Micro Astrology

 - B.K. Kumar

Jyotish is one of six Vedanga.  Vedangas means limb of Veda. There are six Vedangas namely Siksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa.  Vedangas are supporting tool for understanding four Vedas - Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.  Siksha deals with the study of sounds and pronunciation associated with each syllable; Chhanda with the mastery of rhyme and meter; Vyakarna with the study of word and sentence structure; Nirukta with the meaning of complex words and phrases; Jyotisha deals with the astronomical and astrological aspects of fixing auspicious date and time to perform various Vedic rites and rituals. The auspicious time is usually determined based on the position of the luminous heavenly bodies (jyotis) namely the sun, the moon, the stars and others; and Kalpa with the ethical, moral and procedural percepts associated with the performance of rituals as a way of life.  It is said that Jyotish is called as ‘eye of Veda’. Veda word has been formed by ‘Vid’ root word which means ‘to know’. Thus, meaning of Veda is KNOWLEDGE. Vedas are Apaorusheya (not man made).  Vedas are eternal and It is believed that It is God who brings out this divine knowledge in the inception of creation and Satparishs were the earliest recipients of this knowledge transferred by God in the benefit of world.

 

Vedas provide us with a glimpse of the macrocosmic and microcosmic aspects of our creation and existence and serve as a connecting link between the gods of the higher realms and humans as they are common to both. They reveal the knowledge of gods and our own inner subtle planes, where also most of the gods reside in subtle form and assist us in our spiritual awakening. The Vedas are not mere magical chants to appease gods or seek their blessings, but cryptic prayers in which are hidden many mysteries and symbols.  They do produce magical results in the physical worlds although that is not the only reason why they have been revealed to us.  Vedas are not compilation of pages having groups of difficult Sanskrit words.  These cover each and every aspect of life in its own way.  It is our limitation that we fail to understand the same and get swayed in the liquidity of Vedic encrypted words. Veda will never be understood fully by even a Pandit until and unless he attains the level of those Maharshi.  Because, Veda is direct gyan, say wisdom, assimilated by great Mantra Drashta on having their enlightenment.  Direct gyan cannot be expressed fully in words. With this view, always there will be wide scope of misunderstanding the Vedas.  However, to great extent it can be understood in its spirit.  Since  Jyotish also finds its root in Vedas so, this subject will always be misunderstood until an astrologer attain the required level of consciousness. 

For me Jyotish means 'Jyoti' is 'Ishwara'.  Jyoti i.e. light.  Light is something that dispels darkness.  Gyan is something that dispels darkness of Agyana.  So, Jyotish gives impression that gyan is Ishwara (God).   In mundane sphere Jyotish gives gyan of this life and its purpose, progression, course of events etc.  It is crystal clear that Jyotisha makes space for freewill as for getting Gyan, one has to choose and do the right karma.   Thus, Jyotish says that on applying rational force whatever is chosen for doing right karma to get wisdom, is Ishwara.   Ishwara is said to be regulator of this cosmos. So, gyan of this cosmos is the gyan of God.  Symbolically, Jyoti is referred as Soul also.   The call of soul is call of Ishwara. Soul has natural tendency to merge within Him.  For this, right karmas are required to be done.   Therefore, Jyotish advocates choosing right karma and listening the call of soul sincerely.  Jyotish helps in understanding the mission of life and purpose of incarnation of soul on this earth planet.

To understand the essence of Vedic Astrology, there is need of understanding Indian Vedic Culture.  Culture can be defined as the deepest insight about life and its highest aspirations, produced by the will in order to be the master of its inner and external nature. Culture is like fragrance of beautiful flower. Beautiful Flower represents Civilization whereas Culture is fragrance.  Vedic Culture carries the fragrance of beautiful flower of Vedic Civilization.  This Indian Vedic Culture has been formulated on the basis of teachings of Vedas by our great saints of vedic times on understanding human’s  beastly traits (Prakriti).  Human is always susceptible to move away from his values.  He is intricately trapped in Shad dosha – kama  (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (delusion), mada (pride) and ahamkara (ego) and has tendency to fall downward (Vikriti).   On observing such traits, great sociologist Rishi weaved society in such a way that human can be prevented from falling or deviating from his Dharma (duty) & Karma (responsibility).  For prevention from fall and leading life on supreme values (samskriti), they advised to practice Vedic Commandments in life so that harmonious state in cosmos can be achieved and let the incarnated soul complete his mission.  

In Bhartiya Vedic Culture, astrology (Jyotisha) was part and parcel of human life.  Practical astrological teachings were in-built in the Vedic Culture  in India so that, Bhartiya can knows his right dharma and accordingly right karma. They had fair idea of how the bad karmas are to be dissipated.   Still now old person in our home or society has better awareness for tithi, nakshatra, Muhurta etc. People of Vedic Samskriti had fair idea of ‘their station and their duty’.  Astrology (Jyotisha) studies the destiny and advises accordingly for exercising freewill.  If we deeply see the aspect of destiny and freewill, for understanding the worth of remedies and dissipation of evil effect of past karma, we ultimately reach one culminating point that it is always better to follow the rule ‘ My Station and My Duty’.  For dissipation of bad karma one is required to watch the events with Drashta Bhava( i.e consciousness for this moment – now) and act accordingly by putting 100% effort.  ‘My Station’, i.e Present condition, position in this moment, circumstances at Now etc,  represents Destiny influence on our life and ‘My Duty’, i.e rational force, chosen karma, will to put in 100% and  freewill to be executed in harmonious way to achieve the purpose.  Hindus of Vedic times were cultured in such a way that his acts were in harmony with the cosmos and its principles.  Hinduism is a spirit that carries the sense of Karma and Dharma – Duty and Responsibility.  Broadly, if only these two principles are adopted honestly in life, the very purpose of astrology will get satisfied.  Such ‘cultured hindu astrologer’ (any citizen can be such eternal Hindu) will be great Vedic astrologer and will be capable to explain Hindu astrology of Vedic times in fair way.

Presently, of course, Vedic Astrology (Bhartiya Jyotisha) is not in the same form as it was in that time.  In the course of time, due to obvious reasons, changes came.  Change is desirable because Jyotish Phaladesh depends on Desha, Kaala and Patra.  But some changes came due to its missing links lost during invasions in India. This loss is great loss to Vedic astrology. Further, lots of astrological principles of that time got lost and suppressed also.  This gap is pathetic for the lover of astrology.  It is very difficult to fill this gap by today’s materialistic astrologer.  However, worldwide research works are being conducted to connect these missing links.  Hopefully, effort will bear fruits and missing links will be explored.   Anyway, despite all these, Astrology of Hindu is still relevant and capable to reveal destiny.  Sometimes, its efficacy is astonishing that compels an individual to bow his head before the great seers in reverence. 

Recently, on my journey I met with one university professor of Vyakarana (one of Vedanga).  During conversation he expressed his views that Jyotisha acharya can’t be acknowledged as Vidvana (learned person).  This vidya is just for jeevikoparjan (livelihood).  While, Vyakarana acharya is recognized as Vidvana.  I didn’t comment on this. Thereafter, several topics we discussed.  Before half an hour of completion of my journey, I asked him, “Do you have great interest in doing Sadhana”?  He told, “Yes”. Then I asked, “But I see you fail to complete your Sadhana as you have some great anxiety or problem on mental level”.  He was impressed and revealed that last year his wife, who was very religious and nice lady, expired and her demise had put him in great sorrow.  Further, he disclosed that he had great desire to do Sadhana as all children are settled and in the name of family he was alone.  I advised him some correct astrological measures so that he might be able to perform his Sadhana perfectly.  In response he offered his respect. I told, “all credit goes to those Mahatmas who introduced us with such an amazing divine science of astrology”. I think that it is efficacy of Vedic Astrology that even on noticing planetary influence on face, personality and gesture, one astrologer becomes able to say the things related to an individual and advices the way which is right.  This is why I fell in love with Jyotish.   Then I drew his attention on his first statement and told that like Jyotisha, Vyakarana also is Vedanga.  It is said Jyotish is eye of Veda.  So now you have to decide whether eye is important limb or not.  He understood my point.  

 

 

In this continuation of indicating efficacy of Hindu astrology, I remember one event.  I was in my relative’s place and I had not carried my laptop.  One person came to me asked to say about success in PCS exam, I told that presently I don’t have laptop you give me your birth details and come later.  He told that he had only date of birth and time is not known to him and mother is also failing to recall the same exactly.  I showed my reluctance and told in absence of birth data, what would I predict?  On his insistence and seeing his faith in astrology, mentally I calculated the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Saturn & Jupiter’s probable position at the time of his birth and ascendant also at the possible birth time uttered by him.  On applying experienced principles of Vedic astrology I intuitively asked, “Is someone dependent on you except your wife, children and parents”.  Surprisingly, he nodded his head in affirmation and revealed that her widow sister was living with his family.   Now you would have understood what astrological principles our sages have propounded and what is efficacy of Indian astrology!  Even on a rough calculation, sometimes how mysteries are got revealed! I agree of course there is role of intuition in such cases.  But such intuition comes within by the way of astrology.  No doubt, sometimes or on various occasions prediction may go wrong.  Predictions go wrong; it is not failure of astrology.  There are various reasons and possibilities of becoming prediction wrong.  I have experienced several times that promise of something is very strong but it is not taking place properly. 

 

One person came to me and told that he had been transferred to other cities. So he wanted to know when his relieving would be possible.  On studying his birth chart, I singled out a time span that was strongly indicating his displacement.  He accepted, “As per his departmental constraint there is likelihood of relieving in the said time period.  But, he is not interested in being relieved from present office in the mid of academic session as it would be difficult for him to take children with him.  That’s why I think to stay for the completion of this academic session” In this view is there any possibility of relieving on completion of this academic session.  I advised him to do effort in this direction. And he did effort (or exercised his Freewill) and got stay order.  In one sense prediction went wrong because in the strong period he did not moved into new environment.  There could be various astrological reasons.  But I think it is freewill of a native also that causes change in astrologically predicted circumstances.   A doctor will also fail to diagnose, if patients begins to exercise his freewill in his own way.  Therefore, for achieving accuracy in prediction, the will of querist is equally important.