Astrology is a branch of science that deals with the study of the stars and the planets, their alignment at the time of the birth of an individual and the art of prediction of future of humans based on the position of stars at the time they were born. Prediction of future course of events through astrology is a scientific technique and is based on science and logic. It is not based on some arbitrary reasoning. Over the years, astrology has attracted a lot of attention even in the West as we can find many Western people aspiring to read astrology and the art of fortune telling. Astrology is also popularly referred to as Vedic astrology. This is not because it there is Vedas in astrology. There is no mention of astrology in the Vedas. However, Vedangas, a branch of Vedas which dates back to the Vedic period, is there in astrology and hence it also called as Vedic Astrolgy. Several Poojas and religious functions that are practiced in Nepal and India are done as per the Vedic system. Hence, it is also called Vedic astrology.
The Vedangas are categorized into six different categories. They are: Siksha or phonetics, Kalpa or ritual, Vyakarana or grammar, Nirukta or etymology, Chhandas or metrics and Jyotishya or astronomy and astrology. These things are mentioned in Upanishad too. Upanishad is a religious Hindu scripture.
Vedic astrology is one of the oldest forms of astrology. It is widely believed that it evolved more than 5,000 years ago and is based on a body of knowledge known as the 'Vedas,' which roughly translates into 'knowledge' or 'wisdom,' and is also referred to as Jyotish, -- the ‘light of the heavenly bodies’. Today, Vedic astrology is acknowledged as one of the most powerful forms of astrology in practice and is followed by millions of people from across the world.
While Western system of astrology is known for its emphasis on the psychological nature and personality of an individual, the Vedic astrology's primary focus is on predicting cycles and events of the future, hence putting more emphasis on understanding the future course of events when certain events are likely to take place. Vedic astrology gives a better view of a person's karmic tendencies and when such tendencies are likely to manifest for that person through a unique system of planetary time cycles, called 'dashas,' for which there is no exact corresponding method in the Western astrology. Hence, the Vedic astrology practiced in the East has its own uniqueness and thrives on centuries old practice and tradition of astro and fortune telling.
The planets in Vedic astrology are uniquely referred to as 'grahas' and ancient scriptures refer to them as the lords of karma and destiny. It is believed that the birth chart of an individual is based on their past karma, which is bestowed upon them by the nine planets based on their previous life. The role of Vedic astrology is to make one aware of the presence or absence of certain tendencies, and should be used as a tool for making them better prepared for taking better decisions. Ultimately, the purpose of astrology is self-knowledge, self-awareness and improvement, rather than just predicting the future events.
Vedic astrology follows the combinations of the houses, signs and planets as those in Western astrology. But for those of us familiar with the Western birth chart, there will be many differences. The Vedic birth chart is square, instead of the round chart wheel of Western astrology. The houses, signs and planets also take on different meaning under Vedic astrology. The more recently discovered outer planets -- Neptune, Pluto and Uranus are not considered in Vedic astrology for the purposes of interpreting a chart, however, the Lunar Nodes are. The North Node is known as Rahu and the South Node as Ketu.
Each planet is also given ruler ship over a particular sign of the zodiac and it is referred to as its lord. The ruling planet transfers a large part of its influence upon the sign it rules and planet ruler ships play a very important part in Vedic science.
Each of the 12 astrological signs belongs to a certain element in one of its states. This gives us twelve quite different basic types. These varying qualities provide the “backdrop” to the planetary positions. As each horoscope has different planets in different signs, there can never be a “pure” Aries or a “pure” Gemini. Each horoscope is a highly individual, very complex and usually also very varied combination of parts.
In order to understand the signs, we must take into account the typical expressions of the elements, as well as the characteristics belonging to the planets associated with the signs.
by---Dr.Kailash Pd Shah
