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Jyotisha
in Hindi and English usage Jyotish is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanga. The Sanskrit word
derives from jyótis (disjointed as "Ja"+"Ya"+"O"+"T"+"ish" to get the root meaning as "water or birth"+"in
addition to" + "earth" and "stars" + "knowledgeable" equating as one who is knowledgeable, or enlightened with knowledge,
of birth, fate, and relationship to water, earth and stars) or which means "light, brightness", but in the plural
also "the heavenly bodies, planets and stars". Jyotish may thus at one level be seen to signify a "science of heavenly bodies".
However, as the singular purpose of jyotish and the vedas is to dispel the darkness of ignorance, it is more commonly taken
to signify the "science of light". Indeed, Jyotish has historically been part of a continuous "holistic" approach to living
and to spiritual practice within the life of Hindus predominant in India. Jyotish is often discussed as the instructional
element of the Rig Veda, and as such is a Vedanga, or "body part" of the Vedas. Jyotish is called the Eye of the Veda, for
its believed ability to view both phenomenal reality and wisdom itself. Part of a larger Vedic curriculum including mathematics,
architecture, medical and military applications, it superficially has much in common with ancient and modern Western astrology
(and the early traces of the descent of various schools of astrology from the Harappan and Egyptian cultures, Chinese and
the Chaldean, through the Arabs, Greeks, and early Romans show complex interweavings that are assessed variously by diverse
camps of scholars -- who, however, currently find little common ground as to the exact historical development). Jyotish has
many facets, and some of its basics are clearly also cornerstones of Western astrology, such as symbolically endowed signs,
houses and planets. But Jyotish has its own sophisticated reference to the noumenal: the planets are "grahas", forces that
seize or act upon created beings and influence their actions and life. As Hindus believe that humans have ups and downs in
life because of karma, many use Jyotish to understand the downs in life due to the influence of planets, i.e., Navagraha and
perform religious ceremonies to mitigate the bad karma.
Foundations
Jyotish's many lineages or paramparas
emphasize that its study is a sadhana or technique of mental and existential development. In modern times it is a chief source
of reference for many Hindus and other spiritual practitioners. In addition to sustaining its own lore, commentary and debates
on the dilemmas of fate and free will and the philosophy of karma, jyotish maintains a virtual materia medica of remedies
for difficulties found in horoscopes. Vedic astrologers will frequently prescribe special stones, or specific therapeutic
practices or meditation techniques using mantras to those facing difficult or unclear futures as predicted by means consistent
with Jyotish methodology. In past centuries, Brahmins have been the primary practitioners of Jyotish. In the last century,
a renaissance of study of Jyotish and other Vedic sciences emerged in India and the west. The foundation of jyotish is the
notion of bandhu of the Vedas, which is the connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. Surya, the Sun, is a manifestation
of Vishnu, a central aspect of the Supreme, and is also the Atman within man. The term "Vedic astrology" has been recently
introduced by American and Western astrologers in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to collaborative organizations such as the
now-international Council of Vedic Astrology. Jyotish is still commonly used to aid in important decisions in modern India.
In Hindu culture, newborns are traditionally named based on their jyotish charts, and jyotish concepts are pervasive in the
organization of the calendar and holidays as well as in many areas of life and science. Astrology is vital to decisions made
about marriage, opening a new business, and moving into a new home.
Hindu and Western astrology
The most easily referred to difference between the two lies in the method
of measurement of the Zodiac. Vedic astrology uses primarily the sidereal zodiac (in which stars are considered to be the
fixed background against which the motion of the planets is measured), whereas most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac
(the motion of the planets is measured against the position of the Sun on the Spring equinox). This difference becomes only
noticeable over time, after the course of several centuries, as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. Synchronically,
the two systems are identical, with just a shift of the origin of the ecliptic longitude by about 22 degrees or days, resulting
on the placement of planets in the previous sign in Western charts about 80% of the time. Both Jyotish and Western traditions
have existed for millennia. Vedic astrology includes several nuanced sub-systems of interpretation and prediction incorporating
unique sacralized elements not found elsewhere, such as its specific system of lunar mansions (called nakshatras, encompassing
a pantheon of archetypal deities). The nakshatras are used to pick auspicious times of day or month for every human activity
as well as to provide insight into the motivations and guiding characteristics of humans and events coming under their influence.
Nakshatra cycles, or dashas, are developing a reputation in contemporary culture for the accuracy with which they time events.
A further unique concept in jyotish not seen in Western astrology is the concept of Dashas - a mathematical analyses that
breaks down human or the subject's lifetime into various sub-periods based on the location of Moon at birth. Predictions in
jyotish incorporate various elements around the birth chart - influences of transits (similar to Western Astrology though
more focused on houses or bhavas) as well as Dashas.
Fundamentals of Jyotisha
Jyotish is based on what Western astrologers call the whole house
system and recognizes nine grahas (heavenly bodies or "planets"): Abbreviation Sanskrit Name English Name Represents Sy or
Su Surya Sun Soul Ch or Mo Chandra Moon Mind Ma Mangala or Angaraka or Kuja Mars energetic action, confidence and ego Bu or
Me Budha Mercury Communication Gu or Ju Guru or Brihaspati Jupiter the great teacher Sk or Ve Sukra Venus wealth, pleasure
and reproduction Sa Sanaiscarya, Shani, or Sani Saturn learning the hard way. Career and Longevity Ra Rahu Ascending/North
Lunar Node often described as a demon who does his best to plunge any area of one's life he controls into chaos Ke Ketu Descending/South
Lunar Node supernatural influences They also recognize twelve zodiac signs, or Rashis: Number Sanskrit Name Western Name 1
Mesha Aries 2 Vrishabha Taurus 3 Mithuna Gemini 4 Karka Cancer 5 Simha Leo 6 Kanya Virgo 7 Tula Libra 8 Vrishchika Scorpio
9 Dhanus Sagittarius 10 Makara Capricorn 11 Kumbha Aquarius 12 Meena Pisces One's Ascendant, or lagna, the rashi which is
rising on the eastern horizon at the time of one's birth, is the most influential and important one. Of lesser importance
but still some impact is the Janma Rashi, the rashi in which the moon lay while one was born. There are three different Jyotish
chart notations, which are functionally equivalent but quite different in appearance. The following images show the same birth
chart in the two main notations - North Indian and South Indian. The third notation is followed in Eastern parts of India.
The charts are broken into twelve sections, houses or Bhavas, each of which is related to a rashi in an equal house system.
In the North Indian notation, the house positions are fixed (1st house top middle, with the rest following in counterclockwise
order) and the signs of the zodiac are indicated by numbers in the chart (1 for Aries, and so on). Conversely, in the South
Indian notation, the signs of the zodiac have fixed positions (Aries always occupies the 2nd box from the left in the top
row, with the rest following in clockwise order), and the first house is marked "As" (for ascendant) with the rest following
in clockwise order.
What to do on specific weekdays - Vedic / Hindu astrological guidance
Vedic or Hindu astrology provides detailed guidance as to which activity fructify on specific weekdays. In Hindu
system, a weekday starts from the local Sunrise & ends at the following Sunrise, which is distinct from the Gorgian calendar
in which a weekday along with date starts at expiry of 1200 a.m. of the Zonal Standard Time. Seven days a week system is prevalent
throughout the world. Weekdays are given due importance in selection of election as the desired work which easily gets fructified
(Siddhi) when its day lord is strong, the same work does not get fructified when day lord is weak / powerless, even after
extra efforts & facing of discomforts. To fortify election, a strong day lord (planet) should be properly placed in the
election chart. Based on nature & signification of the weekday, day lord (ruling planet), tutelary lord and other electional
considerations following works (& works related to the mentioned items) are recommended for conduction & initiation
in different weekdays. It is opined that on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday all types of works fructify; while on
Sunday, Tuesday & Saturday only prescribed activities fructify. Here is the list of works which aspirants should do on
different weekdays. SUNDAY: Coronation, service to the government / king, king worship, fire, fire related works, weapon making
& usage, war, bravery, service & employment, travel, thief, doctor, transaction of medicine, purchase of cows, bullocks
& animals, gold-silver-copper-wood-works, bones-skin-hides, auspicious (Manglik) works, Yagya, teaching Mantras (Agni
Mantras), religious discourse, music learning, woolen clothes, wearing of new clothes, mountain, stones, dessert, forest,
trees, usage of forest items, snake, animal rearing & husbandry, food grain, trade. MONDAY: Agriculture, farming, gardening,
fragrant trees, lotus & flowers, milk, food, food-grains, sugar, sugarcane, raw sugar / molasses, Yagya, ornament making
& wearing, silver, deer, sale & purchase of cows - buffaloes, gems-pearl & shells, conch-shell, singing &
dancing- starting thereof, water related works, popular works, movable works, starting of education, night movements, benefit
to mother’s brother, Brahmins, article causing phlegm, clothes, female related works, king, road. TUESDAY: Killing,
arresting, inciting insurgency, cruel works, piercing, army commanding, treaty, backing off treaty / agreement, fort, igniting
fire, weapon, storing of war material, poison, lying, deception, thief, thievery, coral, gold related works & collection
thereof, metal work, forest, night worker, doctor, ascetic / religious mendicant, treasurer, business of catching snakes,
animal, trees with red coloured flowers, red colour items, works related to blood. WEDNESDAY: Fine arts, literature-music-
dancing & starting thereof; poetry, sculpturing, all type of art, theater, education, writing, learning of Vedas, idol
making, Mantra Kriya, meritorious works, marriage, friendship, starting of fast, holy bathing, trade, clever works, ordinary
works, science, metal work, war, argument, intelligence, skill, ingenuity, messenger, physical exercise, collection of articles,
juices & food grains, green sapphire, earth, clothes, fragrant articles, works which end fast - works which take long
time – works which finish in the middle. THURSDAY : Auspicious (Manglik) works, Yagya, Havan, worshipping, peaceful
religious works, fast, oblation to the deads (Pitri Sharadh) , temple, installing of idol, Alankaar, education, knowledge
related works, learning in general, Shaastras, truthful works, wearing new clothes & trading thereof, ornaments, starting
living in house, doctor, medicine, trading in medicine, physical works, health related works, physical works, development
& expanding works, king, wealth, trees, gold, silver, elephant, horse, bullock, transport, travel. FRIDAY: Good for starting
dance, music, singing painting; luxurious works, festivals, wearing new clothes & ornaments, friendship, worshipping sex
God (Kamdev), females, passionate women, sex, passion, prostitutes, beds, increase in semen, fragrance, comedy, laughter,
cows, trade related to food grain & agriculture, farming, selling & purchase of land, sugar cane, juicy foods, gems,
gold, silver, coffer, transport, lotus, earth, medicine. SATURDAY : Entering into new house & city, trading with deceit
& forgery, telling lies, dreadful deeds, insurgency, works related to obstruction, trading of arms & ammunition, poisoning,
bereft of courtesy, usage of iron & steel, arm & armory, dead, servant, debased person, old persons, thief, buffalo,
camel, birds, trapping of elephant, stable works, profession related to capturing, collection of houses, departure, broken
utensils, glass, stones, learning secret Mantras from Guru (Deeksha), service. According to Sage Narad, Acharya Garga, Ramdeen,
& host of other exponents it is opined that it is beneficial & augurs fortunate effects to initiate & conduct
works related to iron on Saturdays. With this the learned readers may help remove doubts / superstition in certain parts of
the country that purchase or sale of iron items, & doing works related to iron (steel) on Saturdays is inauspicious. LOGICS
FOR SELECTION OF WEEKDAYS Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus & Saturn in order are the rulers of the weekdays. Depending
upon the inherent natures of the ruling planets, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday are auspicious, benefic & good
days; while Sunday, Tuesday & Saturday in general are malefic & cruel days. Tuesday & Saturday are maximum malefic,
while Sunday is partially malefic. Auspicious & Manglik works are done on benefic days; while cruel, sinful (Paap Karamas),
unethical works in general; & the specified works are done on Saturday, Tuesday & Sunday. Some benefic works also
fructify on malefic days depending upon the nature of the work & special dictums regarding election (Muhurt). There is
no very tight demarcation of the allocated works for the weekdays, and the day is selected based on the type of work, planet
signifying the work, time of starting & host of other factors related to the weekday. Nature of Sunday is fixed / stationary;
of Monday is movable; of Tuesday is cruel; of Wednesday is mixed / ordinary; of Thursday is small / short; of Friday is sweet;
& of Saturday is sharp / horrible. When constellation (occupied by the Moon) & day lord are of same nature then, the
combined efficacy increases many folds – like when asterisms of Rohini & 3 Uttras coincide on a Sunday; fixed /
stationary types of works fructify. Thursday, Friday & Sunday are effective during daytime; Monday, Tuesday & Saturday
are effective during night-time while Mercury is effective both during daytime & night-time. Malefic effect of Sunday,
Tuesday & Saturday does not exist after mid-day. Some opine that “Vaar Dosha”(evil effects of weekday) does
not prevail during night. Colour of the work: Consistent with the colour of the ruling planet of the day, it is beneficial
to conduct work with that colour on the weekday ruled by the planet .The Sun’s colour is red mixed with black or blood
red; Moon’s - white; Mars’ - pale red; Mercury’s - grass green; Jupiter’s - yellow; Venus’s
- swarthy (dark skin) & Saturn’s - black. Wearing of the clothes of the above stated colours during planets’
weekdays is beneficial to the user. Aspirant may also use colours ruled by the rulers of the weekdays. Some opine that, copper-red,
white, ultra red, blue, ultra yellow, variegated (mixed, spotted) & black are the colours ruled by the planets from the
Sun to Saturn. Like for election of white washing / painting of a house certain criteria have been laid down. Meeting those
requirements, the colour of the white washing / painting if done in yellow on Thursday or in green shade on Wednesday, enhances
the beneficence. Similar guidance is taken in respect of other usages of the colours. Saturday is not recommended to sow seeds,
but is considered fruitful to sow seeds of black grains, more profitable if Saturn is in the rising sign.
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