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Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-28-2005
Hi Guys,
Posting after a long time. And this might be the right forum and the right audience to answer this question.
First is Vedic Astrology (a science or art or whatever) capable of predicting your future.
The answer can be of two types - The first one will use scientific logic to prove or disprove the above notion. The second approach can be of people giving personal account of prediction coming true.
Can we have some discussion on this?
Second are there online resources (or offline resources) to understand and interpret Vedic astrology.
rgds,
fanne
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-28-2005
Like I have an example of many people (and it is a second hand account, I never had an opportunity) going to this gentelmen (a pujari in a contonment), he would see your hand and then tell your exact date of birth (now that is something). He was off in few cases by few days. He would then also predict number of brother sisters and usual stuff. Well this kind of things get you thinking....there is something in it.
rgds,
fanne
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-28-2005
fanne welcome back <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-29-2005
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->First is Vedic Astrology (a science or art or whatever) capable of predicting your future.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes it can. Jyotisha is an exact science.
The problem is not with the science, but with those who practice it.
In Kali yuga there are not that many astrologers who have the spiritual attainments of Rshi Paraashara or Rshi Patanjali.
An ideal Jyotishi is one who is also an advanced yogi and can use his yogic vision to predict events.
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-29-2005
In Veda, Jyotisha is referred to astronomy only.
Current vedic astrology are based on couple of shastras written much later based on Vedic astronomy and observing events.
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-29-2005
Fanne,
Welcome back.. <!--emo&:rocker--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rocker.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rocker.gif' /><!--endemo-->
So far I have found http://www.journalofastrology.com/index.htm to be one of the better websites. Sri K N Rao has done lots of research on this. He also participates in a yahoogroup called "JyotishGroup". There are other yahoogroups called vedic-astrology which are also pretty decent.
Sri Rao wants a proper curriculum to be introduced and a proper certification process to avoid such thugs who exploit this ancient science to fool people. I think Sri M M Joshi approved Jyotish as a subject, but our 'secular' govt has different ideas, i hear. Its really sad. This is a huge industry which is going to survive with or without govt help. With a proper institutional support, this can be developed a lot - with lots of research money and a proper certification process - but hinduphobia just reigns supreme these days.
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Sunder - 01-29-2005
I find the writings of Sri Jagadguru Paramacharya of Kanchi to be way better than any explanation I can give. Here is a full posting of it.
<b>Eye of the Vedapurusa</b>
Of the fourteen branches of learning basic to our Vedic religion, I have so far dealt with siksa, Vyakarana, Chandas and Nirukta. These four form part of Sadanga (the six limbs of the Vedas). I will now speak about Jyotisa, it being the first of the remaining two of the Sadanga. Jyotisa, which is the science of the celestial bodies and the eye of the Vedapurusa, consists of three "skandhas" or sections. So it is called "Skandha-trayatmakam". Sages like Garga, Narada and Parasura have written samhitas (treatises) on this subject. The sun god, in disguise, taught the science to Maya, the carpenter of the Asuras. The work incorporating his teachings is called the Suryasiddhanta. There are treatises on astronomy written by celestials and sages and ordinary mortals. Of them some are by Varahamihira, Aryabhata and Bhaskaracarya. In recent times we had Sundaresvara Srautin who wrote a work called Siddhanta-Kausthubham.
Why is Jyotisa regarded as the eye of the Vedapurusa?
What purpose is served by the eye? Near objects may be perceived by the sense of touch. With our eyes we learn about distant objects. Just as our eyes help us to know objects that are distant in space (that is just as we see distant object with our eyes), Jyotisa sastra help us to find out the position of the heavenly bodies that are distant in time (their configuration many years ago in the past or many years hence in future).
We can find out directly the positions of the sun and the moon and other heavenly bodies. Just as we can know near objects, even if we are blind, by feeling them with our hands, we can learn about the positions of the heavenly bodies near in time even without the help of astronomy. What is 50 feet away is to be perceived by the eye. Similarly, if you want to know the position of planets 50 years ago or 50 years hence, you have to have recourse to Jyotisa.
We cannot, however, form a full picture of near objects only by feeling them. For instance, we cannot know whether they are green or red. For this, we must see them with our eyes. Again, even if we are able to see the planet with our naked eye, we will need the help of astrology to find out its effects on our life, how its positions in the heavens will influence our destiny.
This is the reason why Jyotisa is called the eye of the Vedapurusa. Vedic rituals are performed according to the position of the various planets [and the sun and the moon]. There are rules to determine this. The right day and hour [muhurta] for a function is fixed according to the position of the celestial bodies. Here again, Jyotisa performs the function of the eye.
This Anga of the Vedas is indeed called "nayana" which word means "to lead". A blind man needs to be led by another. So it is the eye that leads. Astronomy / Astrology is the eye that enables us to fix the hours for Vedic rituals.
<b>Astronomy and Astrology</b>
Astronomy examines the position of the planets and other heavenly bodies. It does not concern itself with how they affect the life of the world or the individual. It is not its function to find out how far the celestial bodies are beneficial to us or how they may be made favourable to us. Such functions belong to astrology. Jyotisa includes both astronomy and astrology.
Telling us about the results of performing a ritual at a given time, keeping in mind the position of the planets, the sun and the moon and the naksatras ( asterisms ), comes under the purview of astrology. The hours favourable to the performance of Vedic rites are determined according to calculations based on the movement of planets. All this entails mathematical work.
The measurements of the place where a sacrifice is to be conducted (yajnabhumi) are based on certain stipulations. These must be strictly adhered to if the sacrifices is to yield the desired benefits. Mathematics developed in this way as a handmaid to the Vedic dharma.
<b>Ancient Mathematical Treatises</b>
Jyotisa, as we have seen, consists of three sections. There was a scholarly man in the Matha who was particularly learned in this science. We wished to honour him with a title and decided upon "Triskandha-Bhaskara". "Skandha" literally means a big branch springing from the trunk of a tree. The three skandhas of Jyotisas are : siddhanta, hora and samhita.
The siddhanta-skandha deals with arithmetic, trigonometry, geometry and algebra. The higher mathematics developed by the west in later centuries is found in our ancient Jyotisa.
Arithmetic, called "vyakta-ganita" in sanskrit, includes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. "Avyakta-ganita" is algebra. "Jya" means the earth and "miti" is method of measurement. "Jyamiti" evolved with the need to measure the sacrificial place :"geometry" is derived from this word. The "geo" in geography is from "jya". There is a mathematical exercise called "samikarana" which is the same as "equation".
The sixth Anga of the Vedas, Kalpa ( I will speak about it later ), has a great deal to do with the fifth, that is Jyotisa. Kalpa has a section on "sulba-sutras". These sutras mention the precise measurements of the "yajnavedi" (sacrificial altar). The character of the yajnabhumi is called "cayana". The sulba- sutras deal with a number of cayanas like, for instance, the one shaped like Garuda. They tell us how to construct a brick-kiln ---the number of bricks required for the cayana of such and such shapes. The siddhanta-skandha is used in all this.
There is an equation in the Apastamba sulba sutras which could not be proved until recently. Westerners had thought it to be faulty merely as they could not solve it. Now they accepted it as right. That Indians had taken such great strides in mathematics, thousand of years ago has caused amazement in the West. There are a number of old equations still to be solved.
Our sastras mention branches of mathematics like "rekhaganita, "kuttaka", "angapaka", etc. "Avyakta-ganita" is also called "bijaganita".
Eight hundred years ago there lived a great mathematician called Bhaskaracarya. An incident in his life illustrates how relentless destiny is. Bhaskaracarya had a daughter called Lilavati. The great astrologer that he was, he found that she had "mangalya-dosa" in her horoscope, but he felt confident that he could change his daughter's destiny, as foreshadowed by the stars, with his ingenuity and resourcefulness, as an astrologer. He decided to celebrate Lilavati's marriage during a lagna in which all the planets would be in positions favourable to the bride. This should, he thought, ensure that Lilavati would remain a "dirgha-sumangali".
In those days there were no clocks as we have today. A water-pot was used to measure time. It consisted of an upper as well as a lower part. The water in the upper receptacle would trickle down through a hole into the lower container. The lower part was graduated according to the unit of time then followed ---nazhikai (nadika), one sixtieth of a day or 24 minutes. So the time of day was calculated by observing the level of the water in the lower container. ("Water-clock" and "hour-glass" are English names for such an apparatus. Since water evaporates quickly sand was used instead. )
According to the custom then prevailing, Lilavati's marriage was to be celebrated when she was still a child. On the appointed day, she sat beside the water--clock and bent over it fascinated by the apparatus. As she fumbled around a pearl from her nose--stud got loosened and fell into the apparatus lodging itself in its hole. The flow of water into the lower receptacle was reduced. So what the clock indicated as the hour fixed for the marriage was not the right one---the auspicious hour had passed. Nobody including Lilavati, had noticed the pearl dropping into the water-clock. When they came to know about it, it was too late. They realised that destiny could not be overcome.
Later Bhaskaracarya wrote a mathematical treatise and named it "Lilavati" after his daughter. The father taught his widowed daughter mathematics and she became highly proficient in the subject. Lilavati deals with arithmetic, algebra, etc. It is a delightful book in which the problems are stated in verse as stories. Bhaskaracarya also wrote the Siddhanta-Siromani which deals with how the positions and movement of the heavenly bodies are determined.
We learn the text of an edict in the Pracinalekhamala that a Gurjara (Gujarat) king had made an endowment to popularise the works of Bhaskaracarya.
Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Euclid's Geometry are believed to be lost. All the 12 books on mathematics in Sanskrit are still available. "Making additions several times is multiplication; carrying out subtraction several times is division. " We remain ignorant of such easy methods of calculations dealt with in our mathematical texts.
Varahamihira lived several years before Bhaskaracarya, that is about 1, 500 years ago. He wrote a number of treatises including the Brhat-Samhita and the Brhajjatika. The first is a digest of many sciences, its contents being a wonderful testimony to the variety of subjects in which our forefathers has taken strides. Brhajjatika is all about astrology.
Aryabhata, famous for his Aryabhatiya-Siddhanta, also lived 1, 500 years ago. The vakya--ganita now in use is said to be based on his Siddhanta. Varahamihira and Aryabhata are much acclaimed by mathematicians today.
All these books on mathematics also deal with the movements of the celestial bodies. There are seven "grahas" according to the ancient reckoning--the five planets and the sun and the moon. Rahu and Ketu are called "chaya -grahas" (shadow planets) and their orbits are opposite of the sun's and the moon's.
<b>Planets and Stars</b>
How do the planets differ from the stars? The planets revolve round the sun; the stars do not belong to the sun's "mandala" [they are not part of the solar system]. If you hold a diamond in your hand and keep shaking it about, it will glitter. The stars glitter in the same way and twinkle, but the planets do not twinkle.
The sun and the stars are self-luminous. The stars dazzle like polished diamonds. The planets Jupiter and Venus shine like the bigger stars but they do not twinkle. The sun too has the brilliance of the stars[it is in fact a star]. If you gaze intently at the sun for a moment the watery haziness surrounding it will vanish. Then it will look like a luminous disc of glass floating in water and it will not be still. The moon is not like it. I will tell you how to prove the sun twinkles. Observe the sun sun's light pouring down from an opening in the roof. Observe similarly moon's light also coming into your room. You see the sun's rays showing some movement but not the moon's. The planets are also like the moon.
If the star is a big one, we may be able to see its light refracted into the seven colours(vibgyor), like the colours emanating from a brilliant diamond.
The sun is called "Saptasva" (one with seven horses--the sun god's chariot is drawn by seven horses). It is also said that there is only one horse drawing the chariot but it has seven different names. "Asva" also means "kirana" or ray. So "Saptasva" could mean that the sun emits seven types of rays or colours. It is of course the same light that is split into seven colours. In the Taittiriya Aranyaka it is clearly stated that the same "asva" or ray has seven names: "Eko asvo vahati saptanama. "
The stars are self-luminous, while the planets shine by reflected light. The light of the stars is not still. That is how we say, " Twinkle, twinkle little star ". The stars rise in the east and set in the West. The planets too travel westward but they keep moving a bit towards the east every day. It is like a passenger walking westward on a train speeding eastward. The seven planets thus keep moving eastward.
<b>The Grahas and Human Life</b>
The conditions of man corresponds to the changes in the position of the nine grahas. A human being does not enjoy happiness all the time nor does he always suffer hardships-- that is he experiences a mixture of happiness and sorrow. While he may be pushed up to a high position today, he may be thrust down to the depths tomorrow. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. Establishments too have their ups and downs, so also nations.
The sages saw a relationship between the position and movements of the planets and the destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness experienced by him. There is a branch of astrology called "hora--skandha". If we knew the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise, with its help we should be able to find out how it would take shape, how we would fare in it. If our horoscope is cast on the basis of the configuration of the planets at the time of our birth, our fortunes over the entire period of our life can be predicted.
Different reasons are given for the ups and downs in a man's life for his joys and sorrows. It is similar to finding out the different causes of the ailment he suffers from. The physician will explain that the disease is due to an imbalance in the "dhatus". The mantravadin will say that it is due to the gods being displeased with the patient, while the astrologer will observe that it is all in his (the patient's) stars. The pandit versed in Dharmasastra will explain that the illness is the fruit of the man's past actions, his karma. And the psychologist will express the view that the bodily affliction is related to an emotional disturbance. What is the true cause?
All these different causes may be valid. All of them together go to create an experience. When it rains it becomes wet and the place is swarmed with winged white ants. Frogs croak. All these are indicators of the rain. Many outward signs manifest themselves as the fruits of our past karma. They are all related to one another. The course of the planets governing our life is in accordance with our karma. We come to know the consequences of our past actions in previous births in various ways. Astrological calculations help us to find out such consequences as indicated by the heavenly bodies.
<b>Omens. Signs.</b>
Where can you discover water? Where does ground water occur? Or where do streams flow inside the earth? By what signs on the surface do you make out the presence of water underground? How are perfumes manufactured? What are the right measurements for a house? These questions are discussed in the samhita-skandha of Jyotisa. Also omens and signs.
"Sakuna" is one thing, "nimitta" quite another. "Sakuna" literally means a bird: only signs connected with birds come under the category of "Sakuna". All things in this world are interrelated: all happenings are linked to one another. If we know the precise scale and manner in which events are woven together, we would be able to know everything. Everything in this world occurs according to the will of the One Being and according to a precise system. So with reference to one we can know all others. Palmistry, "arudam" (a method of divination), astrology, all are interrelated.
What does a bird flying from right to left indicate? What is foretold by the chirping of such and such a bird? Question like these belong to the sakuna-sastra. "Nimitta" means omen. "Nimittani ca pasyami viparitani Kesava" says Arjuna to Krsna before the start of the battle of Kuruksetra. He uses the right word "nimitta" while we use the word "sakuna" carelessly. When a cat crosses our path it is an omen; when an eagle flies above us it is a sakuna.
To go back to Arjuna. The Lord tells Arjuna: "Nimittamatram bhava Savyasacin". This is in answer to Arjuna telling Krsna, lamenting, that it is sinful to kill one's enemies [or one's kin]. Says krsna: "I have already resolved to slay them in this battle. So they are already as good as dead. It is I who will kill them. You are a mere tool" (Nimittamatram bhava).
A nimitta does not produce any result on its own. It points to the result that has already been ordained by some other factor--or, in other words, it merely indicates the fruits of our past karma.
<b>Modern Discoveries in Ancient Works</b>
There are a few scientific discoveries that are not found mentioned in Varahamihira's Brhat-Samhita.
How do heavenly bodies remain in the skies? How is it that they do not fall? Everybody thinks that it was Newton who found the answer to such questions. The very first stanza in the Suryasiddhanta, which is a very ancient treatise, states that it is the force of attraction that keeps the earth from falling.
In Sankara's commentary on the Upanisads there is a reference to the earth's force of attraction. If we throw up an object it falls to the ground. This is not due to the nature of object but due to the earth's force of attraction. "Akarsana-sakti" is force of attraction, the power of drawing or pulling something. The breath called "prana" goes up, "apana" pulls it down. So the force that pulls something downward is apana. The Acarya says the earth has apana-sakti. The Prasnopanisad (3. 8) states: "The deity of the earth inspires the human body with apana". In his commentary on this, Sankara observes that, just as an object thrown up is attracted by the earth, so prana that goes up is pulled down by apana. This means that our Upanisads contain a reference to the law of gravitation. There are many such precious truths embedded in our ancient sastras. Because of our ignorance of them we show inordinate respect for ideas propounded by foreigners, ideas known to us many centuries before their discovery by them. Our Jyotisa is also some thousands of years old. Even so it foresaw the mathematical systems prevalent in the world today.
At the beginning of the kalpa, all grahas were in alignment. But over the ages they have changed their courses. When another kalpa commences, they will again remain in alignment.
The "samkalpa" we make before the performance of any ritual contains a description of the cosmos, a reference to the time cycle, and so on. All this is part of Jyotisa.
Centuries ago, we knew not only about the earth's force of attraction but also about its revolution round the sun. Aryabhata, Varahamihira and others spoke of the heliocentric system long before the Western astronomers or scientists. Until the 16th century people in Europe believed that the earth remained still at the centre of the universe and that the sun revolved around it. They further believed that this was how day and night were created. If anybody expressed a different view he was burned at the stake by the religious leaders.
"It is the earth that revolves around the sun, not the sun round the earth", declared Aryabhata. He used a beautiful term to describe the logic behind his view : "laghava-gaurava nyaya". "Laghu" means light, small, etc and "laghava" is derived from it. The opposite of "laghu" is "guru", weighty, big, etc. "Guru" also denotes a weighty personality, a great man, like an acarya or teacher, one who has mastered a sastra. If the acarya is guru the disciple must be laghu. The student is small and "light" compared to his guru. So he goes round the latter. This is based on "laghava-gaurava nyaya". By adducing this reason for the earth going round the sun, Aryabhata combined science with a traditional sastric belief.
In the old days religious leaders in Europe were opposed to science and even burned scientists as heretics. But today we join the descendants of the very same people to make the preposterous charge that the Hindu religion stood in the way of scientific advancement, that it ignored the matters of this world because of its concern for the other world. As a matter of fact our traditional sastras are a storehouse of science.
"The sun remains still and it is the earth that goes round it. It is only because the earth revolves round the sun that it seems to us that the sun rises every day in the east and sets in the west". This is mentioned in Aitareya Brahmana of Rgveda. The text says clearly : "The sun neither rises nor sets".
That all learned people in India knew about the earth's revolution is shown by a passage in the Sivotkarsa-Manjari by Nilakantha Diksita who was minister of Tirumala Nayaka. One stanza in this work begins like this : "Bhumir bhramayati" and from it we must also gather that the author's great-uncle, Appayya Diksita, also knew about this truth. What is the content of this verse?
Siva is called "Astamurti". Earth, water, air, fire, space, the sun and the moon, the yajamana or sacrificer--they are all the personification (murti) of Isvara. Among them only the yajamana has no bhramana or motion. All the rest have bhramana, says Appayya Diksita. That he has said so is mentioned in the verse in question by his younger brother's grandson, Nilakantha Diksita.
We see that air has movement, that fire does not remain still, that water keeps flowing. When we look up into the sky, we notice that the sun and the moon do not remain fixed to their spots. As for space, it is filled with sound and it cannot be still. But the earth apparently stands still. Even so, says Appayya Diksita, it has motion. "It revolves".
Let us now consider the shape of the earth. Europeans claim that they were the first to discover that the earth is like a ball, that in the past it had been thought to be flat like a plate. All right. What word do we use for "geography"? "Bhugola sastra", not just "bhu-sastra". We have known from early times that the earth is a "gola", a sphere.
We call the universe with all its galaxies, "Brahmanda". It means the egg created by Brahma (the cosmic egg). An egg is not exactly spherical in shape, but oval. According to modern science the universe too is oval in shape. The cosmos is always in motion, so observe modern astronomers. "Jagat" is the word by which we have known it from Vedic times. What does the word mean? That which does not stand still but is always in motion, that which "is going".
In our country too there were people who refused to believe that the earth rotates on its axis. I will tell you the view of one such school of thought. The earth's circumference is about 25, 000 miles. So if it rotates once in 24 hours then it means it rotates more than 1, 000 miles an hour or 16 or 17 miles in one minute. Those who did not accept the fact of the earth's rotation tried to prove their point thus :"There is a tree in Mylapore [in Madras]. Imagine there is a crow perched on one of its branches. It leaves its perch this moment and soars high and, by the next minute, it perches itself again on the branch of the same tree in Mylapore. If the rotation of the earth were a fact how would this be possible? The crow should have descended to a place 16 or 17 miles away from where it had started.
I have not checked on how this argument was answered. But when I asked people who know modern science they said : "Surrounding the earth for some 200 miles is its atmosphere. Beyond that there are other spheres. When the earth rotates these too rotate with it". I may have gone slightly wrong in stating the view of modern science. However it be, there is no doubt that when the earth rotates, its atmosphere also rotates with it.
What are called Arabic numerals actually belong to India. This fact was discovered by Westerners themselves. The zero is also our contribution and without it mathematics would not have made any advance. Bhaskaracarya established the subtle truth that any quantity divided by zero is infinity ("ananta"). He concludes one of his mathematical treatises with a benedictory verse in which he relates zero to the Ultimate Reality.
When the divisor goes on decreasing the quotient keeps increasing, does it not? If you divide 16 by 8 the quotient is 2; if the same quantity is divided by 4 the result is 4. Divided by 2, the quotient is 8. Divided by zero? The quotient will be infinity. Whatever the number divided, the result will be infinity if the divisor is 0. Bhaskaracarya gives it the name of "khahara". "Kham" means zero, "haram" means division. Bhaskaracarya says : "I pay obeisance to the Paramatman that is Infinity".
<b>Not Blind Belief</b>
"Hindu sastras are all nonsensical, " exclaim critics of our religion. "They say that north of the earth is the Meru mountain, that our one year is one day for the celestials residing there, and that the sun revolves round it. They believe that, besides the ocean of salt, there are oceans of sugarcane juice and milk, in fact several kinds of oceans. They describe the earth with its five continents as consisting of seven islands. It is all prattle. "
Why should the ocean be salty? Who put the salt in it? Why should not there have been an ocean tasting sweet or of milk? Is the talk about the seven islands and the seven oceans absurd? What to the sastras say about the position of the earth, the same sastras that speak about the seven ocean, and so on? "Meru is situated on the northern tip of the earth, " they state. "Directly opposite to it is the Pole star(Dhruva). "
The northern tip of the earth is the North pole. Is the Pole star directly opposite to it? No. "Eons ago, " scientists explain, "it was so. But later big changes took place and the earth tilted a bit. " The sastras refer to a time when the Pole star was directly opposite the North Pole and at that time the seven islands and the seven oceans must have existed. When the rotating earth tilted a bit the oceans must have got mixed and become salty and in the process the seven islands must have become the five continents.
If there is a place above the North Pole it must be Meru where we have our svarga or paradise. Let us imagine that this earth is a lemon. A spot on its top is the Meru peak. In relation to that spot any other part of the fruit is south. Where can you go from there, east or west? You can go only south. You will learn this if you mark a point on the top of the lemon. For all countries of the earth, for all "varsas", north is Meru. "Sarvesamapi varsanam Meruruttaratahsthitah. "
On the North pole it is six months day and six months night. We must have been taught this in our primary classes. It means our one year is one day on the North pole. This is what is meant by saying that our one year is one day for the celestials.
When the earth rotates, the northernmost and southernmost points are not affected. In some places there will be sun for 18 hours and in other places only for six hours. There are many differences in the durations of day and night with regard to different places on earth. Only on some days does the sun rise directly in the east and is overhead without departing even by one degree. On other days it rises from other angles(from north-east to south-east). Such is not the case on the North pole. There the sun shines six months and the other six months it is darkness. And, again, during the sunny months it would seem as if the sun were revolving round this place(the North pole).
The six-month period when there is sun in the North Pole is called uttarayana and the similar sunny period on the South Pole is daksinayana.
The North Pole is called " Sumeru" and the South Pole "Kumeru". ("Sumeria" is from Sumeru. In that land, it is said, the Vedic gods were worshipped. ) Just as the North pole is the abode of the gods, the South pole is the abode of the fathers (pitrs) and hell. To see the gods and the pitrs who are in the form of spirits and the denizens of hell one must obtain divine sight through yoga. Merely because we do not possess such sight we cannot deny their existence. There was Blavatsky who was born in Russia, lived in America and later came to India. She speaks about the worlds of the gods and of the spirits. A great scientist of our times, Sir Oliver Lodge, affirmed the existence of spirits and deities and stated that mankind could benefit from them. If you ask why Jyotisa, after dealing with the science of astronomy, should turn to spiritualism, the answer is that there is no contradiction between the two as supported by the example of a scientist like Sir Oliver who too turned to spiritualism.
Our sastras came into existence at a time when mortals mixed with the gods. We would be able to appreciate this fact if we tried to understand the samkalpa we make at the time of performing any religious function. The samkalpa traces the present from the time of creation itself. From Jyotisa we learn the position of the grahas at the commencement of the yuga: then they were all in a line.
Some calculations with regard to heavenly bodies today are different from those of the past. And, if the findings at present are not the same as seen in the sastras, it does not mean that the latter are all false. The sastras have existed from the time the grahas were in a line and the North pole was directly opposite the Pole star. Since then vast changes have taken place in nature. Valleys have become mountains, mountains have become oceans, oceans have become deserts and so on. Geologists speak about such cataclysmic changes, and astronomers tell us about the change in the courses of the heavenly bodies. So what we see today of the earth and the heavenly bodies is different from what is mentioned in the sastras.
The date of creation according to Jyotisa agrees more or less with the view of modern science.
Kali yuga--the age of Kali--has a span of 432, 000 years. Dvapara yuga is twice as long, 864, 000 years, Treta yuga is 1, 296, 000 years and Krta yuga 1, 728, 000 years. The four yugas together, called maha yuga, are 4, 320, 000 years long. A thousand mahayugas add up to the period of 14 Manus. The regnal period of a Manu is a manvantara. There are royal and republican rulers on earth, but God has appointed Manu as ruler of all the worlds. There are fourteen Manus ruling the world successively from the creation of man. The word "manusya" and " manuja" are derived from Manu. So too the English word "man". In the samkalpa for any ritual we perform we mention the year of the seventh Manu, Vaivasvata. If we go back to the first Manu, Svayambhuva, we arrive at a date for the origin of the human species which agrees with the view of modern science.
The Sanskrit word, "man", means to think. Manu was the first of the human race with its power of thinking. There is a saying in English :" Man is a thinking animal. " "Since man's distinctive characteristic is his capacity to think the descendants of Manu came to be called "manusyas. "
The life-span of the fourteen Manus put together make one day(daytime) of Brahma, that is 4, 320, 000, 000 years. His night has the same length. While one day of Brahma is thus 8, 640, 000, 000 years his one year is 365 such days and his life-span is 100 such years. The life of his cosmos is the same. When Brahma's life comes to an end the Brahman alone will remain and there will be no cosmos. Then another Brahma will start creation all over again. It is believed that Hanuman will be the next Brahma.
Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Suvarloka, Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka comprise the seven worlds. The gods, mortals and so on live in these worlds. Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka and Suvarloka form one group. "Bhurbhuvassuvaha, " we pronounce this so often while performing rituals. The remaining four belong to higher planes. When Brahma goes to sleep at night the first three worlds will be dissolved in the pralaya (deluge). This is called "avantara-pralaya"("intermediate deluge"). All other worlds will perish when his life-span ends.
Scientists say that the heat of the sun is decreasing imperceptibly. Without the warmth of the sun there will be no life on earth. Scientists have calculated the time when the sun's heat will be reduced so much that life on earth cannot be sustained. Then this world itself will perish. The date on which this will occur agrees with that given by our sastras for the next "avantara-pralaya".
Half of Brahma's allotted life-span is over. This life-span is divided into seven "kalpas". Now we have come more than half way of the fourth kalpa, "Svetavaraha". We mention in samkalpa how old Brahma is at the time we perform a rite, which year we are in of the saka era, also the year according to the 60-year cycle beginning with Prabhava--all details of the almanac including the day, the asterism and the lagna. The date of Brahma's appearance, according to this calculation is said to agree with the view of modern science of when this cosmos came into being.
Brahma is called "Parardha-dvaya-jivin". It means he lives for two "parardhas". A "paradha" is half the number meant by "para". When Brahma is called "Paradha-dvaya-jivin" it means he lives as many years as is meant by 2*1/2 paras. Two half paras are the same as one para. Then why say "parardha-dvaya" instead of just one "para". The reason for this is that Brahma has already completed half of one para and is going on 51. So it is meaningful to use the term "half of para"[two half-paras].
Fourteen Manus reign successively during one daytime of Brahma which lasts a thousand caturyugas. So one manvantara is 71 caturyugas. Now running is the 28th caturyuga, the Vaivasvata manvantara. And of it, it is Kali yuga now. In our samkalpa we mention all this and, in addition, the day according to the moon, the Lagna, etc. We also mention how we are situated in the space, from the Brahmanda down to the locality where we are performing the function (for which the samkalpa is made). It is all similar to writing the date and address on a letter.
<b>Empirical Proof</b>
A ray of light pouring through an opening in the roof of a building falls on a particular spot. Normally, we shall not be able to tell where the same ray of light will fall next year. But a prediction can be made with the help of Jyotisa. This is how it was done in the olden days. A pearl attached to a thread was hung from the roof. If a man was able to indicate correctly in advance where its shadow would fall on a particular day, he received a reward from the king. One's competence in other sastras is established through argument, but in Jyotisa it has to be proved by actual demonstration. You cannot deceive anyone by employing the methods taught by this science. The sun and the moon are witness to what you do. "Pratyaksam Jyotisam sastram. "
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For this, and more insights into the Hindu Dharma, please visit the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam website. Sri Jagadguru's Upadesam and discourses is what makes my faith in Dharma stronger. It is a pity that a shadow of misfortune is now cast upon the Matam. With Lord Chandramouleeswara's grace, and our faith in the matam, it will be able shine in it rightful glory.
http://www.kamakoti.org/newlayout/template/hindudharma.html
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 01-29-2005
That's good discussion guys, keep it up. I want few personal accounts (without the specefics) that proves that astrology is a science.
rgds,
fanne
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Sunder - 02-08-2005
The Fall of Star Vega (Abhijit)
This is quite interesting, I was listening to Sri Anantharama Deekshithar's Shankaravijayam. He mentioned <b>Abhijit nakshatra</b>, which disappeared. This prompted me to search for abhijit star, leading me to this article.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Truth of 12,000 years B.C. recorded in Mahabharat.
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Maharshi Vyas has recorded in Mahabharat, Vana Parva (Chap.230, Verses 8-11), a dialoge between Indra and Skanda where-in it is stated that:
"Contesting against Abhijit (Vega), the constellation Krittika (Pliedes) went to "Vana" the Summer Solstice to heat the summer. Then the star Abhijit slipped down in the sky. At that time Dhanishta was given the first place in the list of Nakshatras. Rohini was also the first some time back. Now you decide what to do," said Indra.
This dialogue shows that when Indra went to Summer Solstice, Vega started falling down. Many scholars have ridiculed this idea of Star Falling; but now <b>it is proved by modern astronomy that it was a true fact that 12,000 years B.C., Vega had really come down to the horizon from the heights of the sky, to become a pole star.</b>
Krittikas were at the Summer Solstice between 21,800 and 20,840 years B.C. At this time Dhansishta was at the vernal equinox and hence was given the first place in the Nakshatras. From this period, the sages noticed the gradual fall of Abhijit. Falling steadily, it is assumed the position of the Celestial Pole at 12,000 B.C., when Indra met Skanda to think on the problem of time-reckoning. The story shows that the <b>Indian sages were observing the stars and constellations at least from 23,000 years B.C.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 02-08-2005
Since I am a student of Vedic astrology, I would like to add something to this topic - my 0.2 cents
Before becoming a student, I was a staunch believer of "free will". I believed that with free will you could run your life, without being tied to a destiny and then say that is my fate and sit down and brood. Until I was really convinced that Vedic astrology has free will imbibed in it in its substratum level that I started observing it. I went to numerous astrologers, had discussions with them. Many genuine astrologers do exist, especially in the little state of Kerala where I was born and brought up. Genuine ones do explain the ideas behind it and they expect you to be strict students.
In one particular instance I had gone to an astrologer and he was deciding if a particular chart is genuine or not by just looking at it. This system of self check exists, I believe, only in Vedic astrology. I was absolutely stunned to learn how deep and logically structured is the Vedic astronomy and astrology. It is a precise science, but it tests the astrologers judgemental skills too.
My dad had taken my chart to an astrologer, and he said that I should be careful with my words, since there is some yoga in chart that if I say something from my instincts, it may well happen. When I started predicting something purely on judgemental and intution skills I found that many of what I said happened. I stopped predicting because of that. Many of the astrologers I believe provide problems than solutions. The idea of astrology was solution centric, not problem centric. If you read our puranas, you can understand what I mean by solution centric. These days it is problem centric. Create a problem, and provide solutions to it and earn money seems to be the motto.
Eswar
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 02-10-2005
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>PANCHANGA BASICS</b>
I have been flooded with messages that I should explain the fundamentals of a panchanga in such a manner as even a tyro is able to understand. I shall try to do the same.
<b>Panchang</b>
The literal meaning of Panchang is a âbody comprising five limbsâ. These are:
1.   Tithi, (2) nakshatra, (3) yoga (4) Karna and (5) var.
It is worthwhile to mention here that all these elements of a panchaga are phenomena related to just the two lights viz. the sun and the moon and have nothing whatsoever to do with any (other) planet like Budha or Shukra etc., which are a ânecessary evilâ only for predictive astrology, whether âVedicâ or ânot-so-Vedicâ.
1. Tithi is the distance between the sun and the moon divided by 12. Suppose the sun is in one degree of Mesha and the moon in fourteen degrees of the same sign. It means dwitiya tithi is prevailing since twelve degrees have already been âgainedâ by the moon over the sun. Similarly, after covering twenty-four degrees, the tithi will be tritya and so on.
When the distance between the Moon and the sun is less than 180 degrees it is known as Shukla paksha---the bright lunar half---(Purnima being the exact distance of 180 degrees, known as Full Moon). After that Krishna paksha---the dark lunar half---starts till the distance between the sun and the moon is 360° i.e. zero. It is known as Amavasya i.e. New Moon then
Let us illustrate it with an example for Mahashivaratri i.e. February 7, 2005:
If you consult any Hindu panchanga, you will find that on February 7, 2005,at 5-30 am IST
a) the longitude of the sun was 294° 22â 50â.       Â
b) that of the moon 266° 56â 48â.
(Though these are so called nirayana longitudes, we shall not at this stage enter into any discussion as to whether these are correct or incorrect.)
   Since the longitude of the Moon is less than that of the sun, we have to add 360° (a circle!) to the same and it becomes
b) 360° + 266° 56â 48â = 626° 56â 48â
c) By subtracting the sun i.e. (a) from the moon i.e. (b), we get Â
d) 626° 56â 48â minus 294° 22â 50â = 332° 33â 58â.
By dividing this by 12 we get
e) 332° 33â 58â /12 = 27 as dividend and 0.713843 as the remainder.  Since the dividend, i.e. the number of tithis elapsed is more than 15 it is Krishna Paksha, and 27 minus fifteen = 12 i.e. twelve tithis of Krishna Paksha had already elapsed and it is thus trayodashi that was prevailing at that time.
f) This tithi viz. trayodashi ended when the distance between the sun and the moon was 28 (27 tithis having already elapsed) multiplied by 12 = 336°. In other words, the sun minus moon had to cover a further distance of
g) 336° minus 332° 33â 58â = 3° 26â 2â. The speed of the moon minus the speed of the sun for the next 24 hours on that date was 14° 10â 25â. At this rate, the balance of 3° 26â 2â was covered in 24/(14° 10â 25â)=1h 41m 36sec multiplied by 3° 26â 2â = 5hrs 48mt 53 se.
h) Since the positions of the sun and moon were given for 5-30 am IST, by adding 5h 48m 53sec to the same, we get 11hr 18m 53sec as the ending IST of Krishna Trayodashi. In fact this is almost the exact time given by all the panchangas of India as the ending moment of that tithi on that date.
i)Â Obviously, Krishna Chaturdashi started then i.e. at 11hrs 19 mts. as on February 7, 2005 and by the same method it ended at about 7-38 am on February 8, 2005.
Why this Chaturdashi should be treated as Mahashivaratri, and why not the one prior to it or the one following it, is a topic which will be reserved for last of all points since unless the basics are understood, one cannot jump to higher realms!
Nakshatras will be dealt with after a few days.
Avtar Krishen Kaul<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - shamu - 03-13-2005
A friend of mine told me that some astrologer argued that due to Karma of Bharat there was a curse on Bharat that it would be ruled by foriegners for 1000 years. That is what happened to India through the rule of 800 years by muslims and 200 years by British.
Both of us are trying to get the real source of this information. Is there anybody in this forum aware of such news? If yes, could you please post that here? Thanks.
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Sunder - 04-08-2005
Brihaspathi.net - a good link for English translations of Jyotish texts.
Parasara Hora Shastra
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 04-14-2005
<b>JAIMINI SUTRAS</b>
<b>List of free-to-read Vedic books</b>
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 08-26-2005
Books in Jyotisa - Sanskrit/Hindi
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 09-20-2005
via email-
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Vastu Shastra: An Established Science-II</b>
The importance of northeast angle in Vastu Shastra
      It is said that even though we may not have control over the astrological effects of the stars but Vastu certainly plays a role in positively modifying these effects provided we make wise use of the teachings of Vastu Shastra. Astrology emphasizes the importance of the positions and motions of planets and stars whereas Vastu Shastra is founded on the significance of directions. It is said that the state or condition (of a system) canât affect a direction but the directions (because of the geomagnetic, electromagnetic and subtler effects) do influence the state or condition. This is how vastu is believed to have relation with oneâs horoscope and influences oneâs stars to some extent. Thus, apart from the scientific basis ââ in terms of optimizing the favorable geographical impact and energy fields of natural powers and minimizing the negative or harmful effects ââ the significant role of vastu also emanates from the deeper mathematics of astrology.
     Experts of Vastu Shastra affirm that if the house one lives in is constructed in concordance with the principles and guidelines of this vedic science of architecture, one would be able to live without falling a victim to adversities and tensions even in this age of materialistic rat-race, loan based possessions, stressful competitions and struggles. With a little care in the relative positioning and arrangement of the living room, dining room, study room, bed room, office, clinic, shop, etc, one could expect to live, by and large, a peaceful, happy and prosperous life of goodness and nobility.
Let us look at some excerpts to get an idea of what exactly the scriptures say in the above context. Vishwarkarma, the founder of architectural knowledge, instructs that a plot selected for the construction of a house should be first divided into sixteen parts (to get the segments and angles on both sides of the eight principal directions). The map of the house should take into account the directions, which are auspicious or inauspicious for specific purposes. The different rooms, location of doors and windows in each should be planned accordingly. For example, the second chapter of âVishwkarma Prakashâ â a masterpiece of Indian architectural heritage, cites ââ
Ishanyam Devatageham Purvasyam Snanamandiram |
Ãgneyam Pakasadanam Bhandaragaramuttare ||
Ãgneyapurvayormadhyeda Dhimanthanamandiram |
Agnipreteshayormadhye Ãjyageham Prashasyate ||
Yamyanaiâatayormadhye Purishatyaga Mandiram |
Naiâatyambupayormadhye Vidyabhyasasyamandiram ||
Pashchimanilyormadhye Rodanartha Gâahamasmâatam |
Vayavyottararmadhye Ratigeham Prashasyate ||
Uttareshanayormadhye ushadharthantukarayet |
Naiatyam Sutikageham Napanam Bhumimichchitam ||
     Meaning: The worship and meditation chamber or temple should be constructed in the ishana angle (corner of the plot/house in the northeast direction); bathroom in the eastern direction, kitchen in the agneya angle (corner in the southeast direction), strong room or locker (safe for money and jewellery etc) should be made in the vayavya (northwest) direction and storeroom in the north. The portion between the northeast and eastern direction should be used for storage of dairy produce: milk, curd, buttermilk, butter, ghee etc. The sector of the plot/house between the south and the southwest (naiâatya) direction should be used for toilets and septic tank. Study room should be in the west or between the southwest and the west directions. The portion between the west and the northwest (vayavya) direction is best suited for constructing the solitude chamber (where one could sit in the moments of sadness and grief) and/or the family conference room (where people in the joint family could discuss family matter of mutual concern). The entertainment space should be provided nearby or in the northwest direction. Living rooms for the married couples should be made somewhere between the northwest and north direction.
     The portion (of the plot or the house) between the north and the northeast (ishana) direction is best suited for the construction of clinics, hospitals or the room for patient-care. The corner in the southwest direction should be used for labor room (for the birth and nursing of infants). The dining hall should be placed in the west; bedroom in the south, the reception or drawing room should lie between the east and northeast and the grocery store and cattle shed (if any) in the northwest direction. The weaponsâ room (or room for security guardâs duty), if any, should be in the southwest angle. The northwest direction is also suitable for garage (parking space for vehicles, if any). The garage could be made in the southeast direction as well, but the northeast direction should be avoided for this purpose. The well or water-tanks should be made in the east, west or north directions.
     The above scriptural description is a broad classification that could be used as per the rooms or the utilities required in the house (or any building) being constructed. If felt necessary, one can also make minor alterations or modifications in the existing settings of the house or building already built and in use, in order to minimize the adverse effects or to gain extra benefits of vastu. The scriptures unequivocally affirm the favorable and auspicious effects of architecture and interior designs as per the guidelines of Vastu Shastra. The houses constructed in contravention of these guidelines are often found attracting adversities such as theft, disputes, court-cases, severe losses, poverty, acute illness, etc.
     The treatises like âVishwakarma Prakashâ attribute special importance to the ishana angle (the northeast direction) in the selection and architectural map of the plot, construction of the house (building) and even the exterior and interior structure and settings of the rooms. This direction is regarded as highly surcharged with divine energies. This is why the scriptures guide â âIshanyam Devatagehamâ (temples, shrines and devotional meditation centers/rooms should be constructed in the northeast cornerâ¦.). As the Sun rises from the East, one naturally gets maximum (vital) energy from it in this direction. The northeast direction is enriched with the confluence of this energy pool with the magnetic and subtler energy currents of the earth and the etheric hole. The rishis, the Indian sages of Vedic Age had mastered this knowledge. This is why the sacred pilgrimage centers and ashrams of spiritual training in the ancient times were established in this direction near the holy rivers. We can still feel the distinctly enchanting, energizing and enlightening ambience at such sites.Â
     Modern scientists are well aware of the vital role of the heat, light and enormous kinds of energy radiations sent by the Sun on the earth. These are the determinants of the atmospheric and other changes, energy balances and natural phenomena on the earth. Although under a different approach and in a different language, the principles and theories of Vastu Shastra thoroughly take into account these interconnected effects together with the geological and geophysical aspects. The manifestations of God or the divine powers described in the vastucakra and invited and worshipped during the sacraments of Vastu Pooja are mostly the invocations of the energy currents and forces emanating/radiating from the Sun.
     India is the land instinct with sanctity and religious rituals. Spiritual energy is actively pervading in its sublime environment, in every aspect of its culture. This is why the Vedic knowledge of vastu is also associated with religious rituals here. Thus adoption of the principles and disciplines of Vastu Shastra also helps in spiritual endeavors and growth. The views of Vastu-expert Shri Gauru Tirupati are worth noting here. This scholar from Andhra Pradesh has written in âVastu Sandeshâ that the secret of Vastu Shastra lies in ideal and harmonious utilization of the five basic elements (the panca tatvas) and the hidden powers of Nature in the house. This is why enlightened persons prefer designing and constructing their houses according to the guidelines of Vastu Shastra.
     Shri Gauru also cites the examples of the great shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, etc in the Himalayas and those of the historic temples of Jagannath in Puri and Balaji at Tirupati etc, whose construction is in tune with the Vedic principles of Vastu Shastra. This is why these pilgrimage have been the source of attraction and uplifting experiences for millions of devotees and visitors from different parts of the globe since immemorial times. The shrines built as per the Vastu-instructions are said to work like (small or big) reservoirs of cosmic energy. This explains the emphasis laid in the Indian cultural customs upon preserving at least one room or corner of the house (in appropriate direction) for home-temple. Idols or pictures of Gods are also enshrined and worshipped in some hospitals, trade centers, etc owned by the believer in Vastu Shastra.
     As the home-temples or worship-chambers happen to be given paramount importance in a building according to Vastu Shastra, the ishana angle (northeast direction) being the principle axis of the location of the former also gets a prominent role in archeology. The east and the north directions are of significance in the Indian culture. The Vedic literature refers to the sun as the âsoul of the worldâ and it is also regarded as the source of vital power and health. The sun rises in the east, therefore meditating on the soothing radiance of the rising Sun in this direction in the early hours of the dawn is of great devotional and spiritual significance. The vedic scriptures on yoga describe the extrasensory energy centers like the sahastrar cakra, brahmrandhra and agya cakra to be subtly located in the north pole (cerebrum region) of our brain. Meditating on the rising sun activates these centers and thus awakens supernatural talents and powers.
     The idols of deities are enjoined to be kept so that the devotee faces the north or the east direction during worship. The Shastras recommend specific devotional practices for specific attainments. The directions, which the devotee faces during such sadhana are also of deep significanceââ it is said that the devotees praying for wealth should face the north, those aspiring for knowledge should face the east and those searching for peace and happiness should face the west.
     Whatever directions are prescribed in Vastu Shastra for the palaces, big buildings or major constructions, are equally applicable for small flats or rooms. For example, in a two room flat, one may place the idol or picture of the ishta devata1 in the northeast corner of the house or any one of the rooms. The size of the worship spot should be such that it does not occupy excessive space. For example, in small rooms, it could provide just enough space for one person to sit for devotional practice at a time. In case it is not possible to find a corner in the northeast direction, it will be most suitable to keep the idol or picture of deity facing the west so that the devotee would face the east while sitting or standing in front of it. Facing the east helps in rapid progress in mental concentration and is of special significance for the devotees of Gayatri Meditation,  Â
     There should be only one place of worship and devotion in a house. This being the focus of reverence for every member of the family becomes surcharged in its holy ambience and also helps in maintaining understanding, peace, harmony and love, in the family.Â
     The northeast direction is referred as a sacred direction in Vastu Shastra. We should also maintain a state of cleanliness and purity in this direction in our house and workplace. No heavy item (e.g, almirah, and table) should be kept in this direction; and should also avoid keeping a broomstick or any other sanitary item there. If not used for any devotional purposes, this corner (direction in the house) may be left clean and empty even if it happens to be located in the living room or the bedroom. Keeping dirt and debris in this corner of the house is said to attract malevolent effects such as difficulties, losses, tensions in personal (familial) relationships etc. However, the readers of Akhand Jyoti should be well aware that the Vastu principles and effects, like effects of any other forces in the gross manifestation of Nature, are only secondary to oneâs inner strength and dedicated endeavors towards soul growth. One need not panic if it is not possible to follow some or even none of the guidelines provided in the Vastu shastra..
     We should not forget that our rishis had taken full measure of the dimensions and limitations of human life and had provided humanly practical remedies against challenges of destiny or circumstances. Likewise they have also laid down guidelines to minimize or eliminate the negative effects, if any, of having a house designed against the Vastu principles.  We shall endeavour to discuss these in the succeeding installments..
Notes:
1.  Ishta devata: Divine manifestation that is the focus of oneâs devotion
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Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 10-31-2005
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Dearest Friends,
On this day 30th November 2005 (Dhanvanthari Jayanthi), I am delighted and proud to announce the launch of the Vedic Society Ayurvedic Scholarship Fund, a fund which aims to serve and support present and future generations by producing quality Vaidyas who can serve the society and the world with the healing wisdom of Ayurveda. We recognize the impact of a Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) on the society and also recognize the need for Ayurveda in the world today.
It has been long a dream for Vedic Society to establish such a fund to support talented individuals who would otherwise not be able to qualify as an Ayurvedic doctor due to financial restrictions. At the same time we wish to complement the existing framework of modern Ayurvedic education with a deep foundation of Gurukul education and spiritual _expression. We feel this combination of the formal training, the Gurukul education and spiritual practices will produce a Vaidya of the finest quality.
Starting November 2005, we will have our first student admission in Kathmandu, Nepal and as the fund grows we will enhance our support to more students. We also have a vision to support research and post-graduate studies in the near future.
Some features of the scholarship:
* Scholarship includes studies in meditation, yoga and pranayama to offer a consciousness based foundation for the students.
* Applicants are screened in accordance with Jyotish to see their suitability.
* 1 year in Gurukul education is offered after completion of BAMS degree with leading Vaidya Gurus.
* Sponsored students have full access to all Vedic Society resources and research and are encouraged to deepen and broaden their spiritual practices and also practice of Ayurveda in it's purest form.
For more information please contact info@vedicsociety.org
With Warmest Wishes,
Martin Gluckman
Vedic Society
http://www.vedicsociety.org
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 11-03-2005
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Mexico's Upcoming Vedic Conference (arganis@todito.com )
From: xyz@......
Date: Sunday, October 30, 2005
IEFAC
Convocation
The Institute of Philosophical Studies A. C., it is allowed to invite to all the investigators and scholars of social sciences to participate in :
1° International Encounter, Philosophy of the Religion in a Globalizade Postmodern World
Saltillo, Coah. Mexico. March 30-31, 2006.
Masterful Conferences
1.- The Religion and Bioétic ( abortion and euthanasy)
Dr. Horacio ElÃas Arganis Diaz Leal.
2.- Religion and human rights.
Monsignor Raúl Vera.
3.- Buddhism and Hinduism, their Axiological contributions to the Modern world.
Mtro. Henry Williams.
4.- Dr. Elio Masferrer Kan
Secretary of the Latin American Association for the Study of Religion.
Works Tables or Symposias
The Philosophies of Religion from India and their proposals.
The Theology of the Liberation and Perspectives.
The Right of religious Diversity in a globalizade world and postmodernity.
The Big Challenges of the Catholic Church.
Fundamentalist, Islamism and Terrorism.
The overpassing the antinomy Faith-Reason. (Religion ?science before the scientific-technological advances of the contemporary world.
The theological-proposal before a axiológical convulsed society.
Holocaust and Judaism to sixty years from II World War.
Reforms and Protestantism.
Esoterism and animism in the modern world.
Space open to suggest symposia.
There will be translators .
Inform:
Horacio Francisco Arganis Juárez
Coordinader:
arganis@todito.com
(844) 417-7-56
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Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 03-02-2006
Ya'all know of Vastu, Did ya'all know of VASTI? the origin of Feng Shui?
http://www.floridavediccollege.edu/vasati/vasati_history.htm
Don't make me tell you again and again, Indians Rock(ed)
Vedic Astrology And Associated Studies - Guest - 03-03-2006
a few random questions....
is it true that people who's surnames are Joshi were actually traditionally Jyotishis?? (thats where the surname comes from).
there was some indian king who could have won a war but was advised by some jackass astrologer not to attack on that day but wait for a more favourable day. he waited, his enemy gathered more resources and then he attacked - and lost. who exactly is this king and what consequence did this loss have on indian history?? maybe there is a lesson in this incident for us.
what are the kinds of astrology?? one is rashi based and other nakshatra based as far as i know. could someone elucidate these two - i mean what eaxctly is a rashi and whats a nakshatra?? and how are these different from the "zodiac" system of the greeks/westerners??
Alan leo in his books on astrology said that apart from the indians the other people who had a very ancient astrology are the chaldeans. from abraham seidenberg's writtings, most of chaldean math can be derived from indian math (the reverse derivation isnt possible). does someone know if the chaldean astrology was also similarly influenced by hindu astrology?
just at what point does the belief in astrology become superstition?? are believers in astrology to be considered credulous, fatalistic and superstitious types, who for every aspect of their life, rely on the pronouncements of their family astrologer??
whats the real purpose of astrology?? to predict the future or to state the character of a person. the future may turn out different, but a person's character generally stays the same throughout their life.
finally, between astrology and palmistry which is more accurate. whats the basis of palmistry, as different from astrology??