The Vedas are said to be the direct revelations from the divine to the sages. The meaning of Veda is "to know" or "the "knowledge" which gives rise to awareness, intelligence and discrimination. There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. They contains the transcendental, universal and eternal truth in the form of hymns, incantations and rituals regarding every aspect of life which helps human beings to lead a more meaningful and balanced life.
Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) is a part of the Vedas as it is said to be the eyes of the Vedas. In Vedic period astrology was an integral part of society and was consulted for major activities. Jyotish means to 'lighten up' or to 'enlighten'. Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) is composed of Ganita (astronomy) and Phalita (astrology).
There were eighteen major sages of Vedic Astrology, few of whose works are documented, are:
Vedic Astrology is the oldest system of astrology in the world, which is still continuing and is practiced in almost the same older form. Calendar based upon the lunar mansions or Nakshatras continues in India and some others countries even today. Vedic astrology uses the actual positions of constellations and planets as seen from the earth (by taking into account the precision of the equinox), which gives a completely different horoscope as compared to the one used by western astrologers.
Vedic Astrology dose not only have various predictive tools but also advices remedy for minimizing malefic planetary influences. The whole zodiac circle or Kalapurusha is divided into 12 signs or Rashis of 30 degrees each:
Apart from 12 Signs or Rashis zodiac circle or Kalapurusha is also divided into 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions) each with a span 13.20 degrees.
11. Poorva Phalguni
12. Uttara Phalguni
20. Purva Ashadha
21. Uttar Ashadha
25. Purva Bhadra
26. Uttara Bhadra
(For more details on Nakshatra please see our Nakshatras page)
There are 16 types of horoscopes, known collectively as Shodashvarga or the Divisional Charts, and each one is used for judging a different aspect of life.
Rashi or the Lagna or Birth chart of 30 degrees = All aspects of life.
Hora or one-half of a sign of 15 degrees = Wealth.
Drekkana or one-third of a sign – 10 degrees = Siblings.
Chaturthamsha or one-fourth of a sign - 7 degrees 30 minutes = Destiny and Fixed Assets.
Saptamsha or one-seventh of a sign – 4 degrees 17 minutes & 8.5 seconds = Progeny.
Navamsa or one-ninth of a sign – 3 degrees 20 minutes = Spouse and many other things.
Dashamsa or one-tenth of a sign – 3 degrees = Career and Profession.
Dwadashamsha or one-twelfth of a sign -2 degrees 30 minutes = Parents.
Shodashamsha or one-sixteenth of a sign -1 degrees 52 minutes & 30 seconds = Conveyance.
Vimshamsha or one-twentieth of a sign -1 degree 30 minutes = Spiritual Progress.
Chaturvimshamsha or one-twenty fourth of a sign -1 degree 15 degrees = Knowledge.
Saptavimshamsha or one-twenty seventh of a sign -1 degrees 6 minutes 40 seconds = Strength.
Trimshamsha or one-thirtieth of a sign – 1 degree = Misfortunes and Characteristics.
Khavedamsha or one-fortieth of a sign – 45 seconds = Auspicious & Inauspicious effects.
Akshavedamsha or one-forty fifth of a sign 40 seconds = For all areas of life.
Shashtyamsha or one-sixtieth of a sign 30 seconds = For all general effects.
There are predefine planetary combinations knows as Yogas, and these are one of the unique predictive tools of Vedic Astrology. Yoga is a predefined rule taking Planets, Signs and Vedic Aspects into account. The effect of the Yoga, good or bad will manifest in one’s life the timing of which is determined by transit and, or planetary period.
(For more details on Yoga please see our Yoga page)
There are numerous types of Dasa systems (planetary periods). Each Dasha system has a unique method for dividing time into periods and sub periods and there are distinct ways of interpreting the meanings of periods thus allocated.
1. Vimshottari Dasa
2. Sodasottari Dasa
3. Dvadasottari Dasa
4. Astottari Dasa
5. Parkottari Dasa
6. Satabdika Dasa
7. Caturasiti Dasa
8. Dvisaptati Dasa
9. Sasthihayani Dasa
10. Sattririisati Dasa
11. Navamsa Dasa
12. Rasyamsa Dasa
13. Kala Dasa
14. Chakra Dasa
15. Kalachakra Dasa
16. Sudarsan Chakra Dasa
17. Chara Dasa
18. Navamsa Sthira Dasa
19. Sthira Dasa
20. Caturvidha Uttara Dasa
21. Brahmagrahasrita Dasa
22. Kendra Dasa
23. Karak Kendra Dasa
24. Karak Graha Dasa
25. Manduka Dasa
26. Sula Dasa
27. Nakshatra Dasa
28. Yogardha Dasa
29. Drig Dasa
30. Trikono Dasa
31. Naksatradi Dasa
32. Nabatara Dasa
33. Varnada Dasa
34. Panka Svara Dasa
35. Yogini Dasa
36. Pinda Dasa
37. Amsaja Dasa
38. Rasmija Dasa
39. Nisargaja Dasa
40. Astavargaja Dasa
41. Sandhya Dasa
42. Pachaka Dasa
The formulas for calculating dasha are variable from simple and precise to complex and variable. Vimshottari Dasha, Kalachakra Dasha, Yogini Dasha. Ashtottari Dasha and Navamsa Dasha are most commonly used but the most common of it all is Vimshottari Dasha, also known as Udu Dasha. There and numerous other unique features like Astavarga system, Jamini astrology system etc.