Dr.Bhawaan B.R.V Tatavarthy
[Ref: Call for Papers and Participation in a Seminar titled “Restoration of Traditional Knowledge Systems and Reforming the Educational System.”]
This is an attempt to focus on some of the fundamental ideas based on which scientific postulates are formulated, experimented, and proved or disproved. It has the intricacy of Mathematics, the fascination of Physics, and the effect of Psychiatry. We need to look out for all learned intellectuals to supplement their knowledge, to derive a new strategy for research, and to pass on our ANCIENT TRADITIONS to the coming generations.
Astrology is born with history. The existence of the entire earth is based on the Sun. Sun, heavenly Gods, and stars are all the causes of rains. To show gratitude, it is customary to perform Yagnas. Upon receipt of crops, performance of Yagnas gives the Havissam to these bodies. The Vedas advocate “Yagna Karmas.” The time for performing Yagnas is also determined in the Vedas. Astrology indicates the method of identifying auspicious times. In this way, Astrology became a Vedanga as a time-indicatory science. It took a prominent position among all the Vedangas, like that of human science.
Food is essential for all living beings. The production of food depends on rains. Seasons are causes for rain. Seasons depend on the Sun. So, the rains and seasonal changes like winter came into existence since that time. Astrology reflects the routine activities of human beings with a sense of time, referred to as “Prakruthi Dharma.”
In the Vedas, plenty of astrological aspects like Samvatsara kala (year), Chandra masa (lunar month), Surya masa (solar month), allocated days, months, seasons (ritu), ayans, years, yugas, planetary orbits with their details, and stars’ equinoxes were clarified.
The Vedas are the primitives of all world literature. Western scholars have expressed various opinions about their antiquity. Weber opined that the Vedas are “age-long.” Max Muller researched and dated the Vedas to 1200 BC. McDonald reexamined them as 1500 BC, Witney as 2000 BC, and Brenhauter as 200 BC. Geological researchers indicate that ancient Aryavartha had four boundaries. Before the evaporation of these four seas, the Rigveda came into existence. This shows that astrology exists for more than one lakh years, according to Siddhantha.
“Bharateeya Jyothisha” of Dr. Nemi Chandra Sastry gives the following division of time:
Period before to 10,000 BC — Andhakara (Dark) Kala
10,000BC to 500 BC — Udaya (Rising) Kala
500 BC to 500 AD — Adi (Ancient) Kala
501 AD to 1000 AD — Poorva Madhya Kala
1001 AD to 1600 AD — Uttara Madhya Kala
1601 AD up to now — Adhunik (Modern) Kala
The creation, the growth of living beings in it, movements, different shapes, natures, and energy for motion are factors to be known for the utility of mankind. The knowledge of science arises from deep thinking and the constant search for the cause behind human acts and thoughts.
After observing all these, primitive man concentrated on enjoying happiness by identifying DIK (direction), DESA (place), and KALA (time). Gradually, lifestyle changed—from food knowledge, medical knowledge, and moral science to reduce conflicts, to spiritual science to achieve happiness and a prosperous life. He moved out according to time to collect food, experiencing happiness, sorrows, and illness. To remove illness and maintain sound health, he invented the use of herbs as medicine and followed spiritual paths for greater enlightenment.
Since time immemorial, saints recognized the effects of planetary forces on human beings and included them in the Vedas, as they could visualize these planets and their effects through Yogadristi (Vision). The various aspects of time and its determination made astrology take a prominent place.
Veda means a science worth knowing. Vedas are not meant solely for astrological aspects; they were taught whenever there was an occasion. On examining the Vedas, it is understood that astrology was mingled with the routine schedules of mankind. In the Vedas, plenty of astrological aspects were explained along with various other Dharma Sastras.
We find in Vedic culture, areas of study, progress, and expression that are as relevant today for human advancement as they were thousands of years ago. India and its Vedic culture have contributed much to the world, such as music, astronomy, holistic medicine, and the mathematical system.
In Vedangas:
Sikha/Sikshna [Phonetics]: The ways of pronunciation of ‘Varnas’ and ‘Swaras’. It further deals with the pronunciation of Udatta, Anudatta, Swanita, Harswa, Deergha, and Pluta of Veda mantras. Thirty scripts are available on this subject at Yajnavalkya Siksha. Paninneeya Siksha is prominent.
Vyakarnam [Grammar]: This knowledge helps gain command over language and pronunciation. Panini is the famous book on Vyakarnam.
Chandas [Metre]: The beauty of a sentence or sloka in literature is achieved through proper usage of varna, laya, etc. Nirukta deals with various aspects of word meanings, Mantrartha Devatas, and the appropriate use of phonic sounds in context.
Astrology: Jyothi means light, and light rays naturally emanate from the Sun. Since time immemorial, the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets have been recognized as sources of light and other types of energy.
Kalpa: Shrouta Sutras, Griha Sutras, and Sulbha Sutras are collectively termed Kalpa. The Vedas are called Shruti. Daily life principles are in Shrouta Sutras. Family life, including wife and husband relations, is detailed in Griha Sutras. Performing Yagna, the size of the Yagna Kundali, and related procedures are in Sulbha Sutras.
As such, astrology initially started as a special science among Vedangas and took prominence in day-to-day human activities. Astrology is treated as the “Eye of Vedapurusha.”
Rigi Jyothisha, written by Lagada, is the initial book on astrology, dating to 500 BC [36 karkas are available]. At a later period, Yajusha Jyothisha, with 49 slokas, deals with Kala Parva knowledge. In Vedic Jyothisha, only Sun and Moon transits are explained; other planets are not included.
Atharva Jyothisha pertains to predictive astrology, comprising 162 stanzas in 14 chapters. It is a form of discussion by Pitamaha and Kasyapa and explains the division of time, furious stars (Roudra Nakshatras), mild stars (Soumya Nakshatras), Karma Yoga Nakshatras, and Karana Nakshatras.
According to ancient Indian history, people often died of simple ailments. The Rishis aimed to eradicate them, acquiring knowledge that was codified as Ayurveda.
Thus, astrology and Ayurveda are two limbs of Vedic sciences, like branches of the same tree. Many astrologers practiced Ayurveda, and many Ayurveda doctors were astrologers. Ayurveda is primarily based on the concept that the planets and their movements are intimately connected with the human body and mind. Astrology determines the basic physical constitution of human beings and indicates which planet affects which part of the body. Ayurveda provides cures using various herbs, roots, metals, and extracts. Therefore, understanding the relationships between planets and plants, as well as the effects of planets on human minds, is essential.
Astrology and Ayurveda share much in common and both are grounded in Vedic science and the planetary influence on living beings. Ayurveda views ailments as a natural process, with cures also derived from nature. Its three main aspects are:
- Aetiology – the science of the causes of disease
- Symptology – the study and interpretation of symptoms
- Medication – the ways and means of curing diseases
The system aims to understand the eternal truths of the human body, mind, and spirit, seeking permanent cures.
Sounds provoke various mental responses in humans, such as headache, irritation, or pleasure. Animal and bird sounds are not uniform in nature. The Swaras, taking form as Ragas, reveal that Ragas born due to positive aspects of planets can cure diseases caused by the negative effects of the same planets. The planetary varnas and the musical sangeeta varnas are comparable.
Planets Varnas Colors
Ravi [Sun] Ga Gold color
Moon Ma White with yellow tint
Mars Ri Red
Mercury Sa Green
Jupiter Da Yellow
Venus Ni Multi-color
Saturn Sa Black
The relation between colors and swaras, and colors and planets, has been thoroughly studied and is used for curing diseases. Among swaras, Hindola is associated with love, Deepaka raga with kindness, Megha raga with daringness, and Bhairava raga with peace. Scientists have experimentally derived and confirmed these utilities through experience. However, one cannot conduct laboratory experiments regarding the effects of planets.
In the evaluation of Indian astrology, Astro-Mathematics was developed. In 476 AD, Aryabhata and Bhaskar made significant contributions, which remain popular even today. Notably, the concept of zero is attributed to their findings.
In Aryabhateeya, there are four main chapters: Geetika Pada, Ganita Pada, Kalakriya Pada, and Gola Pada. Aryabhata also created technical symbols, where each alphabet represents a specific number.
A = 1
I = 100
U = 100 = 10,000
Ru = 100 = 10, 00,000
Iu = 100 = 100,000,000
E = 100 = 10,000,000,000
Ai = 100 = 1,000,000,000,000
O = 100 = 100,000,000,000,000
Au = 100 = 10,000,000,000,000,000
Ka = 1 Ta = 11 Pa = 21 Sha = 80
Kha = 2 Tha = 12 Pha = 22 Ksa = 90
Ga = 3 Da = 13 Ba = 23 Ha = 100
Gha = 4 Dha = 14 Bha = 24
Nya = 5 Na = 15 Ma = 25
Cha = 6 ta = 16 Ya = 30
Chha = 7 tha = 17 Ra = 40
Ja = 8 da = 18 La = 50
Jha = 9 dha = 19 Va = 60
Ni = 10 na = 20 Sa = 70
The total rotation of the Sun presented as Khu, Yu, Ghr, means Khu,Yu, Ghr if it deco defied that Sun’s rotation are 4,320,000 years.
In Ganita Pada : It consists of 33 stanzas. He explained the numbers, which are increased in 10.
Eka = 1
Dasa = 10
Sata = 100
Sahasra = 1000
Koti = 10,000,000
Arbuda = 100,000,000
Vrinde = 1,000,000,000
Remaining stanzas explained Square, Cube, Square Root, Cube Root, Vargas, Kshetra, Ghana phala, Kshetra phala of triangles, cone, circle, and its kshetraphala gola ghana phala etc., Circles, radius, circumferences were given.
Before introduction of Indian Astrology, Western Scientists thought that ‘Sine’ was first introduced by ‘Albarooni’ of Arab country. But after observing this “Aryabhateeyam’ westerns changed their mind and accepted that Indians have this theory in 4th and 5th centuries itself. The theory of ‘Pythagoras’ is explained in ‘Sulbha’ sutras. Many countries support this statement.
Kalakriya Pada: There are 25 stanzas, stating time measurement indicated for months, days, Nadi, Kshetra vibhaga is similar to kala vibhaga where divisions of ‘lipta, vilipta, tatparas’ all given this.
Gola pada: There are 50 stanzas, indicated the sun movements, starting point from Aries to Virgo moves to North and from Libra to Pisces towards South. He explained minimum distance of Sun to the remaining Planets [4th stanza]. The Earth and remaining half part in opposite direction to Sun [5th stanza] like this he explained various aspect including when the person travels on the boat, the trees and other objects on the land appear to the moving opposite direction due to rotation of Earth. Among the ancient astronomers, Aryabhatt was first to accept to Earth rotation theory [11th stanza]. North and South poles, Astro mathematics and calculations of Sun and Moon, Eclipses are indicated.
The greatness of Aryabhatta in the field of astronomy is spread in Arab Countries in 8th and 9th centuries, Almansoor, Almam made it popular. In 360 AD ‘Dayophantas’ and other Greek mathematics scholars had very little knowledge of Geometry compared to ‘Aryabhatta’ who is calculated many unknown results in the field of Geometry.
In the Indian astro-mathematical history ‘Aryabhatta II’ in 950 AD, he wrote ‘Mahasiddhanta’. It is a book on astrology. It contains 18 Chapters namely ‘Adhikaras’ 625 stanzas having the meter of ‘Arya’, specified the ancient astro-mathematics information very clearly and widely given. He also analyzed the calculation of ‘Chaturbhuja’
Other well noted Astro – Mathemations are ‘BHASKARA II and I. Bhaskara I wrote 2 books namely ‘Mahabhasaskareeya and Lagubhaskareeya’ which are available. Another book ‘Aryabatta tantra bhashya’ is not available. He belongs to 629 AD.
Bhaskara II wrote two books ‘Siddhanta Siromani and Karanakutoohala’. Siddhanta Siromani having 4 parts those are “Leelavathi’ [Patiganitha], ‘Beejaganita’, ‘Ganitadhyaya’ and ‘Goladhyaya’. ‘Measurements’ given in the chapters were followed by Indians and other countries also. Further he gave adding, deductions, multiplications, divisions, square, square root, cube, and cube root in details. In “Triprasna vasana’ he explained methods to sun rise, and day etc., Moon is situated below the ‘Pitrudevatas’. While giving the details about eclipses, he supported mythological view of ‘Rahu’ is the cause for this. In ‘Brihatsamhita Varahamihara also told the same with slight changes.
In ‘Yantradhyaya’ many details about ‘machines’ and calculation of the planetary planes. He told that the ‘mind’ [Buddhi] is the good machine of all, and ‘Gola’, ‘Nadeevalaya’, ‘Yashti’, ‘Shanku’, ‘Ghati’, ‘Chakra’, ‘Chapa’, ‘Turya’, and ‘Phalaka’ are nine machines and their details given.
Evolution of astrology in western countries: Astrological researchers are continuing in all places of the world wherever light is found. Firstly, their researches started by astro-materials in the sky. When they say one theory, it may turns to another theory in a new way.
‘Ptolemy’ [ancient yavana writer] is the first person among western famous astrologists. He wrote an astrology book ‘Tetro Biblos’ in four volumes. Alen Leo is famous for modern astrology.
Mespatomea: There are two rivers as the home for the ancient civilization namely ‘Tigris and Euphretis’. This country is combined with ‘Asseerians and Babiloneans’ in 607 BC They preserved their observations on mud-plates. Their Ephemeris is depending on the new-moon day.
Ezypt: Known for ancient civilization in 4000-3000 BC. It seems Greeks [yavanas] learnt geometry here. They prepared their Ephemeris depend on rise of Sirius star.
China: The Chinese people made astronomical studies from 4000 BC calculating the eclipse and in 2608 BC built a planetarium to correct the mistakes in Ephemeris. In China and Veda of India their researches made number studies constellations.
Greeks: The famous Greek scientists and their astronomy and astrological researchers are ‘Pteleez’ 640 BC, ‘Pythogrous’ 550 BC, ‘Eudaxus’ 400 BC, ‘Aristorcus’ 275 BC, ‘Eratosyneez’ 230 BC, ‘Apaloneas’, 200 BC, ‘Hiporcus’ 150 BC.
(i) Astronomy, (ii) Almanac, (iii) Astrology, (iv) Horary, (v) Omens; the five branches together become astrology. A mathematical calculation of planets and influences on human life is called astrology and their overall influence becomes ‘Samhita’. It got recognition as separate branches in the sciences of astrology. The methods mentioned in astrology for proper performance of various religious functions in the day-to-day life are ‘Samhita’. It is an encyclopedia. The study of earthquakes, exploration of earth, investigations in determining directions, atmosphere, orbit etc., were clearly enumerated.
It is essential to conduct research on various topics in Astrology / Samhita on the original rules contained in the old texts for the benefit of the society.
Meteorological Observations:
The investigations into the atmosphere are a special item under Samhita. The total amounts of rainfall during the year and instant rains and their knowledge have been already famous. The transitions of the Sun in various constellations have been treated as Kaartes of those particular constellations. The rainfall, its volume is made known through the available proverbs of villagers. It shows that the knowledge of samhitas already existed with the villagers. A careful study of these subjects combined with day-to-day practical knowledge gives fruitful results. By this we can be able to take precautionary measures which will be more advantageous to farmers.
Astro-meteorology is a science dealing with laws governing atmospheric conditions and rainfall, storms and cyclones, etc., which are most important for mankind. The hypothesis of the ancient astrologers is that star and planetary power are transmitted to earth without attenuation or with distance and mass. Scientists could not assimilate, understand and imagine such a hypothesis, since it is not amenable for verification through their laboratories. Gravitational waves because of magnetic disturbances are electrical disturbances, so that SUNSPOTS synchronized with sudden and violent electric currents in the earth, are synchronized with oscillations in the atmosphere. Since atmospheric pressures synchronizes with rain, wind storms and earthquakes; the ebbs and tides of gravitational waves of universe control the solar system and the solar system is controlled by sun. Sun absorbs star and planet power, transmits it to the moon and is reflected back to the earth. So, sun is the transmitter and moon is the reflector. The most important planet which induces a cyclone is the moon who gives finishing touch in timing the depressions, cyclones etc.
Usefulness of ALMANAC:
The kalayadyabdas [number of years passed on from commencement of kali yuga] are useful to count the long duration belonging to the apices. At present the historical events are counted with reference to ‘Huna saka’ [Christian era]. Prior to the introduction by the British people in our country, the time was counted with reference to ‘Salivahana saka’. ‘Hijari’ is a saka of Mohammedans.
The Almanac consists of ‘Tithi’ [lunar day], ‘Vara’ [week-day], ‘Nakshtra’ [star], ‘Yoga’ [combined effect of the Sun and Moon], and ‘Karana [half part of a lunar day].
Almanac can show the time of sunrise and sunset of the day, lunar month, ritu cycles, festivals, muhurtas for doing auspicious functions, intricate details of quantum of rainfall along with the stage of growth of agricultural yield with effects of transits of the sun, diseases, digits of gains and loses, rajayoga and avamanam [Kandaya phalas] in that particular year with reference to the birth star. Inauspicious muhurtams ‘Moudhya’ [Jupiter and Venus combustion with Sun] periods and ‘Subha Muhurtams to perform functions etc. Apart to this, the procedure of formation of ‘Nava Nayakas and analysis of their results and the effects of the planets influencing the conditions of the country, rain fall of the year and its suitable types of crops to be taken up in the agriculture operations can be thought over.
Birth is common to all living beings. Just like human beings animals also had handsome and beautiful body occurs. The prominent animals like, cow, dog, horse, elephant etc occupy unique importance in animal palmistry. The influence of the animals do good or bad reflects to the owner. More and more details about animal palmistry are in the works of Samhita to distinguish auspicious and inauspicious signs of the animals.
To conclude from the above truths and facts, Indian scholars proved a theory not only in Indian traditional ways but also in modern theory of mathematics through astrology defiantly, enable to know all day-to-day human life activity in related with planetary movements. Not only that, the Vedic science of astrology explains insight of knowledge of botany, zoology, metrology, psychology, medical [ayurveda] field. Hence, it is appropriate to say that astrology is a prominent and primitive science among all traditional sciences.
Email: bhawaanbrv@gmail.com
References:
- Fundamental of Astrology, SPT University, Hyderabad, India.
- Astrology History, SPT University, Hyderabad, India.
- Samhithas, SPT University, Hyderabad, India.
About the Author:
Dr. Bhawaan has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Astrology by the Interamerican University of Humanistic Studies (U.S.A.) and is a member of the Astrological Association (U.K.) and the International Vedic Federation (U.S.A.).
He is an Astrological consultant and specialist in Muhurtam, Medical Astrology (Research Project), Compatibility of Horoscopes, and Predictive Astrology.
He is also the President of the Hyderabad Chapter of the International Federation of Astrology & Spiritual Sciences and Secretary of the Hyderabad Science Association.
