Indian Astrology

What is Astrology?

Astrology is one of the oldest cultures of human civilization. Indian astrology is also a very ancient culture of India as well as in Asian sub-continent. Vedic astrology comes from the Vedas, (Sanskrit 'Veda' = knowledge) and was initiated by the Aryans. Astrology is called "Jyotisha Shastra" in Sanskrit. "Jyotisha" (Sanskrit 'Jyotisha' means Divine Light or Luster of Heaven) "Shastra" (Sanskrit 'Shastra' means Subject of diversity) means, subject of study which deals with celestial entities.


Those are called ‘Grahas’, that move through the Nakshatras (or stellar mansions) in the zodiac.
The said zodiac comprises of 27 Nakshatras commencing from Ashvini. The same area is divided in 12 parts equal to 12 ‘Rasi’ commencing from Mesha. The names of the Grahas commence from Surya. The Rasi rising is known, as ‘Lagna’. Based on Lagna and the Grahas, joining and departing from each other, the native’s good and bad effects are deducted.


The names of the 27 Nakshatras are:
Ashvini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasira, Ardra, Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Purvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Vishaka, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purvashadh, Uttarashadh, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Satabhisha, Purvabhadra, Uttarabhadra, Revati.



Lagna:

Lagna is a very important point in the horoscope. It is the Rasi, that rises in the East, on the latitude of birth. The apparent rising of a Rasi is due to the rotation of the earth on its own axis at a rate of motion, causing every degree of the zodiac seemingly ascend on the eastern horizon.
Approximately, two hours are required for a Rāśi to pass via the horizon, thereby every degree taking four minutes to ascend. This duration, however, is actually dependent on the concerned latitude.



Rasi:

Names of Rāśis. The 12 Rāśis of the zodiac in order are Mesh, Vrishabh, Mithun, Kark, Simh, Kanya, Tula, Vrischik, Dhanu, Makar, Kumbh and Meen.

Rasi's Lord are as follows:

Rasi---------------------Lord

Simh---------------------Sūrya
Kark---------------------Candr
Mesh & Vrischik-------Mangal
Mithun & Kanya-------Budh
Dhanu & Meen--------Guru
Vrishabh & Tula-------Śukr
Makar & Kumbh-------Śani




Grahas:

The names of the nine Grahas, respectively, are Sūrya, Candr, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Śukr, Śani, Rahu and Ketu.

Graha governances:
Surya is the soul of all.
Candra is the mind.
Mangal is one’s strength.
Budha is speech-giver.
Guru confers Knowledge and happiness.
Sukra governs semen (potency).
Sani denotes grief.


Grah cabinet:
Royal status are Sūrya and Candra.
Mangal is the Army chief.
Prince-apparent is Budha.
The ministerial Grahas are Guru and Śukra.
Śani is a servant.
Rahu and Ketu form the Graha Army.


Actually Sūrya has no motion. His motion is an apparent one, as viewed from the rotating earth. Other Grahas, including the nodes, have varied rates of motion.
The average daily motions of the Grahas, which are not, however standard, are, as follows.

Sūrya : 1º
Candr : 13-15’
Mangal : 30-45’
Budh : 65-100’
Śukr : 62-82’
Guru : 5-15’
Śani : 2’
Rahu/Ketu : 3’

Note: Here º is degree and ’ is minute



Bhava:

Tere are 12 houses in Kundali Known as "Bhava".

1.Tanu Bhava: Physique, appearance, intellect (or the organ of intelligence, i.e. brain), complexion of the body, vigour, weakness, happiness, grief and innate nature are all to be guessed through the ascending Rāśi.

2.Dhan Bhava: Wealth, grains (food etc.), family, death, enemies, metals, precious stones etc. are to be understood through Dhan Bhava.

3.Sahaj Bhava: From Sahaj Bhava know of the following: valour, servants (attending etc.), brothers, sisters etc., initiatory instructions (Upadesh), journey and parent’s death.

4.Bandhu Bhava: Conveyances, relatives, mother, happiness, treasure, lands and buildings are to be consulted through Bandhu Bhava.

5.Putr Bhava: The learned should deduce from Putr Bhava amulets, sacred spells, learning, knowledge, sons, royalty (or authority), fall of position etc.

6.Ari Bhava: Maternal uncle, doubts about death, enemies, ulcers, step-mother etc. are to be estimated from Ari Bhava.

7.Yuvati Bhava: Wife, travel, trade, loss of sight, death etc. be known from Yuvati Bhava.

8.Randhr Bhava: Randhr Bhava indicates longevity, battle, enemies, forts, wealth of the dead and things, that have happened and are to happen (in the past and future births).

9.Dharm Bhava: Fortunes, wife’s brother, religion, brother’s wife, visits to shrines etc. be known from Dharm Bhava.

10.Karm Bhava Royalty (authority), place, profession (livelihood), honour, father, living in foreign lands and debts are to be understood from Karm Bhava.

11.Labh Bhava All articles, son’s wife, income, prosperity, quadrupeds etc. are to be understood from Labh Bhava.

12.Vyaya Bhava From Vyaya Bhava, one can know about expenses, history of enemies, one’s own death etc.