Vedic Astrology

Vedic astrology or more popularly known as Jyotisa, Indian astrology and Hindu astrology beforehand is actually the ancient Indian system of astronomy as well as astrology. Basically, it has three branches: the Siddhanta, Samhita and Hora.

The first branch, the Siddhanta, is actually the Indian astronomy. Then Samhita is the Mundane astrology that actually predicts or foretells important events based on the horoscope or transit events or happenings of a particular country. Finally, the Hora, is the predictive astrology that deals with queries as well as natal horoscopes.

Brief History of Vedic Astrology

The history of Vedic astrology is typically associated with the interaction of Indian and Hellenistic cultures during the Indo-Greek period and at the same time with the fondness of Hindus themselves to imagination and what the future may bring.

For the record, the oldest surviving writings about Vedic astrology date back to the early centuries CE.

Elements of Vedic Astrology

Vedic astrology is basically composed of four elements: Rashi, Bhava, Graha, and Nakshatra.

Rashi or the Signs (Zodiac)

Rashi or more popularly known as the signs refers to the twelve famous Zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Basically, Rashi was derived based on the 360 degrees of the ecliptic and at the same time from the sidereal zodiac in which the signs are aligned with their eponymous constellations.

Bhava or the Houses

Bhava or the houses is the second element in the Vedic astrology. This actually refers to the zodiacal divisions according to local time and location.

Generally, there are 12 houses in the Vedic astrology and all of which do have meanings and significance:

Lagna - appearance, health, character, purpose of life, and nature of native
Dhana - domestic comforts, early education, inheritance, wealth, and family
Parākrama - communication, intelligence, later education, short journeys, younger siblings
Suhṛda - home, property and land, surrounding in old Age, mother, and education
Suta - recreation, devotion, speculation and gambling, children, lover, and creativity
Ripu/Roga - litigation, servants, mental worries, health, maternal uncle and aunt, and enemies
Kāma - death, trade, agreement, honor,reputation, spouse, and business partner
Mrityu - failure, family of spouse, dowry, sex, longevity, inheritance, and imprisonment
Bhāgya - religion, mentor, father, prosperity luck, higher learning, and traveling
Karma - mother-in-law, government and business profession, status, power, and father
Āya - club or social Activities, elder brothers and sisters, friends, hopes, earnings, and daughter/Son-in-law
Vyaya - private enemies, imprisonment, hospitals, expenses, sleep, donations, and foreign stay

Graha or the Planets

Graha or the planets are the heavenly bodies or points that are believed to have great impacts on human life. In Vedic astrology, there are two luminaries, two lunar nodes and five visible planets included on the element Graha. Unfortunately, the extra-saturnine planets Uranus and Neptune are not included in the list.

Generally, the Graha in Vedic Astrology includes the Sun, Moon, Head of Demon Snake, Tail of Demon Snake, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Nakshatra or the Lunar Mansions

Nakshatra basically refers to the lunar mansions and is akin to the zodiacs. Similarly, like the zodiacs, Nakshatra represents a division of the ecliptic, of 13 degree 20 minutes each. And just like other elements, it also plays a role in Astrological match making, Praśna, Muhurta, and Panchanga affairs.

Horoscope

Horoscope in Vedic astrology, deals with Lasagna, Drishti, Argala, Arudha, Yoga, and Shadbala.

Lasagna or the ascendant, refers to the rashi which is the most influential and important and typically rises on the eastern horizon at the time of one’s birth. Drishti, which is the aspect, is something that is of paramount importance in Vedic astrology. Basically it interlinks the planets with each other and at the same time connects one sign to another.

Argala, the intervention, refers to the support provided to one to another and relates to a signifier when different houses are linked. Arudha, the mounted image, pertains to a sign falling on another due to some rays emanating or reflecting. Yoga, on the other hand, is the planetary combinations. Common yoga kinds are the Chandra, Dhana, and Raja. Finally, Shadbala, is the sixth fold strength that depicts effects of planets on the natives’ lives.

Birth Charts and Panchangam

Birth charts and Panchangam are two important mediums in Vedic astrology. Birth chart is the medium for determining or ascertaining the rashi or the signs and bhava or houses. Panchangam on the other hand, is the Hindu astrological almanac or calendar, which is a medium for ascertaining some significant astronomical data in tabulated form.