Guest guest Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Dear Friends, I may like to discuss some fundamental issues: ..1.Astronomical Nakshatras are spread all over the sky (not on Zodiac) in an irregular order. They are identified by one or group of stars, which are called yog Tara(S). All individual stars have a motion, which is called their proper motion. Individual Nakshatras can be recognized by the formation of unique patterns in the sky. It is better to call them as constellations as THE WORD NAKSHATRA IS DEFINED IN ASTROLOGY TO SIGNIFY SPECIFIC PURPOSE.( though constellation and nakshatras means same thing .These two words will used in this write up to indicate different connotation ). 2. In ASTROLOGY, the sky is divided in 27 equal segments, along the Zodiac, but these segments are in the sky and not placed on the zodiac. Each segment is called Nakshatras, commencing from Aswani and last one is called Revti.These segments are named based on physical visibility of the constellation in the sky. Each segment is of 13deg. 20’. 28th Nakshatra-‘ABHIJIT’ was also introduced, but it does not disturb the basic division of 27 nakshatra’s . This is identified by a specific segment in the sky within U.Asadha and Sravana.Abhijit ; and used for mahurts and prediction purposes in some specific cases and in special manner. 3. I am follower of the view that initial point of Aswani is exactly opposite to star Citra (Spica 16).This star is exactly in the centre of Nakshatra Citra of which this star Citra is also its yog Tara. This concept also provides the definition of ‘True Citra – Pakchha- Ayanamsa’ which is as under: Ayanamsa = Tropical longitude of star Citra – 180 deg. This is comparatively more reliable method, because Ayanamsa of present day era can be correctly calculated bases on longitudes given in star catalogue, which are verified on regular basis by actual observations also. Ayanamsa which is popularly known as Lahiri’s Ayanamsa, is also based on Star Citra, but with a difference. Calendar committee appointed by government of India fixed the initial point based on the calculated position of V.E.point of 285 A.D. as it was almost Opposite to Star Citra, having a difference of 3sec only. This point was chosen to give a civil calendar based on Tropical zodiac. This committee also decided to adopt this point as the initial point of sidereal zodiac, which is used in India for celebrating religious ceremonies, rites and festivals as well as astrological purposes. The majority of Panchang makers and astrologer started using this Ayanamsa, adopted by Lahiri’s Ephemeris and started calling it Citra Pakchha Ayanamsa, but Mr. Lahiri had never said so. Lahiri’s Ephemeris clearly gives the basis of Ayanamsa Value adopted in his Ephemeris. On account of proper motion of star Citra by 60 sec. since the year 285 A.D. Ayanamsa value indicated in Lahiri’s Ephemeris needs TO BE subtracted by 57 sec. (60 – 3) for the years 1950 to 2050A.D. (PROPER MOTION OF STAR CITRA IS ONLY 0.024 sec. per year presently, as such a adjustment of 57sec. is suggested while using Lahiri’s Ayanamsa in present century) Tropical longitudes of stars, given in Fifth Fundamental Catalogue (FK-5) claim accuracy with possible error 0f not more than o.o4 sec. from observed values. (Such accuracy in constructing star catalogues was unprecedented in the history of Astronomy) .As Vedic or Ancient astrology in India is practiced on stellar system, its initials point should be based on the precise longitude of some specific star. In India there is flood of self appointed authorities in the field of Astrology which are promoting all types of Ayanamsa(s), on different basis in the name of their preceptors. In such confusing situation, basic principles and dicta may start losing their credence and confident in the mind of poeple. Based on the above line of thinking, one of the following stars can be chosen as reference star: Star Moola –This star is almost at the junction pont of sidereal signs Scorpio and Sagittarius. Its proper motion is Zero when viewed from solar system.. One can give innumerable arguments in its favor day in and day out. They may say, it is only star, which is stationary when viewed from earth. But this only means that our solar system revolves round this constellation as a whole. It is further suggested that sidereal longitude of Star Moola be fixed as 120 deg.Thus equation of Moola Pakchha Ayanamsa will be as under : Ayanamsa == Tropical long. Of Moola – 120deg There are following arguments, which may go against star Moola as reference point for our Zodiac: a.Atharva Veda says ‘Aristam Moolam’. The axis of Moola and its opposite star Ardra IS IDENTIFIED WITH RUDRA. As solstice(s) are approaching this axis, there is no wonder that humanity is equipping itself with the means of self distruction.Why is such a point even be considered as reference ? b. Surya-Siddhanta indicates the longitude as one deg of star Moola in Moola Nakshatra, thus sidereal longitude of Star Moola will work out 240 deg.In case, Sidereal longitude of star Citra is fixed at 180 deg, Moola‘s longitude will work out 240deg 44’ 40â€, which is close to siddhantic value. c. Moola is not so bright star and away from our Zodiac about 13deg 47min in south. 2. Magha is a bright star and its latitude is 0 deg 28 min .Varha Mihira indicated longitude of this star 6 deg. This will work out 126deg in sidereal zodiac. If longitude of star Citra is taken 180 deg, the longitude of Magha will work-out 125deg59’ 15â€, Which is again close to Siddantic value. As star Citra is --1.opposite to initial point of our sidereal zodiac, 2.a bright and very massive star, and 3. 0nly 2 deg 3’18†away from zodiac, it is appropriate and logical choice for reference point. 3. Vahra Mihra indicated the longitude of Star Citra 6deg. 30’ i.e. on the middle point of Nakshatra Citra. Thus sidereal longitude of star Citra meets the saddhantic requirement. Star Moola is a centre point around which our solar system revolves; Star Citra acts reference point which fixes the initial point of sidereal zodiac. Zodiac signs were visualized by ancient sages in the sky, along the path of the earth around the Sun. It is difficult to fix the era, when signs were named by Vedic sages, but there are many references of sidereal signs based on Star formation in the in sky even in Rigveda .They were become very popular and being extensively used in Indian Astrology at least before 2000 B.C.( since 4000 thousand years back). Rigveda says (6-55-3): Rayoa dhara asi aaghrne vaso rashi ajaashv , dheevtodheevatah sakha. This means: 0h Aja and ASHWA, YOU ARE A STREAM OF WEALTH, A SCINTILLATING HEAP OF GEMS YOU ARE FRIENDS OF WISE AND INTELLIGENT. Rigveda richca 4-33-7 read with richa’s 3-9-4(referring to Leo), 3-39-3(referring to Gemini), 5-83-3 (again referring Leo), 6-47-5, 8-93-1, 7-55-7, 1-181-6 (referring Taurus) clearly indicated the change in seasonal cycles on the ingress of Sun in a particular sign in different era(s). These and similar other richa(s) should have been introduced in Rigveda in different eras, but it was much before the era of Ramayana and Mahabharata.Rigveda contains many references of sidereal signs along with star formations. Sign Aries should commence from the initial point of Nakshatra Aswani is the ancient Vedic concept. Zodiac signs were fixed and have permanent relationship with Nakshatras in sky (and also identified with physical constellations present in the sky). It was a late development, when Tropical signs were visualized to commence from V.E.point, and given the same names as Sidereal signs. In ancient Vedic period only sidereal signs were referred. No doubt, the days of Equinoxes ad Solstice were considered very auspicious for regulating seasonal/yearly cycles. But Makar Sankranti was always celebrated on the ingress of Sun in Sidereal Capricorn. Makar Sankranti and winter Solstice were falling on different days and were having different significance. In distance past, there was no possibility to name tropical signs after the name of constellations, as tropical signs have no relationship with stars. Stars are in sky and season cycle is only specific to Sun and revolution of earth round the Sun. In ancient past, it was not possible to pin point the location of V.E. point in the Zodiac and its presence on the Zodiac was recognized by full moon and new moon coinciding with the nearest day on which day and night were equal. As such, the concept of sidereal signs exists in the sky and synonym to the various shapes and configurations formed in the constellations, whereas Tropical signs are visualized on the path of earth around the Sun. As the longitudes and location of planets and stars are measured from the centre of earth, it is now convenient to measure Tropical co-ordinates. These are also required to formulate seasonal cycle , for introducing civil calendars and navigation purposes From time immemorial, Indians were using their festivals and astrological predictions based on sidereal zodiac which was initially and originally observed by VEDIC SAGES in ancient past. If ancient Vedic literature is scanned, the seasons were identified by ingress of Sun in different sidereal signs and were occurring in different signs in different eras. This also helps to fix time frame for different eras in distance-past as seasons were not permanently linked with sidereal signs. CONCLUSION : a) There are references of Stars, Nakshatras and Sidereal signs in ancient Vedic literature. b) Vishwamitra (third)-He gave tangible method to identify ingress of V.E.point in constellations based on his observations during the period of 2382-2352 B.C. THIS PAVED THE way FOR NAMING THE TROPICAL SIGNS. These signs were named after sidereal signs prevalent and in use India. c) True longitudes of lunar nodes should be used. In ancient times, it was the tradition to use mean Rah, as it was not possible to calculate true RAHU. Now the longitudes of True Rahu are available, there is urgent necessity to replace the use of mean with True Rahu. d) True Citra Pakchha Ayanamsa should be adopted based on Tropical longitude of Star Citra. Sidereal longitude of Citra should always be 180 deg. This will help in checking the correctness of Ayanamsa. e) Geocentric longitudes should always be used based on the measurements and observations of modern Astronomy. In fact Siddhantic principles paved the way for more accurate observations in the modern era with the help of improved methods and instruments. Modern Astronomy provides improvement in Siddhantic parameters, it does not reject them. Thought for the Day WERE REFERENCES OF SIDREAL SIGNS and Planetary Positions IN Valmiki Ramayan regarding the birth of Lord Shri Rama introduced at a later date? The answer is-“absolutely not.†Sidereal signs were known even in early Rigvedic era. When SUN was in sign Aries, Moon can not be in Punarvasu, this thinking is based on present method of fixing counting the thithis. LET’S NOT APPLY PRESENT METHOD ON PAST ERA(S). We shall examine this puzzle it in next mail.Regards G.K.GOELPh: 09350311433Add: L-409, SARITA VIHARNEW DELHI-110 076INDIA DELETE button is history. Unlimited mail storage is just a click away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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