Astrology : The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.
Jyothisha : It roughly translates to “Science of Light”. The term Jyotisha includes the study of astronomy, astrology and the science of timekeeping using the movements of astronomical bodies.

Jyothisha is an integral part of Hindu Dharma. Considered to be a Vedanga (limbs of Vedas) which is one of the six auxiliary disciplines associated with the Vedas, referred to as the eye of the Vedas. The technology behind Jyothisha is a result of multiple centuries of systematic observations, Mathematical calculations and encoding these information in mantras, stories or ancient folklores.
A notable example of such story is of Chandra who married 27 daughters of Daksha and had promised that he will love all of them equally, however he was more fond of Rohini, which caused others to feel concerned. The other 26 complained to Sage Daksha and he cursed Chandra that his power will decline by each day and he be inflicted with a disease. Chandra sought help from Siva on this situation , although siva said that he cannot reverse Sage’s curse, he gave a boon that he will an increase in brightness for 15 days in Shukla Paksha and will get decrease in brightness (Waning moon) for 15 days in Krishna Paksha . You will fill the world with your radiance on full moon days (Purnima) and disappear on new moon days (Amavasya). In reality, these 27 wives are a code for 27 lunar mansions or Nakshatras, each associated with a specific star. These Nakshatras are used for more detailed analysis of a person’s birth chart. This also is a building block of the Hindu calendar.

Jyothisha : The hindu philosophers saw the zodiac belt from the background of the stars and the movement of that.This caused a shift in the zodiac belt with about 23-24 degrees between the west and hindu astrology system which makes it slightly different in terms of predictions and effects.Indian astrology uses a sidereal zodiac, which is based on the actual positions of the constellations in the sky.

Jyothisha has two parts : Phalitha and Ganitha

Phalitha : Predictive using the given positions with Rashi, Graha and the charts.
Ganitha: Calculated – involves mathematics. If you did not know mathematics, you could not be an astrologer. 

How does all this work ?
When a baby is born you note down the time, there is a map of the sky above at that current time. This is done by position of grahas, stars and sun. This map is highly specific to your current geographical location, and can be divided into 12 parts. Based on the 12 houses (Rashi) and the state of the stars, planets or celestial bodies (grahas) that become your chart. Each Graha has a significant role for e.g, the first house represents your personality, the second house represents your marriage etc.

What is a Graha : Astral projection of physical Planets / Means to Grasp , which means it will grasp your attention or vice versa. There are 9 of them in the Jyothisha system.

This astrological chat is also believed to represent a soul’s journey till the time they took this birth, so it’s a likely scenario of what can happen in this life. In many parts of India, this is also written as Jathakam’s – Horoscopes. This is basically a prediction : can be used to understand, do predictive maintenance but primarily serves as a cheat-sheet to understand ones journey, tendencies and problems. This however is not always fixed, there are various ways to perform remedy which are called ‘Pariharas’. This shall also be seen as a time vector which can be entirely changed with self realization, careful sadhanas and consistent relationship with your devatas.

In short : The pressure from the past and pull from the future is what determines your current state in time. On the same lines, Smd Bhagavad Gita also states (Gahana Karmano Gatih – unfathomable are the ways of karma! How things actually work are indeed beyond common sense and it is impossible to explain the occurrence of certain events).

Types of Karma that will reflect in a horoscope.

• Dhrida Karma : Fixed Karma , cannot be changed.
• Dhrida-Adrida : Remedy (parihara), if cannot be remediated, the effect could be minimized.
• Adrida Karma : Mostly Tendencies can be easily changed using will power.

Jyothisa often interconnected with other traditional sciences like Ayurveda, is used to understand individual’s constitution and potential health issues, and Ayurveda remedies may be recommended based on astrological insights.

Space in which planets revolve around the Sun is divided into 12 parts by taking the Sun in the center. One part is termed as a Zodiac Sign (or ‘Rashi’) in Vedic Astrology. We all know that one revolution constitutes 360° & this way its twelfth part (i.e. ‘Rashi’) would constitute 360°/12=30°. The names of 12 zodiac signs or rashi’s are as follows: – 

1. Aries or Maish :  Represents self , Mars is the lord of Aries. Mars represents power, activeness and gives energy.
2. Taurus or Vrish : Represents wealth & family, Venus is the lord of Taurus. Venus represents glory and materialistic pleasures and luxury
3. Gemini or Mithun : Represents siblings, courage, valor etc. Mercury is the lord of Gemini. Mercury blesses with intelligence and cleverness.
4. Cancer or Kark : Represents Mother/Happiness etc. Moon is itself the lord of cancer.
5. Leo or Singh : Represents children/knowledge. Sun is the lord of Leo.
6. Virgo or Kanya : Represents enemies/debt/diseases. Buddha/Mercury is the lord of Virgo. Hence mercury is the lord of two signs.
7. Libra or Tula : Represents Marriage / Partnership .Venus is the lord of Libra. Hence Venus is the lord of two signs. These two signs are Taurus and Libra.
8. Scorpio or Vrishchik : Represents Longevity, life , ayu bhava. Mars is the lord of Scorpio.
9. Sagittarius or Dhanu : Represents luck, father , religion etc. Jupiter is the lord of Sagittarius.
10.  Capricorn or Makar: Represents career / profession. Saturn is the lord of Capricorn.
11. Aquarius or Kumbh : Represents income & gains. Saturn is the lord of Aquarius.
12. Pisces or Meen : Represents expenditure, losses. Jupiter is the lord of Pisces.

Grahas might be confused with planets, and then you see references to sun moon etc which will be conflicting with that definition, so the best way to understand that is that they are graspers of your consciousness or your astral projections.

Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangala/Kuja), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brihaspati / Guru), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Point in Space : Rahu (north node of the moon), and Ketu (south node of the moon)

1. Sun/Surya : First of the planet, sun may represent the government , father leadership, fame etc. A strong sun would mean that the individual is confident. at a certain level it also represents your soul . It also is connected to Rama. 
2. Moon/Chandra : It often fluctuates, so it represents the mind. A strong moon would mean that a person has a lot of emotional self control. Moon is also connected to Krishna.
3. Mercury/Buddha : Very youthful/playful , always young. Good with humor, talent , communication , academics (powerful in Kanya, Weak in Pisces). Buddha connects to Vishnu. Blessings will help with academics.
4. Mars/Mangal/Kuja : General Warrior among the graha, represents fire, blood, etc.(powerful in Makar , weak when it’s in Cancer) Mars connects to Hanumanji, also to Murugan/Karthikeya. It can also represent certain manglik characters when looked from a partner perspective.
5. Venus / Shukra : Venus governs all artistic & aesthetic qualities. A strong venus means one will be very passionate. (comes from Shukracharya – gave maha mritunjaya mantra). Venus also influences the ability to do Yoga. Venus connects to Lakshmi.
6. Guru/Jupiter : Guru among planets, it doesn’t like unethical things, relates to weight and presence. Expand and digest experiences (Jupiter strong in cancer and it becomes very weak when it’s placed in Capricorn) Connects to Ganapathy.
7. Saturn / Shani : Karmic Graha. Very humble, hates elitism. Represents Discipline and is a taskmaster, likes people who are hardworking. (negative shani means they will be very lazy- more lazy, more trouble hence more effect of Shani). Shani likes humility, justice. 
8. Rahu : Rahu an asura after the churning of the ocean Cosmic ocean was done then there was Amrita that came out which makes you immortal disguises himself and goes the gods he disguises himself and he sits and he takes a bit of that in his mouth okay immediately there is a Vishnu there he understands that this is a Asura so he uses his sudarshan and cuts off his head so the Amrita comes into his mouth doesn’t go into the body so two parts come out one is the head and Ketu the tail. Rahu can give courage, sometimes create an illusion, be extremely brave, and grasp attention very quickly. Related to conspiracy. Technology is rahu. Connects to Maa Durga/ Bhairava.
   Rahu is the veil between the worlds that you can see and cannot see. Causes eclipse of sun and moon. Help you dominate the enemies.
9. Ketu : Headless planet , Ketu governs all mystical experiences, detachment , is mindless and irrational. Graha of intuition (Connects to Ganesha as he had his head replaced)

There is also a concept of KaraKatva’s which roughly translates to lordship. There are some natural affinity to certain aspects of each graha, however there are some functional lordship which works when presented during an interaction/affinity/effect with other Graha’s.

The central tool in Indian astrology is the birth chart or Kundli, which is a map of the celestial bodies at the time of a person’s birth. It is used for predicting various aspects of one’s life, including career, relationships, and health.
Indian astrology uses planetary periods known as dashas and sub-periods called bhuktis to analyze and predict different phases in a person’s life. The length and order of these periods are determined by the position of the Moon at the time of birth.
Certainly, let’s delve a bit deeper into some of the key aspects of Indian astrology:

The Dasha system is a unique feature of Vedic astrology. It divides a person’s life into major periods (Mahadashas) and sub-periods (Antardashas) associated with specific planets. The sequence and duration of these periods are determined by the position of the Moon at the time of birth.

Yogas are specific combinations of planets in a birth chart that are believed to influence various aspects of an individual’s life. For example, some yogas are considered auspicious for wealth, health, and success, while others may indicate challenges or obstacles.

Muhurta is the branch of Indian astrology that deals with selecting auspicious timings for important events such as weddings, business ventures, and other significant undertakings. It involves analyzing the positions of planets to ensure a favorable outcome.

Planetary transits, or the movement of planets through the zodiac, are considered important in predicting events and influences on an individual’s life. The impact of transiting planets on natal positions is analyzed to understand potential changes or challenges.

Karma In addition to predictions about worldly matters, Vedic astrology also addresses spiritual aspects. It recognizes the concept of karma, suggesting that one’s actions in past lives influence the current life. Astrology is seen as a tool to understand and navigate the challenges presented by past karma.

Panchanga is an Indian calendar that provides important astrological information such as tithi (lunar day), vara (weekday), nakshatra (lunar mansion), yoga, and karana. It is used to determine auspicious and inauspicious timings for various activities.

This is only the initial building blocks of Jyothisha, this blog is a compilation of various knowledge bits obtained from the following sources

• Explanations from Various speech from Sri Rajarshi Nandy
• Panchang websites like prokerala, drikpanchang
• Astrology books

Tagged : astrology / dasha / horoscope / indian astrology / jyotish / vedas