Hindu Astrology Zodiacs

Hindu Astrology Zodiacs

Nirayana and Sāyana Zodiacs:

In Hindu astrology, there are two main zodiac systems: Nirayana (sidereal) and Sāyana (tropical). Both zodiacs consist of 12 equal parts, known as signs or rāśis, each spanning 30 degrees. The key difference lies in the method of measurement. Jyotiṣa predominantly uses the sidereal zodiac, considering stars as a fixed background against which planetary motion is measured. Western astrology, on the other hand, relies on the tropical zodiac, aligning planets based on the Sun's position during the spring equinox. Due to the precession of equinoxes, the two systems have deviated by about 22 degrees over two millennia.

The Twelve Signs (Rāśis):

Aries (मेष, meṣa): Represented by the Ram, associated with the fire element, and ruled by Mars. It is a movable (chara) sign.

Taurus (वृषभ, vṛṣabha): Symbolized by the Bull, linked to the earth element, and ruled by Venus. It is a fixed (sthira) sign.

Gemini (मिथुन, mithuna): Depicted as Twins, associated with the air element, and ruled by Mercury. It is a dual (dvisvabhava) sign.

Cancer (कर्क, karka): Represented by the Crab, aligned with the water element, and ruled by the Moon. It is a movable sign.

Leo (सिंह, siṃha): Symbolizing the Lion, connected to the fire element, and ruled by the Sun. It is a fixed sign.

Virgo (कन्या, kanyā): Represented by the Virgin Girl, associated with the earth element, and ruled by Mercury. It is a dual sign.

Libra (तुला, tulā): Depicted as the Balance, linked to the air element, and ruled by Venus. It is a movable sign.

Scorpio (वृश्चिक, vṛścika): Symbolized by the Scorpion, associated with the water element, and ruled by Mars. It is a fixed sign.

Sagittarius (धनुष, dhanuṣa): Depicted as the Bow and Arrow, aligned with the fire element, and ruled by Jupiter. It is a dual sign.

Capricorn (मकर, makara): Represented by the Crocodile, connected to the earth element, and ruled by Saturn. It is a movable sign.

Aquarius (कुम्भ, kumbha): Symbolizing the Water-Bearer, associated with the air element, and ruled by Saturn. It is a fixed sign.

Pisces (मीन, mīna): Depicted as Fishes, linked to the water element, and ruled by Jupiter. It is a dual sign.

Nakṣhatras (Lunar Mansions):

The nakṣatras are 27 or 28 equal divisions of the night sky used in Hindu astrology, identified by prominent stars. Each nakṣatra spans 13° 20′ of the ecliptic and is divided into quarters or padas of 3° 20′. Of particular importance is the Abhiśeka Nakṣatra, holding authority over others. The junction of two rashis or nakṣatras is known as Gandanta.

Daśās – Planetary Periods:

The Daśā system determines active planets during specific periods, influencing an individual's state of being. Various dasha systems exist, including those for planets (grahas) and zodiac signs (rāśis). The Viṁśottarī Daśā system, applicable universally in the Kali Yuga, is widely used. The first Mahā-Daśā is determined by the natal Moon's position in a nakṣatra, with each mahā-daśā divided into sub-periods or bhuktis.

Navagraha – Celestial Bodies:

The navagraha, or nine planets, include:

Surya (Sun)

Chandra (Moon)

Budha (Mercury)

Shukra (Venus)

Mangala (Mars)

Bṛhaspati/Guru (Jupiter)

Shani (Saturn)

Rahu (North node of the Moon)

Ketu (South node of the Moon)

These celestial bodies are believed to influence human decisions and mental states during their respective periods.

Gocharas – Transits:

The study of gochara involves the movement of grahas (planets) since birth, interacting with natal chart grahas. The study is primarily based on the transits of the Moon, Mercury, and Venus, along with the slower planets Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu.

Yogas – Planetary Combinations:

Yogas are combinations of planets in specific relationships, influencing various aspects of life. Rāja yogas provide fame and authority, Dhana yogas signify wealth, and Sanyāsa yogas are formed by specific planet placements, indicating potential renunciation.

Bhāvas – Houses:

The Bhāva Chakra, representing the 360° circle of life, is divided into twelve houses (Bhāvas), each associated with kāraka planets influencing interpretations. Bhāvas personalize Rāśis to individuals, revealing their impact on various aspects of life.

Dṛiṣṭis – Planetary Aspects:

Drishti refers to the aspect of planets to entire houses. Planets cast forward aspects, influencing other houses based on their positions. The principle of Drishti is devised from the analogy of an army in a war field.

Hindu astrology, with its intricate system of zodiacs, nakṣatras, dasas, and yogas, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and interpreting celestial influences on human life.

Hindu Astrology (Jyotisha)

 Hindu Astrology (Jyotisha)

Etymology: The term "Jyotisha" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Jyotish," which translates to "light" referring to heavenly bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. Jyotisha encompasses the study of astronomy, astrology, and the science of timekeeping based on the movements of celestial bodies. Its primary objectives are to measure time accurately, maintain calendars, and predict auspicious moments for Vedic rituals.

History and Core Principles: Jyotisha is one of the six Vedangas, ancillary disciplines supporting Vedic rituals. Early Jyotisha focused on preparing calendars for sacrificial rituals, with no mention of planets initially. The Atharvaveda and Chāndogya Upaniṣad mention eclipse-causing "demons," introducing terms like "graha," originally meaning demon. The foundational concept is "bandhu," connecting the microcosm and macrocosm.

Hindu astrology relies on the sidereal zodiac, adjusting for the gradual precession of the vernal equinox. It employs unique elements like lunar mansions (Nakṣatra), not found in Western astrology. The order of planets and the zodiacal signs in India became standardized after the influence of Hellenistic astrology. The Yavanajātaka, a 2nd-century CE translation of Greek astrological concepts, marked the beginning of this interaction.

The classical texts shaping Indian astrology include the Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra and Sārāvalī, dating back to the 7th to 8th centuries CE. These works formed the basis for the modern interpretation of Hindu astrology.

Modern Hindu Astrology: In contemporary Hindu culture, astrology remains integral. Newborns are traditionally named based on their astrological charts (Kundali). Astrology influences calendars, holidays, and major life decisions such as marriage, business ventures, and relocation. The Navagraha, planetary deities, are considered influential but subordinate to Ishvara (supreme being).

Astrology as a Science: Despite being regarded as pseudoscience by the scientific community, astrology retains significance in religious, political, and legal contexts in India. In 2001, the Andhra Pradesh High Court favored astrology, leading to its inclusion as a discipline in Indian universities. However, scientific studies found no valid predictive power in astrological principles, considering it no better than chance.

The scientific consensus rejects astrology's explanatory power for describing the universe. Despite criticism, astrology is taught at various Indian universities. In 2004, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging astrology's status, stating it didn't qualify as promoting religion.

Indian astrologers have faced skepticism due to failed predictions, such as inaccuracies in foreseeing election results and major events. Despite scientific challenges, astrology continues to play a role in various aspects of Indian society.

Texts:

The Vedanga-Jyotisha, linked to Rigveda and Yajurveda, is an ancient text on Jyotisha. The Rigveda version attributes 36 verses to sage Lagadha, while the Yajurveda version credits no specific sage and includes 43 verses. The Brahma-siddhanta, likely composed in the 5th century CE, integrates planetary movements for timekeeping and calendar calculations. Ancient Hindu texts primarily focused on timekeeping and astronomy, while astrology concepts were influenced by Greek ideas during the early centuries of the 1st millennium CE.

the Dashavatara

Dashavatara refers to the ten primary avatars (incarnations) of the Hindu god Vishnu, each of which is believed to descend to restore cosmic order. The term "Dashavatara" is derived from Sanskrit, where "Dasha" means "ten," and "Avatara" means "incarnation."

The list of Dashavatara may vary across sects and regions, and there is some controversy about which avatars should be included. However, the most widely accepted list includes the following ten avatars, often presented in the following order:

1. Matsya (The Fish): Vishnu takes the form of a fish to guide King Manu's boat during a great deluge, saving the Vedas and sages.

2. Kurma (The Tortoise): Vishnu becomes a tortoise to support Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthana) to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrita).

3. Varaha (The Boar): Vishnu appears as a boar to rescue the Earth, which has been submerged into the cosmic ocean by the demon Hiranyaksha.

4. Narasimha (The Man-Lion): Vishnu takes a half-man, half-lion form to protect his devotee Prahlada and defeat the demon Hiranyakashipu, who cannot be killed by man or beast.

5. Vamana (The Dwarf): Vishnu incarnates as a dwarf Brahmin to subdue the demon king Bali, who had gained control over the three worlds.

6. Parashurama (The Warrior with an Axe): Vishnu appears as a Brahman warrior with an axe to rid the world of corrupt and oppressive Kshatriya rulers.

7. Rama: Vishnu incarnates as Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, to defeat the demon king Ravana and rescue his wife Sita.

8. Krishna or Balarama: Vishnu incarnates as Krishna, a central figure in the Mahabharata, to guide Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra. Some traditions include Balarama, Krishna's elder brother, in this position.

9. Buddha: In some traditions, Vishnu incarnates as Buddha to teach compassion and non-violence. However, this inclusion is controversial, and some traditions omit Buddha.

10. Kalki: This is the future avatar, prophesied to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga (the current age of darkness and decay) riding a white horse and wielding a sword. Kalki is expected to restore righteousness and bring about a new cycle of existence.

The order and inclusion of avatars may vary, and regional variations exist. The Dashavatara concept has also been interpreted to reflect the evolution of consciousness in a modern Darwinian context.

The term "Dashavatara" itself breaks down as "Dasha" meaning "ten" and "Avatara" meaning "incarnation." The list of avatars in Dashavatara represents complete incarnations, distinguishing them from partial incarnations according to some interpretations.

Various lists of Vishnu's avatars exist, and the most accepted list is often considered to be Krishna followed by Buddha. Some traditions replace Krishna or Buddha with regional deities like Vithoba or Jagannath.

The Dashavatara is also mentioned in several Puranas, including the Agni, Padma, Garuda, Linga, Narada, Skanda, and Varaha Puranas.

The avatars are described in different scriptures, each with a specific purpose or mission, such as maintaining cosmic order, defeating demons, and guiding humanity on the path of righteousness. The stories associated with each avatar symbolize various aspects of life, morality, and cosmic balance.

The historical development of the Dashavatara concept can be traced through epigraphic evidence, and the inclusion of Buddha as an avatar marked a significant assimilation of Buddhism into Vaishnavism. Different philosophical schools within Hinduism may emphasize different aspects of the Dashavatara concept, with some considering Krishna as the original Supreme Personality of Godhead.

the Dashavatara is a rich and diverse concept within Hinduism, encompassing ten significant avatars of Vishnu that play crucial roles in maintaining cosmic order and guiding humanity. The stories associated with each avatar provide moral and spiritual lessons, and the concept has evolved over centuries to incorporate regional variations and philosophical perspectives.