Many questions have emerged about Jyotisha. What it is Jyotisha, how do celestial bodies influence human life on earth? And how did Jyotisha come about? Let’s have a look at the history of Jyotisha.
Jyotisha is derived from the Sanskrit word Jyoti, which means light. Jyotisha is a study of science of light with mathematical astronomy to describe the quality of our life and destiny.
Jyotisha is an ancient Indian astrological science which is used to keep track of time, differentiate between good and bad periods, to calculate eras, and to have self-awareness. It is considered to be one of the oldest systems of astrology in the world with its study of movements of planets with respect to earth.
Jyotisha is part of ancient texts called Veda. Jyotisha is known as Eyes of Vedas because it helps to realize the purpose of life and spiritualize the consciousness of a person. It brings awareness to our mind in such a way that we can gracefully learn and accept lessons of life.
The Vedas are religious texts from the Vedic era of ancient India. There are four Vedas: The Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. These are the oldest Sanskrit literatures and scriptures of Hinduism.
Six vedangas (limbs of Vedas) were formed to understand and interpret these Vedas which were written many centuries earlier. Among the six vedangas, one is Jyotisha. The other 5 are Shiksha, Chandas, Vyakarana, Nirukta, and Kalpa.
There are three branches in Jyotisha which are Ganita, Samhita and Hora:
Ganita: this branch deals with the complex mathematics of astronomical basis of Jyotisha. It describes in detail about calculations of positions of planets and eclipses. A famous scripture is Surya Siddhanta, a Sanskrit manuscript on astronomy written during 4th or 5th century.
Samhita: this branch deals with understanding human life with connection to nature. It refers to atmospherical changes, floods, natural disasters, agricultural produce, national & political relations, gems, rituals, etc.
Brihat Samhita is an important text on the Samhita branch which describes planetary motions, eclipses and individual horoscopes.
Hora: this branch deals with individual horoscopes and Muhurta also known as electional astrology. Muhurta is used to find most auspicious time to get maximum benefits from daily life activities.
In earlier age, the great sages used to observe celestial bodies carefully and noticed about changes in Moon’s movements, atmospherically changes happenings, sun’s movements and came out with their own theories. The panchanga (calendar) was used to predict auspicious times for Vedic rituals based off of these movements.
Maharshi Lagadha is the original author of Vedang Jyotisha. Parashara, Varahamihira, Vashishta, Brugu, Garga, Bhaskaracharya and Aryabhata are very well known scholars. We find many ancient Sanskrit texts on Jyotisha, astronomy and mathematics calculations. Some texts available now are Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Saravali, Jataka Parijata, Sarvartha chintamani and Horasara.
The Maharishis during Vedic time had the knowledge of solar and lunar calendars, the sunrise, sunset, moonrise, zodiac signs, Nakshatra’s (constellations), planets and their movements and their effects on human life. They figured out Uttaraayana and Dakshinayana based on sun’s rays and Masa (lunar months), and Paksha and Rutu which are seasons.
The Maharishis included all these essentials in the Panchanga (Hindu calendar). Even in present day the Panchanga is used to determine the timings of festivals and other cultural rituals. The readings and calculations of planets and eclipses from the Panchanga are similar to modern astronomical researches.
In the next article let’s learn more about solar and lunar months and how they came about!
Jataka Phala Saara 