanamsa by altering its value a

> > little. The Vedic and scientific ayanamsa had not been given a name

> > before the nineteenth century. All ayanamsa(s) are, in fact,

> either

> > Chitra Paksheeya or Suryasiddhantika only.

> >

> > The Surya Siddhanta says that the VE oscillates like a pendulum 27

> > degrees east and west, but according to the description given in

> the

> > Shatpath Brahmana, the VE point has been found to have shifted by

> 67

> > degrees. Therefore Munjala, Bhaskaracharya, Ketkar and, in

> > particular, modern astronomy accept that the VE point always moves

> > backwards due to the precession of the Equinoxes with an annual

> mean

> > motion of 50.3 seconds per year, completing the circle in about

> > 26,000 years. There is no hesitation in saying that the assumption

> > of the Surya Siddhanta that the VE point oscillates, is not

> correct.

> > At present, the old Surya Siddhantika ayanamsas are calculated in a

> > self-willed manner (according to the old length of the year). The

> > values of such ayanamsas are in the range of 22 degrees 25 minutes

> > in 2003 AD.

> >

> > The Chitra Paksheeya ayanamsa is proved to be authentic by

> > scientific research and is eminently compatible with the dicta of

> > our ancient sages and scriptures.

> >

> > a. Definition of Ayanamsa

> >

> > The angular distance between the fixed initial point of sidereal

> > Aries and the VE point or, in other words, the tropical longitude

> of

> > the fixed initial point is called ayanamsa. The fixed sidereal

> > initial point of Aries is always exactly opposite to the longitude

> > of the star Chitra of date. This definition of Ayanamsa is

> according

> > to astrological requirements.

> >

> > The above can be restated, in the following words, to make the

> > definition more rigorous, accurate and authentic, free from

> > controversies, and also to incorporate the advances of modern

> > astronomy:

> >

> > " When the true tropical longitude of star Chitra (Spica – 16,

> > Viginis) is reduced by 180 degrees, the remainder will be the true

> > value of the Chitra Paksheeya ayanamsa of date. "

> >

> > The accuracy of the ayanamsa is therefore dependent on the correct

> > measurement of the true position of the VE point and the true

> > tropical longitude of star Chitra on a given date. Modern astronomy

> > has taken the following corrective steps for the accurate

> > measurement of these very important and vital parameters. The steps

> > are explained below in brief.

> >

> >

> > b. Measurement of the Equinox

> >

> > The determination of the correct longitude of any celestial body

> > depends on the correct and proper measurement of the VE point. As

> > all of us know, the Vernal Equinox point has a nearly uniform

> > retrograde motion of about 50.3 sec per year due to the precession

> > of the Equinoxes and an oscillatory motion due to nutation€. This

> > gives rise to the mean Equinox of date and the true apparent

> Equinox

> > respectively. Similarly, the inclination of the Ecliptic to the

> > Equator, known as the obliquity of the Ecliptic is also variable.

> > The inclination suffers slow uniform diminution of about half a

> > second per year as well as an oscillation due to nutation of

> > obliquity.

> >

> > The catalogue Equinox is an empirical approximation to the

> dynamical

> > Equinox. There is always some difference between the two due to the

> > limited accuracy of observation. The International Astronomical

> > Union introduced new methods of compilation from the year 1985 A.D.

> > This ensures that the difference between the two Equinoxes is less

> > than 0.04 seconds.

> >

> > c. Precession

> > Indian astronomers call the precession of Equinoxes Akashchalana.

> > Newcomb has given a formula to find out the precession for a

> > particular year after 1850 AD. A major change, having far reaching

> > consequences for fundamental astronomy, is the adoption of a new

> > value for the constant of general precession from the year 1985.

> > This constant is based on the latest determination of luni-solar

> > precession and planetary masses.

> >

> > Nutation

> > Similarly the new IAV (1980) theory of nutation has been adopted

> > from 1985 onwards for better accuracy.

> >

> > The new nutation theory thus includes all externally forced motions

> > of the Earth's rotational axis while no geophysical (internally

> > induced) or free motion is included. The new reference pole shall

> be

> > referred to as the " Celestial Ephemeris Pole (CEP). "

> >

> > Aberration

> > Aberration is the displacement of the position of a celestial

> object

> > due to the infinite speed of light. The planetary observation is

> > also computed by interpolating the geocentric ephemeris.

> >

> > d. Apparent Geocentric Longitude and Latitude of Celestial Bodies

> >

> > The modern ephemerides give these values based on the true Equinox

> > and Ecliptic of date and are corrected for planetary aberration.

> >

> > Apparent or true places of stars are now given in the Ephemeris

> > calculated on the basis of the new values of precession, aberration

> > and obliquity of the Ecliptic as per IAU (1976) and the 1980 theory

> > of nutation.

> >

> > This is the reason why I have suggested that ayanamsa should be

> > obtained by deducting 180 degrees from the modern value of the true

> > tropical longitude of star Chitra.

> >

> > The work of astrologers is to provide a definition of ayanamsa.

> > Astrologers cannot measure the longitudes of the above two

> essential

> > and vital parameters. This is the work of astronomy. Modern

> > astronomy is quite advanced and all ephemerides provide the

> tropical

> > longitude of stars for each Epoch, from which the true value of

> > ayanamsa can easily be deduced.

> >

> > However, the following aspects are examined before arriving at this

> > definition of aynamsa:

> >

> > The stars in the sky are not absolutely fixed but move slowly in

> all

> > directions when viewed from the Earth. Their motion is known as

> > proper motion of stars. Star Chitra also moves, and the annual

> value

> > of its proper motion in longitude, taking the oscillation of the

> > Ecliptic into account was -0.024 sec. in 1988 and -0.028 in 2001

> AD.

> > According to the Lahiri Ephemeris for 2003 AD, the tropical and the

> > sidereal zodiacs were coincident in 285 AD. It is calculated and

> > confirmed by renowned observatories of the world that the longitude

> > of star Chitra was 1800 00' 03''.0 on 22nd March, 285 AD, the VE

> > day. The longitude of star Chitra with reference to the above

> > reference point has however diminished by 60'' during the period of

> > 1718 years from 285 AD.

> >

> > In view of the appreciable shift of Chitra from its original

> > position in 285 AD, it is necessary to give serious consideration

> to

> > the proposal of correcting the present position of the initial or

> > zero point on the Ecliptic so that it is brought to the position

> > exactly opposite to star Chitra.

> >

> > The correction can be made in two ways:

> > (1) Making a correction at an interval of 100 years, or any

> > other appropriate period.

> > (2) Tropical longitude of star Chitra for any particular year or

> > day may be deducted by 1800, the resultant value will

> represent

> > the true value of the ayanamsa of date.

> > The second option is now quite feasible and practical for

> > Panchangmakers, as this data can easily be obtained from

> > astronomical observatories and the required values can be easily

> > calculated with help of computers.

> >

> > The various values of ayanamsa on different bases on 1.1.2003 are

> as

> > under: -

> >

> > True Chitra Paksheeya 23°52'59''.3

> > Lahiri 23°53'56''.3

> > Krishnamurthi 23°53'14''

> > Raman 22°26'59'

> > Fagan 24°32'35''

> >

> > The aynamsa of Lahiri is based on the tropical longitude of the

> > initial point of sidereal Aries as 23º 15' 00 " on March 21, 1957.

> > Krishnamurthi tried to make an attempt to bring his aynamsa value

> > closer to the true Chitra Paksheeya value.

> >

> > I have no comments on the ayanamsa values which are not based on

> > star Chitra as a fixed reference point. If some authorities say

> that

> > they obtain better predictive results by adopting a particular

> value

> > of ayanamsa, such a statement is too wide and subjective. There

> > seems no reason to accept such propositions.

> >

> > e. A Summary of Parasher's Principles

> > In a nutshell, Maharishi Parasara gave a specific direction to

> > astrology by laying down, around 1800 BC, the following basic

> > dictums:

> >

> > (i) Parasara introduced mathematical rasis of 300 each. Tropical

> > rasis commenced from the VE point, whereas sidereal rasis commenced

> > from a fixed reference point in the zodiac. Both sets of rasis were

> > given similar names. The first rasi always started from Mesha

> > (Aries).

> > (ii) The sidereal zodiac is again divided into 27 nakshatras of

> > equal parts of 130 20' each. These nakshatras also commenced from

> > the fixed reference point referred to above. The first nakshatra

> > always commenced from Ashvani. With the dawn of the Parasara Era,

> > the predicament about whether there should be 27 or 28 nakshatras

> > had also finally been resolved. (This predicament had arisen on

> > account of the sidereal period of the Moon being 27.3216615 days.)

> > (iii) Sage Parasara introduced a week of seven days, naming each

> > day after the seven planets. The order of the days was decided

> > according to the placement of planets in their orbits around the

> > Earth. A planet is the lord of each month according the day of the

> > month's commencement. A hora is equivalent to an hour. Parasara

> > divided the day and night into 24 hours, which ultimately gave the

> > concept of the order of the weekdays.

> > (iv) Sage Parasara developed and introduced the birth chart

> > represented by 12 signs and 12 houses. This was even then a new

> > concept for Vedic astrology. Upto the Era of the Mahabharata, and

> > even in the later Era of Vishwamitra, there is no mention of rasis

> > or weekdays. Only the Valmiki Ramayana mentions the birth details

> of

> > Lord Rama and his brothers with reference to zodiacal signs. In the

> > Valmiki Ramayana of 24000 slokas, the signs were never used except

> > in three slokas. All other literature and classics of that Era do

> > not mention rashis and weekdays. As such it is safe to assume that

> > the three slokas in the Valmiki Ramayana may have been interpolated

> > after the Era of Parasara. The Vishnu Purana, as well as the 17

> > other major Puranas authored in the Era of Parasara , refer to

> > rashis and weekdays. It is therefore safe to assume that Parasara

> > and his contemporary rishis introduced the concept of mathematical

> > rasis, nakshatras and weekdays around 2000 BC.

> > (v) The most far-reaching and significant contribution of the Era

> > of Parasara was the invention of the ascendant (lagna). The sign

> > containing the ascending degree was called the ascendant or lagna

> > sign. In the birth chart, each Rashi also acted as a bhava (house).

> > The longitude of the most effective point of each bhava was the

> same

> > as the ascending degree, which was called most affective point of

> > the bhava.Let call this as middle point of Bhava for the sake of

> > convenience.

> > (vi) All bhavas were constructed on the Equator. The Ecliptic was

> > not preferred for the construction of bhavas. Each bhava madhya had

> > a deeptaamsa of 150 on either side. Thus Parasara recommended the

> > use of equal house division. The reasons for this dictum have

> > already been explained.

> > (vii) There are two significant slokas in Brihat Parasara Hora

> > Shastra on Bhava charts:

> >

> > Jqrk xzgxq.kk LÙoÙkLrFkk jkf'kxq.k equsA

> > JksrfePNkfe Hkkokuka HksnkaLrku d`i;k onAA

> > sloka 6/1

> > " O sage, you have explained to me the nature (form, nomenclature,

> > characteristics, function etc) of planets and signs. Kindly narrate

> > to me the secrets and classifications of bhavas (houses) "

> > Prasara replied:

> >

> > oxkZu " kksMl ;kukg czguk yksdfirkeg%A

> > rkuga lEizo{;kfe eS=ks;A Jw;rkfefr%AA

> > sloka 6/2

> > " O Maitreya, Lord Brahma has classified bhavas (houses) into 16

> > kinds of vargas (divisions). I will explain to you these

> > classifications. "

> > These two slokas are of great significance and lay down the basis

> of

> > Parasari astrology.

> > (1) The birth sign chart also acts as one of the divisional

> > charts.

> > (2) Lord Brahma described 16 kinds of bhava vargas (house

> > divisions) for different purposes and these can be obtained by

> > dividing signs (rasis) into components and arranging these in a

> > specified harmonious scheme.

> > (3) The first division of any varga chart that contains the

> > ascending degree will act as the first bhava of each varga. Each

> > varga chart will have 12 bhavas.

> > The instructions are clear and do not leave any doubt. In this

> > manner each sign is divided into 150 parts and each part has

> > specific characteristics which can be ascertained by constructing

> > separate divisional charts. This also laid the foundation of nadi

> > astrology.

> > The system of divisional charts is a very unique, practical, easy-

> to-

> > apply and versatile method to examine and predict every aspect of

> > life in minute detail.

> > The above principles pave the way for the development of

> > astrological science in the different branches which are

> > summarized as under:

> >

> > Nadi Astrology

> >

> > In this system each rasi (or sign) is divided into 150 equal parts.

> > Each part is called a Nadi. Each Nadi has a special characteristic.

> > This system is popular after the name of Maharishi Bhrigu. The

> > predictions are made based on progression and transits of planets.

> > In the west, predictions are made with the help of progression of

> > the planets but on a different basis, as they are unware about the

> > fundamentals and basic principles of Bhrigu astrology.

> >

> > Directional Astrology

> >

> > Maharishi Parasara developed the following methodology systems for

> > predictive purposes:

> > 1. Yogas: These are formed on account of a specific

> > configuration of signs, houses and planets in a nativity. These

> > yogas are indicative of specific characteristics as well as the

> > potential of a nativity.

> >

> > 2. Directional (dasa) System: Parasara developed four basic

> > directional systems. The first are the nakshatra dasas based on the

> > placement of planets in nakshatras and houses, like the Vimshottari

> > and the Kalachakra dasas. Secondly, there are planatary dasas like

> > the Pindayur dasa, Ansayur dasa and the Nisargayur dasa. Thirdly,

> > there are the sign (or rashi) dasas and lastly the bhava (or

> > house) dasas like in the Sudarshan Chakra system.

> >

> > 3. Transit of planets: This can be divided into the following

> > parts.

> > a. The daily transits of planets with respect to the

> > ascendant, the Moon and the other planets placed in a nativity.

> > (Some specific systems were developed for predictive purposes like

> > the Astaka Varga system.)

> > b. The yearly solar – lunar return charts

> > c. The yearly solar return charts

> > d. Prediction based on the time of query

> >

> > The last two systems are popularly known as part of the Tajik

> system.

> >

> > Jaimini System

> >

> > Maharishi Jaimini has laid special emphasis on yogas and rashi

> > dasas. The principles laid down by him are known as Jaimini

> > Astrology. The `Updesh Sutras' authored by him are very popular

> and

> > occupy a respectable place in the system of prediction in Vedic

> > astrology.

> >

> > Samhita Astrology

> >

> > This branch of astrology basically deals with human affairs on a

> > collective basis and indicates the methodology of the rise and fall

> > of nations and civilisations (mundane astrology) as well as

> > meteorological predictions.

> >

> > Electional (Muhurta) Astrology

> >

> > This branch of astrology occupies prime status and is most popular

> > in all societies and countries of the world. Even persons, who do

> > not have faith in God or astrology, choose an auspicious moment to

> > commence a journey or start a new venture. In the Vedic period,

> > muhurats were generally based on the placement of planets in

> > nakshatras or on a particular duration of the day which depended on

> > sunrise or lunar tithis etc. However, in last four thousand years,

> > after the introduction of signs, houses and weekdays in astrology,

> > this branch of Muhurta astrology has expanded tremendously.

> >

> > The Era of Varaha Mihira

> >

> > Varaha Mihira was a great astronomer-cum-astrologer. He lived in

> the

> > early years after Christ though authorities have different views

> > about his actual Era. But one thing is certain, which is that both

> > the tropical and the sidereal zodiacs were almost coincident during

> > his time. His name is respected even today and is taken along with

> > those of other great rishis of the Vedic Era like Garg, Vishwamitra

> > (in the field of astronomy) and Parasara, Bhirgu, Jaimini (in the

> > field of astrology). In fact he summed up in his works the

> > advancements made upto his Era in the field of astrology.

> > The principal works of Varaha Mihira are:

> > (1) Panch Sidhhantica (2) Brihat Samhita (3) Brihat Jataka

> > (4) Laghu Jataka and (5) Yoga Yatra

> >

> > Varaha Mihira adopted the principles given above in the Brihat

> > Jataka and in his other works without any reservations. This is

> > evident from sloka 4, chapter I of the Brihat Jataka.

> > dkykÄõkfu ojkÄõekuueqjks âRdksMoklks Hk`rks

> > ofLrO;Z×tuew#tkuq;qxys tÄ~ ?ks rrks¿fÄ~?kz};e~A

> > es " kkf'oçFkek uo{kZpj.kk'pØfLFkrk jk'k;ks

> > jkf'k{ks=kx`g{kZHkkfu Hkoua pSdkFkZlEçR;;k%AA4AA

> >

> > " The (Twelve) signs of the Zodiac, commencing with the first point

> > of Aries and of (the asterism of ) Ashvini, and consisting, each,

> > of nine stellar quarters and forming a circle, are respectively the

> > head, face, breast, heart, belly, navel, abdomen, genital organ,

> two

> > thighs, two knees, two ankles and two feet of Kalapurusha. (The

> > terms) Rashi, Kshetra, Griha, Riksha, Bham, Bhavana, are synonymous

> > terms. "

> >

> > This sloka brings out following points:

> > (1) The 12 rasis-signs represent the 12 body parts of Kala

> > Purusha.

> > (2) Mesha rasi and Ashvani nakshatra start from the same initial

> > points.

> > (3) Rasi and nakshatra are again divided into parts (divisional

> > charts).

> > (4) Sign and bhava are synonymous terms. By this statement

> > Varaha Mihira accepts the dictum of sage Parasara on varga charts

> > (division of houses).

> > (5) This sloka consists of 72 full letters, thus indicating that

> > the Nirayana and Sayana zodiacs, both consisting of 12 signs, are

> > separating from each other by about one degree in 72 years along

> the

> > Ecliptic. In the Kalachakra dasa scheme of Parasara, the total dasa

> > periods of the seven planets from the Sun onwards is also 72 years

> > (5 + 21 + 7 + 9 + 10 + 16 + 4). The total period for 4 Navamsas of

> > each nakshatra works out to 354 years (100 + 85 + 83 + 86)

> > equivalent to the number of days in a lunar year (29.531 & #61620;

> 12). In

> > the Kalachakra dasa, sage Parasara integrated the concept of the

> > precession of the VE point with the lunar and the solar years.

> >

> > Conclusion

> >

> > The following, in a nutshell, are the basic features of Vedic

> > astrology:

> >

> > (1) Tropical and sidereal signs and the concept of weekdays were

> > invented in the Era of Parasara (around 2000 BC).

> >

> > (2) Vedic astrology puts the main emphasis on three points along

> > the Ecliptic. The first point is the initial point of tropical

> Aries

> > (the point which marks the ingress of the Sun into tropical Aries).

> > The second one is the star Chitra. Vedic astrology believes that

> the

> > initial points of sidereal Aries and Ashvani nakshatra are exactly

> > opposite to the star Chitra. The third is the ascending point.

> >

> > (3) The signs, nakshatras and planets are linked to the

> > Ecliptic, whereas houses are formed on the Equator. The ascending

> > degree is the mid-point of the house.

> >

> > (4) The tropical solar calendar was recommended for civil and

> > social functions and also for festivals which are linked with the

> > seasonal cycles. The sidereal solar calendar is adopted for

> > astrological and special religious rituals according to individual

> > beliefs and practices. However, the first month of the solar or

> > lunar calendar is called Chaitra and the last one is Phalguni. The

> > months are of four kinds (1) solar months (2) lunar months (3)

> > nakshatra months and (4) Savan months. The Savan month is linked

> > with sunrise as such is dependent on the tropical solar year and

> > each month is of 30 days. The Savan month can start from any day

> > from sunrise depending upon the requirement of the ritual. The

> Savan

> > month can not be adopted or used for astrological purposes.

> >

> > References

> > (1) Apte, SS. Vedic Astrology and Mythology

> > (2) Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra

> > (3) Vishnu Purana. Gita Press, Gorakhpur

> > (4) Prasad, Dr. Gorakh. Bhartiya Jyotish Ka Itihas

> > (5) Shrimad Bhagavatam Mahapuran. Gita Press, Gorakhpur

> > (6) Issues in Vedic Astronomy and Astrology, Chapter 11. Motilal

> > Banarsidas, 1989

> > (7) Chatterji, Commodore S K. Ayanamsa and Initial Point of

> > Indian Zodiac. Astrological Magazine, Banglore, 1988

> > (8) Varaha Mihira. Surya Siddhanta

> > (9) Varaha Mihira. Brihat Samhita

> > (10) de Vore, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology,1947

> > (11) Lahiri Ephemeris, 2003

> > (12) The Indian Astronomical Ephemeris, 2001

> >

G.K.GOEL

> Ph: 09350311433

> Add: L-409, SARITA VIHAR

> NEW DELHI-110 076

> INDIA

>

>

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