Showing posts with label about astrology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label about astrology. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Grahas-Introduction

Grahas (planets)
Introduction
There are 7 grahas (planets) in Vedic astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. There are two more chaayaa grahas (shadow planets): Rahu and Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are mathematical points. They are also called the north and south nodes or the head and tail of dragon. They are based on the points at which the orbit of Moon around earth cuts the orbit of earth around Sun.
Rasis represent situations that develop in one’s life and influences that enter one’s life. Planets in a chart represent human beings that play a role in one’s life.
Just as the whole zodiac represents Lord Vishnu and rasis represent His limbs, planets represent Vishnu’s avataras (incarnations).
Characteristics of Planets
Vishnu’s Avataras
This world contains two essences – jeevaamsa (living essence) and paramaatmaamsa (absolute and supreme essence). Planets are the manifestations of different aspects of these essences. Vishnu’s incarnations happened with these essences taken from various planets.
Meena/Matsya avatara (fish) came from Ketu. Koorma avatara (tortoise) came from Saturn. Varaaha/sookara avatara (boar) came from Rahu. Narasimha/Nrisimha avatara (half-man, half-lion) came from Mars. Vaamana avatara (learned dwarf) came from Jupiter. Parasu Rama/Bhaargava Rama came from Venus. Rama came from Sun. Krishna came from Moon. Buddha came from Mercury.
All these incarnations came into being with a significant percentage of paramaatmaamsa (supreme essence) than jeevaatmaamsa (living essence). Rama, Krishna, Narasimha and Varaha avataras had only paramaatmaamsa.
Other living beings are born with a significant percentage of jeevaamsa and a little of paramaatmaamsa from the planets.
Benefics and Malefics
(1) Jupiter and Venus are natural benefics (saumya grahas or subha grahas). Mercury becomes a natural benefic when he is alone or with more natural benefics. Waxing Moon of Sukla paksha is a natural benefic.
(1) Sun, Mars, Rahu and Ketu are natural malefics (kroora grahas or paapa grahas). Mercury becomes a natural malefic when he is joined by more natural malefics. Waning Moon of Krishna paksha is a natural malefic.
This information is important because the results given by planets are based on their inherent nature.
Main Governance
Sun governs soul. Moon governs mind. Mars governs strength. Mercury governs speech. Jupiter governs knowledge and happiness. Venus governs potency. Saturn governs grief.
Planets and Colors
Sun shows blood-red color. Moon shows tawny color. Mars shows blood-red color. Mercury shows grass green color. Jupiter shows tawny color. Venus is variegated. Saturn shows black color.
These colors can be useful, for example, when predicting the color of one’s car. For now, readers should just memorize these characteristics.
Planetary Cabinet
Sun and Moon are kings. Mars is the leader (army chief). Mercury is the prince. Jupiter and Venus are the ministers. Saturn is the servant. Rahu and Ketu form the army.
Planetary Deities
Ruling deities of various planets are as given below: Agni (fire god) for Sun, Varuna (rain god) for Moon, Subrahmanya (army chief of gods) for Mars, Maha Vishnu (supreme sustaining force) for Mercury, Indra (ruler of gods) for Jupiter, Sachi Devi (Indra’s wife) for Venus, Brahma (Creator) for Saturn.
Sex of Planets
Sun, Mars and Jupiter are male. Moon and Venus are female. Saturn and Mercury are female.
This information can be used for predicting the sex of children based on one’s chart. For example, if the house ruling the first child is influenced by Jupiter, Mars and Mercury, we may predict a son. If it is influenced by Moon and Mercury, we may predict a daughter.
Planets & Five Elements
(1) Agni tattva (fiery element) is ruled by Mars. Sun also has the same nature.(1) Bhoo tattva (earthy element) is ruled by Mercury.(1) Vaayu tattva (airy element) is ruled by Saturn.(1) Aakaasa tattva (ethery element) is ruled by Jupiter.(1) Jala tattva (watery element) is ruled by Venus. Moon also has the same nature.
These rulerships throw light on the basic nature of planets. Being a fiery planet, Mars governs leadership, enterprise etc. Being an earthy planet, Mercury governs memory, logical abilities etc. Being an airy planet, Saturn governs wandering and free spirit. Being a watery planet, Venus governs imaginative and creative work. Being an ethery planet, Jupiter governs wisdom, intelligence and perceiving knowledge.
Planets & Varnas
Jupiter and Venus are Brahmanas (learned). Sun and Mars are Kshatriyas (warriors). Moon and Mercury are Vaisyas (traders). Saturn is a Sudra (worker).
Learning and intelligence is the forte of the learned class. Bravery is the forte of the warrior class. Getting along with others well is the forte of the trader class. Hard work is the forte of the working class. In this manner, we should understand varnas to show one’s basic nature rather than the caste of one’s family.
It should be noted that Moon, who was earlier classified in the planetary cabinet as a king, is said here to be of Vaisya varna. Sun is a king who is also a warrior. He is a brave king, who asserts himself. But Moon is a king who gets along well with everyone.
Planets & Gunas
Sun, Moon and Jupiter are saattwik planets. Mercury and Venus are raajasik planets. Mars and Saturn are taamasik planets.
NOTE: There is a misconception today that sattwa guna means patience and not hurting others. An aggressive response to an offender is often thought to be raajasik. However, sattwa simply means “the state of being true”. Pleasing others with artificial goodness is not sattwa guna. Punishing a person for his mistakes is not necessarily rajo guna. If there is some passion and impurity in one’s energetic response, then it shows rajo guna. But, if a warrior fights a sinning person with no passion or ego, it can still be a saattvic act. Lord Sri Rama and Sun are examples for this. Sun is a king of the warrior class and yet he is saattwik. Lord Rama, who was born with his amsa, is a saattwik person despite killing Ravana and other demons.
Sattva guna simply means purity and truthfulness in one’s thoughts and action. Rajo guna shows some passion, energy and impurity in thoughts and actions. Tamo guna shows a dark, mean and depraved spirit in thoughts and actions.
Planetary Abodes
Sun lives in a temple. Moon lives in a watery place. Mercury lives in a sports ground. Jupiter lives in a treasure house. Venus lives in the bedroom. Saturn lives in a filthy area.
This description should give one an idea of the nature of planets.
Seven Dhaatus
Sapta dhaatus or 7 matters make up human body. The planetary rulerships are as follows: Sun rules bones. Moon rules blood. Mars rules marrow. Mercury rules skin. Jupiter rules fat. Venus rules semen (materials related to the reproductive system). Saturn rules muscles.
If Sun is afflicted, it can show some problems related to bones. Weakness of Moon may give blood related problems. And so on.
Planets & Time Periods
Sun rules an ayana. Moon rules a minute. Mars rules a week. Mercury rules a ritu. Jupiter rules a month. Venus rules a fortnight. Saturn rules a year.
These periods are very useful in prasna or horary astrology.
Planets & Tastes
Sun governs the pungent taste (e.g. onion, ginger, pepper). Moon governs the saline taste (e.g. sea salt, rock salt). Mars governs the bitter taste (e.g. karela/bitter melon, dandelion root, rhubarb root, neem leaves). Mercury governs a mixed taste. Jupiter governs sweetness (e.g. sugar, dates). Venus governs the sour taste (e.g. lemon, tamarind). Saturn governs the astringent taste (e.g. plantain, pomegranate).
The 2nd house shows one’s preference in food. The planets influencing it may decide one’s favorite taste. In addition, one should avoid the tastes of the planets who are likely bring disease. Suppose one is running a dasa or antardasa of a sign containing Moon as per Shoola dasa (a dasa that shows suffering). Then some suffering related to Moon is possible. Moon can give problems related to blood pressure as he governs blood. So eating too much salty food during such a period may result in high blood pressure. Similarly, one should cut down on sweets during a period in which Jupiter related troubles are indicated. Or, one may develop too much fat (Jupiter) or get other Jupiter related diseases.
Planetary Strengths
Mercury and Jupiter are strong in the eastern direction (lagna). Sun and Mars are strong in the southern direction (meridian – 10th house). Moon and Venus are strong in the northern direction (nadir – 4th house). Saturn is strong in the west (7th house). These are the digbalas (strengths associated with direction) of planets. These show the direction taken by one in one’s life, as we will see later.
Moon, Mars and Saturn are strong in the night time. Sun, Jupiter and Venus are strong in the daytime. Mercury is always strong.
Natural malefics are strong in Krishna paksha. Natural benefics are strong in Sukla paksha.
Natural malefics are strong in Dakshina ayana. Natural benefics are strong in Uttara ayana.
Planets & Ritus
Planetary rulerships over ritus (seasons) are as follows: Venus governs vasanta ritu (spring). Mars governs greeshma ritu (summer). Moon governs varsha ritu (rainy season). Mercury governs hemanta ritu (season of dew). Jupiter governs seeta ritu (winter). Saturn governs sisira ritu (fall).
Dhatu, Moola and Jeeva
(1) Rahu, Mars, Saturn and Moon rule over dhaatus (metals and materials).(1) Sun and Venus rule over moolas (roots and vegetables).
(1) Mercury, Jupiter and Ketu rule over jeevas (living beings).
Planetary Dignities
Each planet has a sign where it is exalted (uchcha), a sign where it is debilitated (neecha), a sign that is called its moolatrikona and one or two rasis that are owned by it. A planet is said to be strong in its own rasi or exaltation rasi or moolatrikona.
Table 3 shows own rasis, exaltation rasis, the degree of deep exaltation, debilitation rasi, the degree of deep debilitation and the moolatrikona of each planet.
Table 3: Dignities of Planets
Planet Own rasis Exaltation rasi(deep exaltationpoint) Debilitation rasi(deep debilitationpoint) MoolatrikonaSun Le Ar (10º) Li (10º) LeMoon Cn Ta (3º) Sc (3º) TaMars Ar & Sc Cp (28º) Cn (28º) ArMercury Ge & Vi Vi (15º) Pi (15º) ViJupiter Sg & Pi Cn (5º) Cp (5º) SgVenus Ta & Li Pi (27º) Vi (27º) LiSaturn Cp & Aq Li (20º) Ar (20º) AqRahu Aq Ge Sg ViKetu Sc Sg Ge PiSome special points regarding the results given by planets:
(1) Sun gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 20º of Le and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.(1) Moon gives the results of being in exaltation rasi in the first 3º of Ta and the results of being in moolatrikona in the remaining 27º.(1) Mars gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 12º of Le and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 18º.(1) Mercury gives the results of being in exaltation rasi in the first 15º of Vi, the results of being in moolatrikona in the next 5º and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.
(1) Jupiter gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 10º of Sg and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 20º.(1) Venus gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first half of Li and the results of being in own rasi in the second half of Li.(1) Saturn gives the results of being in moolatrikona in the first 20º of Aq and the results of being in own rasi in the remaining 10º.
An analogy may help one understand the subtle difference between own rasi, exaltation rasi and moolatrikona.
Own rasi of a planet (e.g. Pisces of Jupiter) is like one’s home. One is most natural and comfortable at home. That is exactly what a planet in own rasi is. Moolatrikona of a planet (e.g. Sagittarius of Jupiter) is like one’s office. One executes one’s formal job and performs one’s duty at office. One is powerful and duty-minded at office. Exaltation sign of a planet (e.g. Cancer of Jupiter) is like a favorite party/picnic. One is excited to be at one’s favorite party/picnic. So an exalted planet is like an excited person at his favorite picnic spot. Debilitation sign of a planet (e.g. Capricorn of Jupiter) is like one’s worst party. A debilitated planet is like an unhappy person stuck at a place he hates.
Jupiter is a saattwik and dharmik Brahmin. Ethery Jupiter, planet of perception, intelligence and wisdom, is most comfortable in saattwik Pisces, which is the 12th house of the natural zodiac. That is his home. However, he also has to uphold dharma. Upholding dharma is his duty. Whether he likes it or not, he has to do it. So fiery Sagittarius, 9th house in the natural zodiac, is his moolatrikona. Jupiter is like a "raaja purohit" (chief priest of a king) in Sagittarius. He has to sometimes take strong decisions to uphold dharma (like sentencing someone to death). In Pisces, he is like a peaceful Brahmin doing pooja at his home. In watery Cancer, the 4th house of the natural zodiac, Jupiter is excited to do some imaginative (watery) learning (4th house matter). In taamasik and earthy Capricorn, the 10th house of the natural zodiac, Jupiter hates doing tamasik and well-defined karma (action, 10th house matter). It is against his nature. Executing well-defined taamasik karma may be fine with taamasik planets Mars and Saturn, but Jupiter is unhappy with it. So Jupiter is debilitated in Cp.
Take Mercury as another example. He is an intellectual planet and significator of communications. “Intelligent communication” is the most comfortable activity for him. So his home is intellectual Gemini, the 3rd house (communications) of the natural zodiac. However, intelligent debates and arguments are the formal job assigned to him. Virgo is the 6th house (arguments) of the natural zodiac and it is Mercury’s moolatrikona!
While saattwik and ethery Jupiter doesn't quite love the job of fiercely and fierily upholding dharma (by punishing demon king Bali in Vaamana avatara, for example), he does it with a sense of duty. But Mercury loves his official job! He loves engaging in intellectual debates. So Virgo (6th house of the natural zodiac) is not only his moolatrikona (office), but also his exaltation sign (favorite picnic spot). Still, "intelligent communications" (Gemini) is what he is most comfortable with (home).
Let us take one final example – Ketu. Ketu is most comfortable with occult activity, which are shown by the 8th house. So he owns the 8th house of the natural zodiac, i.e. Scorpio. His official duty, however, is giving upaasana (meditation) and moksha (liberation), which are shown by the 12th house. So his moolatrikona is in the 12th house of the natural zodiac, i.e. Pisces.
One should remember the above and understand the mood of a planet based on whether it is in own rasi or exaltation rasi or moolatrikona. Though all the three are good placements, there is a subtle difference in the mood of the planet and the results given by it.
Planetary Relationships
Natural Relationships
For each planet, its friends and enemies are found as follows: Take the moolatrikona of the planet. Lord of the rasi where it is exalted is its friend. Lords of 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th rasis from it are also its natural friends. Lords of other rasis are its natural enemies. If a planet becomes a friend and an enemy on account of owning two rasis, then it is a neutral planet. The list of friends, neutral planets and enemies of all planets is listed in Table 4.
Table 4: Natural relationships
Planet Friends (mitra) Nuetral (sama) Enemies (satru)Sun Moon, Mars, Jupiter Mercury Venus, SaturnMoon Sun, Mercury Mars, Jupiter, Venus,Saturn —Mars Sun, Moon, Jupiter Venus, Saturn MercuryMercury Sun, Venus Mars, Jupiter, Saturn MoonJupiter Sun, Moon, Mars Saturn Mercury, VenusVenus Mercury, Saturn Mars, Jupiter Sun, MoonSaturn Mercury, Venus Jupiter Sun, Moon, MarsTemporary Relationships
In addition to the permanent relationship, we have temporary relationships based on the planetary position in a chart. These temporary (tatkaala) relationships are specific to a chart.
Planets occupying the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th rasis counted from the rasi occupied by a planet are its temporary friends. Planet occupying other rasis are its temporary enemies.
Example 2: Let us consider Lord Sree Rama’s chart given in Figure 1 and find the temporary friends and temporary enemies of Sun and Moon.
Sun: Sun is in Ar. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th rasis counted from Ar are Ta, Ge, Cn, Cp, Aq and Pi. Planets in those rasis are Mercury, Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Venus. They are temporary friends of Sun in this chart. Saturn is the only temporary enemy.
Moon: Moon is in Cn. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 12th rasis counted from Cn are Le, Vi, Li, Ar, Ta and Ge. Planets in those rasis are Saturn, Sun and Mercury. They are temporary friends of Moon in this chart. Temporary enemies are Mars, Jupiter, Venus.
Note that Moon and Jupiter have the same temporary friends and temporary enemies. That is because they occupy the same rasi and temporary relationships are based on the rasis occupied by planets.
Compound Relationships
We get the compound relationships between planets by combining permanent and temporary relationships as shown in Table 5.
Table 5: Compound Relationships
Temporary friend Temporary enemyNatural friend Adhimitra (good friend) Sama (neutral)Natural neutral Mitra (friend) Satru (enemy)Natural enemy Sama (neutral) Adhisatru (bad enemy)Example 3: Let us continue from Example 2 and find the friends and enemies of Sun and Moon in Lord Sree Rama’s chart given in Figure 1.
Sun: We found in Example 2 that Sun’s temporary friends are Mercury, Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Venus. Of these, Moon, Mars and Jupiter are natural friends and they become adhimitras (good friends). Mercury is a neutral planet in natural relationship and he becomes a mitra (friend) in compound relationship. Venus is a natural enemy. Being a temporary friend, Venus becomes a sama (neutral) planet in compound relationship.
Saturn is the only temporary enemy of Sun. Being a natural enemy too, he becomes an adhisatru (bad enemy) of Sun.
Moon: We found in Example 2 that Moon’s temporary friends are Sun, Mercury and Saturn. Of these, Sun and Mercury are natural friends and they become adhimitras (good friends). Saturn is a neutral in natural relationship and he becomes a mitra (friend) in compound relationship.
Moon’s temporary enemies are Mars, Jupiter and Venus. They are all natural neutrals and they become satru (enemies) in compound relationship.
Whenever we refer to a planet being in a friendly house or an inimical house in the rest of this book, we mean the compound relationships. A planet occupying a rasi owned by a mitra or adhimitra is in a friendly house. A planet occupying a rasi owned by a satru or adhisatru is in an inimical house.

Rasis -Introduction

Rasis (signs)
Introduction
In the quick overview, we learnt that the zodiac of 360º is divided into 12 equal parts of 30º. We learnt these are called rasis (signs). We learnt the definition of rasis. Different rasis have different properties and they stand for different things. We will learn them in this small chapter.
Characteristics of Rasis
Limbs of Vishnu
The whole zodiac is nothing but a manifestation of Lord Vishnu’s body. Aries is the head. Taurus is the face. Gemini is the arms. Cancer is the heart. Leo is the stomach. Virgo is the hip. Libra is the space below navel. Scorpio is the private parts. Sagittarius is the thighs. Capricorn is the knees. Aquarius is the ankles. Pisces is the feet.
These are the limbs that rasis in the natural zodiac stand for. Because we are all part of the Supreme energy governing this world, the above mapping applies to us too. For example, we should pay attention to Leo for analyzing stomach problems and to Pisces for analyzing problems related to feet and so on.
Odd and Even
(1) Ar, Ge, Le, Li, Sg and Aq are called odd rasis or vishama rasis or oja rasis. They are also known as male rasis.
(1) Ta, Cn, Vi, Sc, Cp and Pi are called even rasis or sama rasis or yugma rasis. They are also known as female rasis.
This division is used in some dasas and in the determination of the sex of children.
Odd-footed and Even-footed
(1) Ar, Ta, Ge, Li, Sc and Sg are called odd-footed rasis or vishamapada rasis or ojapada rasis.
(1) Cn, Le, Vi, Cp, Aq and Pi are called even-footed rasis or samapada rasis or or yugmapada rasis.
This division is used in some dasas.
Movable, Fixed and Dual
(1) Ar, Cn, Li and Cp are known as chara rasis or movable rasis. They are ruled by Brahma, the Creator. Their nature is to move and to be dynamic.(1) Ta, Le, Sc and Aq are known as sthira rasis or fixed rasis. They are ruled by Shiva, the Destroyer. Their nature is to be stable and constant.
(1) Ge, Vi, Sg and Pi are known as dwiswabhava rasis or dual rasis. They are ruled by Vishnu, the Sustainer.They are stable sometimes and dynamic sometimes.
Rasis & Five Elements
According to Hindu philosophy, this world is made up of 5 elements – fire, water, air, earth and ether. Water is a substance with a flexible state. Air is a substance with a varying state. Earth is a substance with a constant and solid state. Fire is a substance that transforms the state of things. Ether is something that is present everywhere.
For example, suppose one has a good memory and remembers something he learnt 10 years back. It involves a skill of earthy nature. Suppose a poet’s imagination creates a nice poem that appeals to one’s aesthetic sense. This involves watery skills. Suppose one is in a bad mood and his mind is wandering aimlessly. This shows airy state of the mind. These 5 elements are behind every material substance, every action, every thought, every emotion and every happening in this universe.
(1) Ar, Le and Sg are called agni rasis or fiery rasis.(1) Ta, Vi and Cp are called bhoo rasis or earthy rasis.(1) Ge, Li and Aq are called vaayu rasis or airy rasis.(1) Cn, Sc and Pi are called jala rasis or watery rasis.
(1) The 5th element of aakaasa or ether is present in every rasi.
Let us see how these may be used. For example, the 5th house in one’s chart shows one’s emotional nature. The 5th house in a fiery sign may show a normally angry, aggressive or determined person. The 5th house in an earthy sign may show a balanced, logical and stable person. The 5th house in an airy sign may show someone with unstable and wandering emotions. The 5th house in a watery sign may show one with an imaginative and creative mind.
Indications of Rasis
Aries: Dynamic, enterprising, valiant, ruddy, head, forests, large forehead, hasty, impulsive, restless, thick eyebrows, leadership, overbearing, dry, lean, tall.
Taurus: Beautiful, face, stable, sluggish, loyal, meadows, plains, luxury halls, dining halls, eating places, fine teeth, large eyes, luxurious, faithful, thick hair, stout.
Gemini: Chest, garden, communication, journalism, schools, colleges, study rooms, cables, telephone, newspapers, tall, well-built, prominent cheeks, thick hair, broad chest, curious, learned, jovial.
Cancer: Heart, breast, watery fields, rivers, canals, kitchen, food, attractive, small build, emotional, deeply attached, mother-like, sensitive.
Leo: Stomach, digestion, navel, mountains, forests, caves, deserts, palaces, parks, forts, boilers, steel factories, thin, dry, hot, royal, self-pride, insolent, domineering.
Virgo: Hip, appendix, lush gardens, fields, orchards, libraries, bookstores, farms, intelligent, sharp, orator, nervous, physically weak, discretion, tactfulness.
Libra: Groins, Businessmen, markets, trade centers, banks, hotels, amusement parks, entertainment, toilets, cosmetics, balanced, wise, good talker.
Scorpio: Private parts, holes, deep caves, mines, garrages, small build, dusky complexion, bright eyes, secretive, scheming, occult, best friend or a worst enemy, peevish, sensitive.
Sagittarius: Thighs, royal, attorneys, government offices, aircraft, falling, sparse hair, muscular, deep eyes, uproght, honest, genial, gambler.
Capricorn: Knees, marsh lands, watery places, alligators, beasts, bushes, slender buils, long neck, prominent teeth, witty, perfectionist, patient, organizer, cautious, secretive, pragmatic.
Aquarius: Ankles, charity, philosophy, tall, bony, small eyes, mountain spring, places with water, ill-formed teeth, coarse hair, hard-working, stoic, honest.
Pisces: Feet, oceans, seas, prisons, hospitals, hermitages, short, plump, large eyes, large eyebrows, lazy, emotional, timid, honest, irresolute, talkative, intuitive.

About vedic astrology

About Vedic astrology
Materialistically speaking, India may not be a rich country today, but India has extremely rich cultural heritage. The depth of some of India's ancient knowledge (like astrology) is just amazing and it makes one wonder if the history of this great civilization is correctly represented in the pages of modern history. Astrology of India is the most comprehensive and complete system of astrology available today and it is the only one that comes close to answering the “twins puzzle” (namely, why are there so many twins in this world, who have a lot of significant differences between them). India's astrology can explain how twins can be different. The principles used in India's astrology are so sensitive to changes in birthtime that people born within 1-2 minutes can be significantly different in some aspects and similar in some others. This approach distinguishes between what a person truly is, what a person wants to be, what he thinks he is and what the world thinks he is. It has enough parameters, tools, techniques and degrees of freedom to model the extremely complicated human life.
This astrological approach is known in the world by many names. Early pioneers of modern Indian astrology, like Dr. B.V. Raman, called it “Hindu astrology”, because this system was first taught by ancient Hindu sages. However, some people do not like this expression because “Hindu” is not a Sanskrit word. This word was later coined by the western invaders from the name of a river flowing on the northwestern border of India (river “Sindhu” or “Indus”). They used the word “Hindu” to describe the land and the people on the eastern side of this river.
The religion practiced by a majority of Indians is known as “Hindu” religion today, but the fact is that there is no name for this religion in India's Sanskrit language, the language in which most of the literature of this religion – and astrology – appeared! Most other religions are known by the name of their main propagator, but India's ancient religion had no single propagator or prophet. This religion consisted of knowledge that revealed itself to spiritual masters of many generations. So there was no name for this religion and the word “Hindu” coined by western invaders was accepted by the world. However, as already stressed, this word finds no place in Sanskrit literature. Some people do not like using a non-Sanskrit word to describe India's astrology, considering that most of India's classical literature in astrology appeared in Sanskrit.
Later day authors came up with the name – “Vedic astrology". The word “Vedic” means “pertaining to Vedas". Vedas are the sacred scriptures of, what is known today as, Hinduism and they are supposed to contain knowledge of all subjects. Moreover, astrology in particular is supposed to be a “Vedaanga” (which means a limb of Vedas). In particular, it is said to be the eye of the Vedas. So the name “Vedic astrology” is becoming popular these days. This author also suggests using “Vedic astrology” or “Jyotish” (meaning “science of light"). Jyotishi is a practitioner of Jyotish, i.e. a Vedic astrologer.

About astrology

About astrology
Planets are constantly in motion with respect to earth in the skies. The positions of Sun, Moon and some planets close to earth can give important clues about the fortunes of individual human beings and groups of human beings. That is the basic premise of astrology. How exactly we can make guesses about the fortunes of individual human beings and groups of human beings based on the positions of those planets in the skies is the question that we will attempt to answer in these lessons. Astrology is the subject that deals with this question. There are many theories and philosophies in vogue and they are significantly different from each other.