Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Dear Dr. Satyaprakash, I agree with you to the extent that principles of one branch of astrology should not be, blindly, applied to another branch. At the same time they are inter-related. It therefore becomes incumbent upon an astrologer to go behind mere verbatim application of texts and understand the rationale behind what has been stated in the texts as available. Chandrashekhar. ---- Aum Namah ShivayaDear Rajinder ji,Wonder if you mis-read my text! Just two points. There is no doubt that quite often neecha (debilited) planets can be good in a materialistic sense, due to various reasons. But that is not our topic here. I was just outlining standard Muhurta rules (not my opinion). Secondly certain principles of MUHURTA (electional astrology) and SAMHITA (predominantly mundane astrology) **cannot be mixed with *Jataka or NATAL HOROSCOPY. And I haven't given *my* opinions here about Jupiter in Leo, I have given the classic stand on this. There is no doubt regarding Jupiter in Leo. All standard texts agree with what I have written. And I have written the summary of a few standard texts. And this one is for Sriram Nayak ji- the second point here answers your question partly. Not all principles of Muhurta can be extended to Natal horoscopy. You will understand this when you study Muhurta fully. The remaining part of your question touches upon nakshatras, their deities, nakshatra padas (quarters), their rulers (the basis of navamsa chakra), and other *basics of Muhurta. So I will try to post an article on these ideas i.e. the basics of Muhurta, after a few weeks.Regards,SatyaNote: Ancient Indian astrology was originally divided into three divisions which were later further classified into six divisions. Mathematical astrology, Mundane astrology, Natal astrology, Divination of Omens, Horary astrology and Electional astrology are the six divisions of Jyotish or Hindu astrology. A good astrologer is meant to be conversant with all these while he/she could specialize in some of these six divisions in order to be able to offer good counsel. While all these divisions are inseparable from each other, Horary astrology and Divination of Omens form a combined system. While all the divisions are part of one whole body, each is unique in its own way and has certain principles that should not be mixed with the principles of other divisions. Unfortunately most students are fascinated to and study Jataka largely and neglect other divisions. While some have partial knowledge of Muhurta, Sakuna is the most misunderstood of all. Very few have even studied it as a full fledged subject. Mathematical astrology (including astronomy) is also studied less. Part of the understanding of the nakshatras comes from a combined study of astronomy in the *light of the *Veda. Archives: vedic astrologyGroup info: vedic astrology/info.htmlTo UNSUBSCRIBE: Blank mail to vedic astrology-........ May Jupiter's light shine on us ....... __ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Attachment: (image/gif) IMSTP.gif [not stored] Attachment: (Image/gif) BackGrnd1.gif [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Aum Namah Shivaya Namaste, Where is the scope for any disagreement when you yourself have written what I have been writing time and again on this list? I have clearly written that they are not merely linked as you affirm, but "inseperable" and "part of one whole body". Read the exact sentence. If you have been on the list for atleast 2 to 3 yrs, you might remember what I myself write time and again. I will now quote from an old article of mine that was part of an editorial in an old issue of the Australian Council of Vedic Astrology's quarterly journal 'The Vedic Light'. I had posted it on this list back in 2001. Read on. ======================================= quote starts ----------------------------- ....."It now becomes clear that to understand any ancient Indian art or science all these three aspects are to be examined. So too with Jyotish. The spiritual principles of astrology have their basis in the Vedas. The Puranas depict the same truth as interesting stories making use of the powers of imagination of the mind. To miss these illuminating stories is to miss part of the teachings. Many well known classical works of Hindu astrology have been compiled/written during the Agamic/Tantric period. All the above tools have to be employed in any attempt to learn Jyotish if one hopes to glimpse even a fraction of the truth. In other words, the spiritual principles, the demystified stories and the classical works of astrology should all be utilized in the learning process. Apart from the above three aspects of learning Jyotish, another important point has to be kept in mind. Astrology is both an art and science. As a science, its principles work in patterns that are replicable. Otherwise it would cease to be a science. Unless its principles can be demonstrated to be replicable (under certain conditions), the student cannot place his/her faith in astrology as a science. For this reason it has to be studied with a scientific attitude so that one can discern dogma from scientific principles. This is the growing trend during the modern times. This aspect too has to be studied, though one should not forget that Jyotish is not a mundane science, but the divine science par excellence. The modern student of Jyotish has to keep in mind all the above factors. Hence to appreciate Jyotish fully one has to study all the following aspects.".... ......"Varahamihira (505AD), the most famous of all, is said to be a student of the second Parasara. Varahamihira systematized all astrological and astronomical knowledge available then in the form of books. He influenced and was in turn influenced by the western astronomers and astrologers. He has codified and verified the principles enunciated by various other astrologers and rishis. He was catholic in his outlook and embraced astrological principles from foreigners too, whom he held in respect. Varahamihira had written excellent books on all the three main divisions of Jyotish- Jataka, Samhita and Siddhanta. While Parasara is considered the father of Jyotish, one can say that in many respects Varahamihira is the father of modern Jyotish.".... ....."One last word. Vedic astrologers have one big advantage that astrologers of other traditions probably have in a lesser measure. A rich body of knowledge, both oral and written, as well as known and hidden. But it should be remembered that the available data is incomplete and altered. For some reasons, certain places have been altered, new verses inserted, and so on. A lot that is attributed to sages like Parasara or Jaimini may not be really authentic. While this is the case with the so-called teachings of the sages, we should be open to the fact that the works of later authors could be erroneous here and there. Of course they derived their ideas from the teachings of the sages. While they are all brilliant, couldn't we be open to the fact that they could also make some mistakes. Aren't there enough contradictions? So is it really worth repeating verses like parrots? Shouldn't we investigate first into the truth behind some dictums? Do they work as they are? Or do we need any research or modifications? What I am suggesting is that if we can doubt some words of a 20th century scholar, how can we blindly think that a 15th or 16th century scholar, or for that matter, any other scholar is infallible? I am not questioning tradition here. All I am saying is that tradition shouldn't become binding. The rich base that these great minds gave us should be valued, but not taken blindly. So most literature should be taken as a starting point, but not blindly in an unquestioning manner. Do western astrologers take Ptolemy or Hipparchus or anyone else as an infallible authority as we do so with a Mantreshwara or Vaidyanatha? Though they are all brilliant, can't we be open to change and a healthy research mind? Faith and perseverance will surely help, but will not further the cause of the subject. So what do we do? Lapse into inaction and despair? No. We should be cautious when we take certain verses literally. Where do we draw the line? I am nobody to say anything definitely. I can only say what I myself do. Take the words of the sages reverentially, but keep in mind that the available data is incomplete and altered. Treat the scholars' (human) works as the foundation, but have a healthy questioning attitude. Try new things to see if they really work. Be open to good ideas wherever they come from. Tradition has its role. Undeniably we are very lucky to have such a rich base handed down to us. But we cannot stop there. When in doubt over a scholar's opinion, a saint's words are taken as more authoritative. In all matters of philosophy the teachings of the saints may be considered from time to time. One can pray and hope for guidance. We should be open to the truth in whatever form or wherever it comes from. If there are certain techniques in Western astrology that can enhance our understanding or practice of Jyotish as an art or science, we should gladly be open to them. Science cannot stagnate. Each generation has to contribute something to further our knowledge. While this is applicable to Jyotish too as a science, the foundations of Jyotish will remain unchanged, for they are based on certain timeless truths. The spiritual principles of Jyotish are based on relatively higher occult truths. This part of Jyotish will not change. And any attempt to tamper with these principles will break the very foundations of Jyotish. Truth is a pathless land. No country or religion or path can claim it exclusively. Salutations to all the brilliant astrologers! Salutations to all the sages who revealed the divine knowledge! Salutations to the One radiant Self that shines in all!".... ============================== quote ends ---------------------------- All the above paragraphs have been taken from a single article written in 2001. There is more in the article. But the above sample is sufficient to assess what I myself advocate. In essence I guess there seems to be hardly any disagreement. Regards, Satya ============================= vedic astrology, "Chandrashekhar Sharma" <boxdel> wrote: > Dear Dr. Satyaprakash, > I agree with you to the extent that principles of one branch of astrology > should not be, blindly, applied to another branch. At the same time they are > inter-related. It therefore becomes incumbent upon an astrologer to go > behind mere verbatim application of texts and understand the rationale > behind what has been stated in the texts as available. > Chandrashekhar. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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