Indian astrology: a science or something beyond?
The history of Indian astrology dates back to the origin of the Vedas and Puranas and what lies beyond has been lost in ancient times. Modern scholars, however, dismiss Paura’s wealth of knowledge as mere imagination or guesswork.
The Puranas contain invaluable information on a large number of subjects such as history, astrology, Ayurveda, politics, religion, and spirituality. Scholars adhering to Pauranic knowledge systems have generally been severely restricted in their explorations due to their mastery of one or two subjects at most. In fact, only a scholar with a complete mastery of each of the classical knowledge systems can be considered eligible to study, explore and apply the science of Indian astrology effectively.
Puranas calculated time with the help of divisions like shaka and samvat. Based on the calculations of such time divisions, numerous calendars and panchangas have also been developed, showing that the history of the post-Mahabharata era can be recorded in a systematic chronological order without ambiguity.
Ancient Jyotish texts also give descriptions of Brahmanda (universe):-
Kotighna naravnand shatk narav bhubhrid bhubhujangendubhih
Jyotih shastra vido vadanti nabhasah kaksha mimam yojanaih
(Siddhanta Shiromani)
This excerpt can be translated thus:-
The Sun’s rays reach a maximum distance of 187120692000000000 Yojanas (a classical unit of measurement) which is known as the circumference diameter of Brahmanda paridhi (universe) or Akash Kaksha.
Within this circumference of Brahmanda, the primary prakash pindas (enlightened heavenly bodies) are situated in their heavenly orbits.
The Earth has been described in Siddhanta Shiromani thus:
Akrishya shaktishcha mahi tayaayat swasthe gurum swami mukham swaktayaa
Akrishyate yatyat teev bhati same samantat ripat twiyamrave
The excerpt can be translated thus:-
The Earth is endowed with the power of the gravitational force that helps to attract any object that moves upwards.
According to the ancient Jyotish texts, it would be incorrect to calculate the beginning of the day from midnight because in the calculation of horoscopes if the time of birth is even one second before sunrise, the calculations of the day and panchanga of the day are taken into consideration. yesterday. . For the calculation of Ishtkala too, the time of sunrise is of paramount importance.
Dinam Dineshasya yatoava darshane, tami tamo hanturdarshane sati
(Excerpt taken from Siddhanta Shiromani)
This excerpt can be translated thus:-
The presence and absence of the Sun in the sky are considered day and night respectively.
Another important point to note is that, contrary to popular perception, Jyotish cannot be equated with the term in astrology which is defined as the study of planetary movements as they relate to human affairs because Jyotish is an incomparably expansive field. comprising not only astronomy and astrology, but also various other related branches of study.
This has been amply clarified with the help of three main divisions of Jyotish, namely Siddhanta, which deals with the laws of planetary motion and their calculations, Samhita, which deals with the correlation of heavenly phenomena with terrestrial phenomena in the macrocosmic and microcosmic plane, and Hora, which deals with personal astrology encompassing muhurta, jataka, prasna, varshphal, and other branches of study.
This magnanimous science of Jyotish has its origin as one of the six Vedangas which include Nirukta, Nighantu, Vyakarana, Shiksha, Kalpa, Chand and Jyotish. A complete mastery of each of the six Vedangas is considered to be required before one can be eligible to begin the study of the Vedas themselves.
In the development of the tree of astrological knowledge Jyotish Shastra consists of the trunk or central portion with its roots originating from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and Tantra since they provide a complete knowledge of the basic elements of the science of astrology. There is a great need to improve this classical knowledge resource by following the tradition of research developed by Rishis and Munis of old, who made astonishing observations about the nature of the universe thousands of years ago.
The branches of this tree of astrological knowledge can be classified as Siddhanta, Samhita and Hora which provide information on different branches of Indian astrology. The Siddhanta Jyotish branch leaves can be classified as various branches of mathematical calculations including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and spherical astronomy. In Samhita, the leaves can be classified into various studies including the study of various omens such as the fall of a lizard, dream interpretations, natural disasters, Samudrika Shastra (study of natural formation and markings on body parts including palmistry), various positive and negative results of planetary movements and Vastu Shastra (the science of directions). In Hora, the sheets can be classified into various branches of astrology, including individual horoscopy, horary astrology, Muhurtas (elective astrology), Tajik study (annual horoscopy or varshphala), and the study of calculating panchangas.
The fruit of this tree of astrological knowledge can be defined as predictive astrology that provides information about everyone’s past, present and future. Today, with the rapid advancement of technology in modern times, astrologers have become dependent on computers for their calculations and predictions, instead of relying on this astrological tree of knowledge.
The knowledge of our Rishis and Munis in the science of Indian astrology from this statement:-
Our Rishis made a detailed investigation of the nature of the planets and heavenly bodies and it has been said about eclipses that:
Every time the Sun, Moon, and Earth form a linear alignment due to their celestial motion, it causes eclipses. A solar eclipse occurs when Rahu or Ketu come within a distance of 14 degrees or less from the Sun only on the day that falls on the cusp of Pratipada and Amavasya tithis. On the other hand, the lunar eclipse takes place only on the night that falls on the cusp of Purnima and Pratipada tithis. Each eclipse is repeated in the same position after 6585 days and 8 hours or 18 years 10 days and 8 hours. In this duration of 18 years, 10 days and 8 hours, a total of 71 eclipses occur, comprising 42 solar and 29 lunar eclipses. There are a total of 28 total solar eclipses of these, but it is visible in the same place after long periods of time.
The science of Indian astrology is based on scientific observations so precise that, if fully explored, it has greater potential even than that of an entire scientific discipline. With such incredible potential, the other end of the science of Indian astrology would always elude serious researchers in their explorations because, as a branch of knowledge, it is not restricted by any preconceived notions of modern science.
by Pt Sunil Sharma
Director