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Jyotisha - Vedic Astrology
Jyotisha is India’s system of divination. It is sometimes referred to as Hindu or Vedic Astrology. The word Jyotisha means ‘Lord of light’ in Sanskrit. It is the study of the light that comes to us from the sun, moon, stars and planets, and the light that is present within our consciousness, the light that illuminates our daily perceptions and experience of our lives.
Jyotisha astrology is part of Vedic knowledge, the collected verbal wisdom handed down to us by the great Rishis, the seers of the Vedas. In Vedic circles, the knowledge contained in Jyotisha is called the Jyotir Vidya. This vidya is a force, or Shakti, and is regarded as a higher, living, intelligent entity.
The Six Limbs of Jyotisha Astrology
- Observational astronomy - observing the movement of the heavenly bodies
- Calculation - of movements of planets, stars, eclipses, conjunctions etc
- Natal astrology - the birth chart
- Horary astrology - which examines the astrological conditions at the time that a question is asked
- Electional astrology – to determine the best time to start an activity to ensure success
- The reading of omens
There are a number of forms of Jyotisha astrology including nadi astrology and tantric astrology.
Nadi astrology was devised by Seers long ago and was so precise that it was able to prepare horoscopes for people who would live in the future. An individual’s precise horoscope could be made thousands of years before their birth.
Tantric astrology includes yogic, tantric and shamanic methods, such as the use of rituals, the worship of elements, and various forms of meditation.
In Jyotisha it is the astrologer, the ‘Jyotishi’, who is critical to success with this science. To become a good Jyotishi, the student needs a Guru, teacher or mentor to explain the principles and demonstrate how to apply them. They also need some knowledge of Sanskrit language and Samkhya Philosophy, as these are the basis of many of the concepts used in Jyotisha.
It is also vital that a student of Jyotisha develops their intuition so that they develop beyond intellectual knowledge. Intuition can be developed through yoga practices such as pranayama, mantra and meditation.
Our potential life karma is mapped by the natal horoscope and the Jyotishi is the reader of this map. A good Jyotishi can see which areas of life may be strong, joyful and flowing, and which may be weak, problematic or blocked. A highly developed Jyotishi may offer possible remedies for negative karmas.
Many aspects of yoga and tantra are influenced by astrology. For example, initiation into mantra yoga is often given according to one ’s birth date. Hatha yoga is the science of balancing the solar and lunar forces in the body-mind in order to awaken the fire of consciousness. The yogi seeks to connect to and control cosmic forces through powerful practices within their own being. Most tantric practices are performed at certain lunar intervals, such as the full moon, or during certain seasons. Thus the yogi connects to and resonates with the cosmos in a conscious relationship with higher forces.
About the Author(s):
Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati is an eminent yoga Acharya (authority), medical doctor, yoga therapist and internationally acclaimed author. As a direct disciple of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, he lived in the Bihar School of Yoga India for 10 years (1974-1985), where he trained to teach the highest practices of yoga-tantra.
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