Vedic Astrology: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes it is. Science studies causes and effects and so does astrology. Scientific models are made into laws upon finding that they are replicable. As Astrology deals with a human being and as the element of human choice is free from cause and effect, the laws of astrology aren’t always replicable.

In no ways does that suggest that Astrology isn’t a Science as it knows its limitations. In all other respects, it follows the scientific way of thinking. It takes precise measurements of energy and measures their likely effect on an individual. All the calculations in the natal chart are based on Astronomy. For further reading please read the article Scientific View of Astrology.

How important is it to be intuitive for an astrologer if it is a science?

Intuition is an insight or cognition without the accompanying rational processes. Astrologers use intuition only to determine how the energies change in their effects upon exercise of human choice.

Are human beings bound by the course of planets?
They are bound only to the extent of their body and blood relations. One cannot change one’s father or mother. To say their whole lives are bound, would be incorrect. Human beings have the choice to be bound by the events or situations caused by the course of the planets. In other words, the events or situations that you may come across in life, is bound to the course of the planet, but, whether you choose to react to it or not is totally a matter of your choice. Please read the article on Scientific View of Astrology to better understand this concept.

How do planets affect human lives?
Any event on Earth is caused by some force or energy. The primary sources of energy are Sun and also the gravitational force among the planets, besides other cosmic forces.

These energies either directly dictate or through their transformation into secondary sources dictate the events in human lives. To say, that planets have nothing to do with human lives is like saying our lives will not change whether Sun is there or not.

Are human beings bound by the course of planets?
They are bound only to the extent of their body and blood relations. One cannot change one’s father or mother. To say their whole lives are bound, would be incorrect. Human beings have the choice to be bound by the events or situations caused by the course of the planets. In other words, the events or situations that you may come across in life is bound to the course of the planet, but, whether you choose to react to it or not is totally a matter of your choice.

Are the Sun and Moon planets? Does the word “grah” means planets?
Sun is a luminary and Moon is considered the same, as it is a powerful reflector. The word “Grah” means “to seize”. They try to seize your mind and make it do things that they want done. Most of us succumb to them.

Sometimes, the extent of their seizure is so high that wouldn’t let a person go to an astrologer or counselor to seek help. In some cases, it is seen, that the person wouldn’t listen to the counsel and will be governed by the planet itself.

An introspective and an aware person can avert the planets seizure impact.

Why are planets beyond Saturn not represented in the Navagraha?
It is anybody’s guess. Whether these outer planets were not discovered or their effects have been incorporated through use of sub planets in Vedic Astrology, could be the possible reasons for them not represented in the Navagraha.

There seems to be proof that the ancient Vedic Astrologers were aware of these planets. Some authors claim that the sage Ved Vyasa was aware of the planets beyond Saturn and had given the positions of the planets at the time of Mahabharata. He had also given the position of some planets that are yet to be discovered. The positions that he had given at the time of Mahabharata, were found to be that of Uranus and Neptune, if we were to work their position backwards from now.

The level of research is low in this area and it is a potential area to be researched upon.

However, there is one more important aspect of this discussion. The grahas are not the same as planets. A graha is that which “pulls or seizes” under its control. It is possible that the outer planets were found not to exert the kind of seizure as the planets till Saturn did and therefore, they were rejected.

Another thinking suggests that the so called Uranus's nature is already incorporated, as the results of Rahu are very similar to it. Similarly, Ketu looks similar to Neptune's nature.

Only the grahas have a role in the Dasha system. Even an attempt to tamper with the dashas by including anything new will lead to a breakdown of the system of Vedic astrology.

Why some planets are considered Benefic and others Malefic?

This is an important question. Benefic and malefic is related to our standards of prosperity and poverty, happiness and sadness, etc. Whatever brings strife, challenges, problems people consider them malefic influences and whatever brings love, prosperity and desire fulfillment, we call them benefic. Such is the case with planets. It is important to understand that benefic and malefic influences come as per our acceptance or reactive-ness to a given situation, be it prosperity or poverty.

What are the differences between the Parashara and Jaimini system of Vedic astrology.

Parashara system has fixed karakas whereas Jaimini system uses a method of variable karakas. Karaka is the representative of a particular area of life or a relationship or of oneself. Under Parashari system, Sun will always indicate a father as a natural indicator (karaka). Under the Jaimini system, these karakas change as per the degrees the planets get. Jaimini has a system of argala and its dasha is based on signs instead of planets. Yet both systems are complimentary to each other and can be used to confirm predictions. Many believe that Jaimini system is only an elaboration of some of the principles given in Parashari method of analysis. We believe this to be true.

What is a Muhurata?

Muhurta is a measure of the quality of time for a particular kind of activity for a particular individual or a set of individuals. Muhurta is a science, by which, we check if the cosmic forces are in tune with the individual driving forces (as per the chart), thereby increasing chances of success of a particular endeavor. The endeavor could be starting of business, marriage, entering into a new home, starting a battle, etc.