Purpose of Vedic Astrology:

Vedas are the oldest literature known to human beings and the history of Astrology traces
back to Vedic times, lakhs of years ago from now. Astrology is VedaChakshu, the guiding
eye for molding the future and attaining self- realization. The fundamentals of Vedic
Astrology were believed to have been instituted by Brahma, the creator. This knowledge was
then passed down to various Rishis and to man. Jyotisha Shastra, Vedic Astrology, in its
current form, is thought to have been written several thousand years ago by Maharishi
Parashara, although, the work have even have existed several thousand years more prior to
that in oral form. Parashara's book, "Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra" is the primer on Vedic
Astrology and most scholars view Parashara today as the father of mainstream Vedic
Astrology.

Planets are called 'Grahas' in vedic Astrology. Graha means that which catches. Grahas are
those which catch the human beings and shed their influence on them. Grahas affect all
inanimate and animate objects in this world.
The purpose of Jyotisha Shastra is to avoid problems before they arise. The aphorism, "Pull
weeds early" describes a major purpose of astrology. Another quote states, "If you want to
get rid of a snake, get rid of it when it is really small". In fact, Patanjali, a famous Indian
philosopher who wrote the "Yoga Sutras", stated that it was important to know how to "avoid
the danger which has not yet come". A good astrologer uses the tools of Vedic Astrology to
forecast the times to promote events in one's life or to pull back, recognizing the indications
point to some obvious serious risk.
Another greatness of Jyotisha Shastra, Vedic Astrology lies in providing remedial measures
for various problems faced by human beings. The remedies are mentioned by sages in various
works and also in Vedas. But the suitability of a remedy for a case is to be judged by a
competent astrologer.
Importance:

The Introductory slokas of the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, the great classic of Vedic
astrology authored by Maharishi Parasara starts as below,
Once upon a time, offering his obeisances to all knowing sage Parsara and with folded
hands, Maitreya asked him: O venerable, Astrology which is the supreme limb of the Vedas,
has three divisions, viz. Hora, Ganita and Samhita. Even amongst the said three divisions,
Hora is still far excellent. I desire to know of its glorious aspects from you. Kindly relate
them to me.
The Shisya (student) of the Maharishi, Mitreya rishi describes Jyotisha or Vedic astrology as
the supreme limb of the Vedas. Originally there is one Veda, which is said to have emanated
from the breath of Lord Mahavishu, and was later divided into four branches by Maharshi
Vedavyasa for easier comprehension. The four branches are the Rik, Sama, Yajur and
Atharva Vedas, which contain the hyms or mantras recited by the four priests preforming a
Yajna (vedic sacrifice).

The auxiliary knowledge necessary for the proper performance of the Vedic rituals is given in
the six corollaries of the Vedas called Vedangas. They are mentioned by Parijata Harihara in
his Prasna Marga as follows:
The Vedas have six limbs, viz. Jyotisha, Kalpa, Nirukta, Siksha, Vyakarana and Chanda.
For the Vedas, the six important limbs, viz. the feet, the face, the hands, the eyes, the nose,
and the ears are represented by Chanda, Vyakarana, Kalpa, Jyotisha, Siksha and Nirukta
respectively. As astrology is the eye of the Vedas, it is given the pride of place. No person
possessing all the organs intact but without eyesight can have individuality.
Therefore, although astrology is a subordinate part of Vedic knowledge, it still ocuppies a
very preeminent position, because with its help one can foresee the results of his actions.
Vedic Astrology & its divisions:

Sage Maitreya mentions the three branches of astrology, namely Hora, Ganita and Samhita,
which are elaborated upon by Harihara as follows:
Ancient astrological science is divided into three Skandhas or six Vedangas. The three
Skandhas are Ganita, Samhita and Hora. Sages have classified the great science of astrology
into six Vedangas, viz. Jataka, Gola, Nimitta, Prasna, Muhurta and Ganita. Ganita Skandha
deals with Gola and Ganita. Hora Skandha deals with horoscopy, Prasna, Muhrta and a part
of Nimitta. Samhita Skandha deals elaborately with Nimitta. Samhita also deals with the
varying fortunes of the people, changes in weather and progress of the animal kingdom. It
sketches also the nature and shape of meteors, shooting stars and all the wonderful natural
phenomena.
The six Angas of Vedic astrology are the following:
Ganita: Mathematical calculations connected with the movement and positions of the planets
within the zodiac.
Gola: Spherical astronomy, resulting from the spherical shape of the planets and their
movements around their axes and orbits.
Jataka: Radical astrology, or analysis of the birth chart, which includes all the general rules of
horoscope reading.
Pras na: Query astrology, or analysis of charts erected for the time and place of putting a
question before the astrologer.
Muhurta: Analysis of favorable and unfavorable moments to begin any activity.
Nimitta: Reading of omens, bodily signs, behavior or humans, animals and natural
phenomena.
Harihara also mentions that Vedic astrology can be divided into Pramana and Phala.
Astronomical calculations come under Pramana (proof) as they deal basically with
astrophysical characteristics of the planets. This is still important for a Jyotisha, because these
calculations will lie in the foundation of the astrological interpretations. The astronomical

interpretations themselves come under Phala (fruits) as they actually delineate the fruits of
the natives karma, or activities performed in his previous lifetime.
The oldest available book on Astrology is Rigjyothisha, written by Lagadha.
There are 18 pioneers in Astrology, who contributed for its development. They are: 1. Surya,
2. Pitamaha, 3. Vyasa, 4. Vasishta, 5. Atri, 6.Arasara, 7. Kasyapa, 8. Narada, 9. Garga, 10.
Mareechi, 11.Manu, 12. Angeerasa, 13. Lomasa, 14. Poulisa, 15. Chyavana, 16. Yavana, 17.
Bhrigu, and 18.Saunaka.
Varahamihira (123 AD) wrote Brihat Samhita, a great work on Astronomy and Astrology.
There are 105 chapters and 4000 verses in this book. He has shown how Astrology can be
applied for the welfare of public.
Aryabhatta-I (476 AD) wrote Aryabhateeya, which comprise a great deal of Astronomy,
Mathematics and Astrology. Even Astronomy of this book is spread to Arab countries.
Aryabhatta-II (950 AD) wrote Mahasiddhanta, where he explained more clearly about
calculation part of Astrology.
Bhaskara-I (629 AD) wrote Mahabhaskareeya, a book on astro-mathematics. Bhaskara-II
(1114 AD) gave Siddhanta Siromani where a lot of Mathematics can be found. Details of
square, square root, cube, cube root, factorial values, and factors of a number are explained.
Details of planets, calculation of radius of earth , eclipses, and atmospheric layers (7 zones)
above earth are discussed clearly.
A lot of other authors like Kalyana Varma, Kalidasa, Venkatesa, Neelakantha, Mantreswara,
etc. have published books on Astrology.
It is also important to know that good Vedic astrologers are not fatalistic, but point to useful
and actionable indications or probabilities that certain behaviors might emerge or that specific
events could take place over time. In spite of the debate about whether we have free will or
not, it is important to know that the effects seen in an astrological chart are not required to
happen as they stand. A motivated, sincere person, under the competent guidance of an
experienced Vedic astrologer, can make effective changes in their lives. Nature is basically
benevolent and changes can be made for the better.
Vedic astrology is linked to other Vedic systems, such as Ayurveda for health, Vastu for
dwellings and other philosophies. Vedic Astrology is part of a holistic, integrated knowledge
system and its effects can be bolstered by interoperating with its "sister" sciences. The Vedic
Astrology system is kind in that not only is a person told what might happen, but they are
presented a list of potential remedies or corrective actions to offset the quantity and quality of
karmas that are returning to them, as seen in the birth chart. After all, it is held that the natal
chart is a list of the karmas or previous actions that we have brought into this life.
Zodiac & Kundali:

The chart, called Janma Kundali, represents our starting point in this life and where our
pluses and minuses lie throughout our lives. Zodiac is the outer wheel from where the
radiation from different celestial bodies is received, filtered and sent to earth. The entire
Zodiac chart is divided into 12 signs, starting from Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo,

Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. There are 4 things to be
done in a human life: Dharma (righteous path), Artha (wealth), Kaama (Desire), Moksha
(Unification of soul with God). These are one by one represented by the 12 houses of the
zodiac. The hidden meaning is: A man should follow righteous path to achieve wealth and
fulfill his desires. At the same time he must be desirous to reach God, and find ways to finally
unify himself with the super soul. The potentiality to achieve this is represented step wise by
the zodiac.