Jyotish: Science, Ability and Limitation

JYOTISH : THE SCIENCE OF LIGHT
Jyotish is the science of light. The word "Jyoti" means light. Jyotish is known by the names: "Vedic Astrology", "Hindu Astrology" or "Indian Astrology".

Jyotish is the science of light and light is a form of energy. Light carries the information of events with it. When mind registers the light through the eyes, the event becomes evident to us. In other words, light is one of the main factors that make the time continuum possible. It brings certain continuity between events as it carries vital information from one event and enables its effects.

Let us use an example. If a friend, who is sitting next to you, is suddenly sick, and this information is arrested by arresting the energy that carries this information, then, you would not realize that your friend is sick. Imagine something that arrests both the light and sound that it cannot reach you. In such a case, the effect of his cries for help will not be there on you. Whereas, the moment you get this information, you will act. It is safe to presume that light carries information and enables cause and effect. Here light should be understood as energy.

Cause and effect enables time. Time is defined as the interval between two events. If events do not exist, then, time cannot exist. In our deep sleep (dreamless sleep) we get a glimpse of no-time situation.

The ancient seers of India recognized these facts and employed them beautifully into a subject of Jyotish. Jyotish Astrology takes its subject matter from the very basis of space and time and it does not lack in its scientific approach.

JYOTISH AS A VEDANGA
Vedanga refers to those bodies of knowledge that are the "limbs" to the Vedas. In other words, it aids in understanding of the Vedas.

It would be important to understand what Vedas are. The word "Veda" means knowledge. Vedas contain aphorisms to understand the true identity of ourselves. Many people think Vedas are part of Hindu Religion. It would correct to say that Hindu Religion has adopted itself from the Vedas. Vedas are universal and came before the word "Hindu" came into being.

Jyotish is an Vedanga and in its approach it follows the Vedic teaching. Jyotish cannot go against the Vedas in its teaching or analysis.

Jyotish follows the principle of freedom of choice. It gives individuals the right to choose in any given situation. The choices always available to an individual in any given situation of life are:

1. To react (anger, jealousy, envy, fear, fight, arrogance, likes, dislikes, etc.)

2. To pro act (do one's action as required by the call of duty, without involving oneself in the above reactions).

3. Remain calm without any action (Realizing the results are given by the lord, and accepting them without any reaction)

The 2nd choice has all the elements of the 3rd choice. Jyotish as a subject, never undermines these choices. With these choices, one can change one's future. With the first choice, one can enhance the difficulties in one's destiny and with, the second and third choice, one can enhance the quality of destiny in happiness and success. Each time you make the 2nd or 3rd choice, you weaken the reactions within yourself. Over a period of time, you stop reacting at all. Jyotish understands this principle and employs it.

Jyotish never promises a pre destined life. Mother, father, brother, sister may be predestined but not your future. Your future depends upon the choices.

JYOTISH AND ITS ABILITY TO FORESEE THE FUTURE
Most people in the world, neither study the Vedas nor attempt to understand them. They are not aware that they have the above mentioned choices. They become mechanical in their thinking and actions. They are easy to predict.

How are such people easy to predict should be understood scientifically. For example, if a ball is set into motion on a surface whose friction quotient is known and the force and direction applied to the ball and its dead weight is known, then, we can calculate in which direction the ball will move and for how long.

Jyotish uses the same principle. It analyses the planetary forces on an individual and determines, where it will take that person and for how much time. If the person does not use the choice (2 or 3), there would be no interjection to the planetary forces and prediction could be made with ease.

In case the person reacts, the planetary forces get strengthened for the worse and the event shall happen, probably before the stipulated time.

In case the person uses choice 2 and 3, the planetary forces get interjected and poor results are either delayed or reduced in magnitude or removed all together. As science and chaos theory states, tiny imperfections can bring huge amounts of changes in any system. Similarly, tiny interjections of choices 2 and 3, bring huge changes over the years. A person totally free from reactive ness, is very difficult to predict through jyotish.

HOW IS JYOTISH HELPFUL
The Jyotish word for planet is "graha". Graha means "the seizer". It can be said that planets (grahas) seize the individual and tend to "make him/her" react in a particular manner. Jyotish understands what forces are binding the individual and harming in the goal of life. Jyotish also checks of possible health hazards, financial difficulties, problems in associating with other individuals through marriage, relationship or business. Jyotish makes an individual realize the choices and helps the individual understand his/her psychological personality.

Jyotish readies a person for the present and the future. It enhances value to life of an individual. It help removes many negative traits and its corresponding problems that might have manifested in the future, had these traits not been removed.
Jyotish, in effect, is a life changing subject. It relates to everything in a person's life. It can guide an individual towards riches, business, health, career, marriage, friendship and towards fulfilling sexual life.

Jyotish readings should be read, carefully understood and acted upon. They should also be preserved for future reference.

JYOTISHI
The person who practices Jyotish is called a "Jyotishi". A Jyotishi is also known as a Vedic Astrologer or a Hindu Astrologer or an Indian Astrologer. It is the duty of the Jyotishi to help people understand the basics of Jyotish and the choices available.
It is also the duty of a Jyotishi to not to present the readings or predictions from Jyotish in a deterministic way. Jyotishi has to respect the status of Jyotish as an Upa veda and should not consider the subject of Jyotish as end all of things.