VEDIC ASTROLOGY is based on of planets. Our goal is to utilize it
in a scientific and objective manner, so that the great science may be usefully exploited for the benefit of mankind.
In this yagyan your valuable cooperation is always
expected.
The sky as seen from earth appears as a sphere with earth as its centre. This hypothetical sphere
is called Celestial Sphere or Celestial Globe.
Our solar system is very very small as compared to our universe. The distances of stars seen
in the sky are so huge that they hardly appear changing their positions in the celestial sphere even in thousands
of years. In other words the celestial sphere appears like a black hollow sphere on which stars are fixed on
its surface from inside. Obviously the structure made by stars practically does not change with time.
Since the planets of our solar system including Sun and Moon are comparatively much nearer, they
can be seen moving in the Celestial Globe. In Indian Astrology all such heavenly bodies which appear moving are
called Grahs(planets). Because our earth moves around the Sun on almost a circular path, the Sun appears moving
around the Earth on a circular path on the Celestial Sphere from west to east. All the other planets (Grah) also
appear moving along this circle from west to east, on a 9 degree wide path, which is called Zodiac.(Do not confuse
with the daily apparent motion of heavenly bodies which is from east to west which is due to rotational motion
of earth.)
In ancient time only 5 planets namely Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were known, as
they can be seen by naked eyes. If Sun and Moon are also included the number of planets(Grahas) becomes 7.
What are Rahu and Ketu?
Sun and Moon both move around the earth on an apparent circular paths, with their centres as
the centre of earth. The two circles cut each other on two points. These two points are 180 degree apart from each
other. Because of the movement of the path of Moon, the two cut points also move on the zodiac from east to west,
i.e. opposite to other planets. It takes around 18 years in completing one revolution. These two points are called
Rahu and Ketu. It is why "No Moon" and "Full Moon" falling near these two points cause Solar
and Lunar eclipses respectively and it appears that Rahu and Ketu are trying to swallow Sun and Moon.
The total number of planets thus becomes 9.
What are Signs i.e. Rasis. and Nakshatras
All the planets move on a about 9-degree wide circular path on the Celestial Sphere with its
centre as the viewer on the earth. This path is known as Zodiac. The 360 degrees of the Zodiac is divided into
12 signs or Rasis, each having 30 degrees, as indicated below:
Rasi No.
Degree
Rasi / Sign
Lords of Rasi
Greater than or equal to
Less than
1
0
30
Mesh / Aries
Mars
2
30
60
Vrishabh / Taurus
Venus
3
60
90
Mithun / Gemini
Mercury
4
90
120
Kark / Cancer
Moon
5
120
150
Simha / Leo
Sun
6
150
180
Kanya / Virgo
Mercury
7
180
210
Tula / Libra
Venus
8
210
240
Vrishchik / Scorpio
Mars
9
240
270
Dhanu / Sagittarius
Jupiter
10
270
300
Makar / Capricorn
Saturn
11
300
330
Kumbh / Aquarius
Saturn
12
330
360
Meen / Pieces
Jupiter
The Zodiac is also divided into 27 parts, each having 13 degree and 20 minutes size, which are
called Nakshatras or Constellations.These are as indicated below:
Nakshatra No.
Degree
Nakshatra
Greater than or equal to
Less than
1
0
13/20
Ashwani
2
13/20
26/40
Bharani
3
26/40
40/00
Krittika
4
40/00
53/20
Rohini
5
53/20
66/40
Mrigashira
6
66/40
80/00
Ardra
7
80/00
93/20
Punarvasu
8
93/20
106/40
Pushya
9
106/40
120/00
Ashlesha
10
120/00
133/20
Magha
11
133/20
146/40
Purva Phalguni
12
146/40
160/00
Uttara Phalguni
13
160/00
173/20
Hasta
14
173/20
186/40
Chitra
15
186/40
200/00
Swati
16
200/00
213/20
Vishakha
17
213/20
226/40
Anuradha
18
226/40
240/00
Jyeshtha
19
240/00
253/20
Moola
20
253/20
266/40
Purva Sharha
21
266/40
280/00
Uttara Sharha
22
280/00
293/20
Shravan
23
293/20
306/40
Dhanishtha
24
306/40
320/00
Shatabhisha
25
320/00
333/20
Purva.Bhadrapad
26
333/20
346/40
Uttara Bhadrapad
27
346/40
360/00
Revati
The Nakshatras and Rasis (Signs) are recognized by the structure made by the stars on that part
of zodiac and their names are also given as the structure appears. The planets appear moving over the Rasis/nakshatras.
The planets move with different speeds, as indicated below:
Planet
Time Taken to cross one Rasi
Moon
2.5 Days
Mercury
On average one month
Venus
On average one month
Sun
One Month
Mars
1.5 Months
Jupiter
One Year
Rahu/Ketu
1.5 Years
Saturn
2.5 Years
Uranus
7 Years
Neptune
15 Years
Pluto
40 years
The speeds of Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu are almost constant, while other planets change their
speeds. Rahu and Ketu move from east to west while all other planets move from west to east. The planets Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto some time move in opposite direction ( for short duration)
i.e. from east to west. This motion is called retrograde(Vakri)
motion.
We know that the earth receives radiations and other influences from the sky. These influences
are not same from all parts of the sky. Each rasi (sign) or nakshatra has its own influence depending on the radiation
coming from part represented by it. The influence of a planet therefore is affected by the Rasi occupied by it.
BIRTH CHART
Birth chart is presentation of planets and Zodiac in the sky, relative to native at the time
of birth. For casting birth chart/horoscope, we must know the position of planets in the zodiac and the position
of the zodiac w.r.t. to the native. Lagna is required for getting the position of Zodiac.
What is Lagna
Due to rotational motion of the earth on its axis (one rotation in 23 Hours and 56 Minutes),
the entire zodiac appears rotating arround the earth from east to west. Obviously it also takes 23 Hours and 56
Minutes for one rotation. The Rasi rising in east at the time of birth is defined as lagna. The persons born in
same lagna would have received almost similar cosmic influences if planets are ignored. Therefore Lagna plays a
important role in making forecasts about a person. The effect of a planet is dependent on the lagna.
What are Bhavas(Houses)
The Lagna is defined as first house of the birth chart of the person. The next rasi is called
second house, the next to it is called 3rd house and so on. The influence on a planet depends on (1) the rasi
occupied it (2) the lagna of the native (3) the bhava in which the rasi occupied by the planet falls.
The following table describes what a bhava represents:
SN
HOUSE/BHAVA
REPRESENTATION
1
First
Self, health, entire body, overall personality, head
2
Second
Face, right eye, money
3
Third
Brother/sister, bravity, neck, small journey
4
Fourth
Mother, mind, heart, mental peace, education, vehicle, house
5
Fifth
Chidren, intelligence, stomach
6
Sixth
diseases, enemies, abdomine
7
Seventh
spouse, married life, urogenital system
8
Eighth
life/death,
9
Ninth
fortune, religious deeds, fame, long journey
10
Tenth
father, job
11
Eleventh
income, profit
12
Twelfth
expenditure, loss, left eye
How To Make Predictions
BENEFIC AND MELEFICS
Jupiter, Venus and Mercury are "SHUBH" OR benefic planets.
Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu and Ketu are "PAP" or melefic planets.
Moon is in neither of the categories. Sun is supposed to be a bit different from melefic. It is sometimes called
"KROOR" or cruel planet instead of melefic.
UCHCH AND NEECH
SUN
MOON
MARS
MERCURY
JUPITER
VENUS
SATURN
UCHCH RASI
1 Mesh (Aries)
2 Vrishabh (Taurus)
10 Makar (Capricorn)
6 Kanya (Virgo)
4 Kark (Cancer)
12 Meen (Pieces)
7 Tula (Libra)
NEECH RASI
7 Tula (Libra)
8 Vrishchik (Scorpio)
4 Kark (Cancer)
12 Meen (Pieces)
10 Makar (Capricorn)
6 Kanya (Virgo)
1 Mesh (Aries)
FRIEND'S RASI
4,8,9,12
4,5,9,12
2,6,7,10,11
1,5,8
3,6,10,11
2,3,6
ENEMY'S RASI
2,3,6,7,10, 11
2,3,6,7,10, 11
1,4,5,8,9,12
2,3,6,7,10, 11
1,4,5,8,9,12
1,4,5,8,9,12
LORDSHIP OF A BHAV
Lord of a bhav is the lord of the sign (Rasi) falling in that bhav.
For example in the Simha Lagna Chart(Chart having Leo as ascendent), the Simha Rasi falls in first house hence,
lord of first house would be Sun. Similarly, Vrischik (Scorpio) rasi falls in 4th house hence lord of 4th house
will be Mars.
GOOD AND BAD BHAVAS
Kendra
Bhavas 1,4,7 and 10 are called "Kendras". These are good places.
Trikona
Bhavas 1,5,9 are called "Trikonas". These are also good places.
Triks
Bhavas 6,8, and 12 are called Triks. Thases are bad bhavas
Other
Other bhavas 2,3,11 are medium bhavas.
A planet sitting in good bhav gains power, while sitting in bad bhav looses strength.
A planet sitting in own rasi, uchch rasi or friends rasi gains strength, while sitting in neech rasi or in enemy's
rasi looses strength.
If a lord of a house is sitting in a good bhav or in own rasi/uchch rasi or friends rasi the aspects related to
that bhav are enhansed, Similiarly, If a lord of a house is sitting in a bad bhav or in neech rasi or
in enemy's rasi the aspects related to that bhav are decreased,
Melefic planets sitting in a bhav reduces good results and increases bad results of the bhav.
Benefic planets sitting in a bhav reduces bad results and increases good results of the bhav.
Apart from above there are other things used in Vedic Astrology for making prediction. There are certain combnations
of planets, called "YOGA", play important role in making predictions. Vimshottary dasha and gochar movement
of planets are used for making predictions for different age of the native.