Western vs Vedic Astrology – Predictive Methodology
By Dr Prajarao
The astrological calculations for planetary longitudes differ in Western and Vedic astrology. Western system uses so called moving zodiac or coordinate system called Sayana while Vedic system uses fixed or Nirayana system. But for astrological predictions using the basic planetary coordinates there is a gulf of difference between Western and Vedic system. In Western system the intricacies are not there and interpretation of planetary interactions are limited, while in Vedic system the tools and the depth of application is limited only by the depth of ones knowledge and interest with many cross checking and confirmation tests.
In Western system all the planets including those discovered in 19th Century – viz Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are generally used. In a mixed system some Indian astrologers use Sayana and these extra Saturn planets with the names of Indra Varuna and Yama. Vedic system uses mainly the two luminaries and five other planets but include two “CHAYA” shadow planets viz Rahu and Ketu. Their importance can be judged from Physics definition of UMBRA and PENUMBRA points when two luminaries interact. The importance of these becomes evident by the fact that an eclipse occurs whenever luminaries and these fall in a straight line.
In interpretation Western system uses only angular distances between planets – treating 120 and 60 as good and 90 and 45 as bad. The others like 180, 72, 30, 0 etc are also considered. The timing also is very static – only progressions are taken as 1 degree = I year of life, 1 day = I year of life etc. i.e., whenever say a planet is in 14 degrees of a house and another at say 24 of same house – at the age of 10 both are conjunct. Thus by these progressions the timing is calculated and the type of angular distance determines the event. The houses are of equal duration, which does not take the latitude effect of place. The Gochara or effect of current planetary positions is accounted by the angles they form with birth planets. Thus over all the methods of interpretations of western system is simple arithmetic and static.
In contrast Vedic system introduces a unique frame of reference called Lagna or ascendant, which is the Eastern horizon point at the time of birth. Thus all the spatial coordinates of place of birth are taken in each birth. Lagna forms the starting point and from there different bhavas are defined to account for different aspects of our life. The planetary relations are also classified as benefic/ evil, naturally friendly/ foe and dynamically friendly/ foe etc. The houses or bhavas are also classified as good and bad. Synthesis and analysis are basic tools in any scientific study. In Vedic astrology also such tools are extensively used. The bhavas are not of equal duration but astronomical effects are accounted by Sripathi method of Bhava Sphutam. The strength of planets is also calculated by many methods including graha balas, which take into account their absolute positions relative positions etc. Thus planets have complex properties like naturally good / bad, positionally good / bad and different strengths to do that good or bad. The rules are also dynamic in that for many rules have exceptions where the rule has to be over ruled. When ever a gross examination does not answer a complex question in a scientific field one goes to microscopic examination. Having AMSA charts where the house is divided into microscopic units - uses same principle. In this one go in depth to a particular activity like profession marriage etc. Thus one can devise charts where a house is divided to 1/3,1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7,1/8 1/9,1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/16, 1/20, 1/27, 1/30 an 1/60 – each representing a different aspect of life. The timing is also followed by what is called Dasa system – in fact many dasa systems like Vimsottari, Ashtottari etc exist and one has to apply correct dasa system.
The Gochara is also very finely tuned by different methods like present-day movements of planets vis a vis birth position of moon. In fact a more complex system exists called Ashtakavarga which is a 12 by 8 matrix – i.e., the position of 7 planets and lagna in 12 houses at birth interacting with present day planetary positions of 12 by 8 matrix. The mathematical tools used in the evaluation of these is mind boggling – if we note that the evaluation rules of Matrix are hardly 3 centuries old – the evaluation rules of Ashtakavarga – like if there is a zero in a row (Column) cancel that, Subtract smallest number from highest number etc proves the depth of Vedic mathematics used – which are at least thousands of years old. The Gochara is not limited to these and has other methods like Nilakhanthas solar return horoscope or Tajaka system to give accurate yearly results.
While all these go under the head of Parasara system we have the complex Jaimini system with its complex rules. Thus Vedic astrology is a ocean of nectar and any one of us can enjoy only a drop of the same as per our luck and karma. It is a holistic approach to satisfy achieving of all purshardhas - of Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha.
Finally if one is predicting based on divine intuition it is immaterial if one is following East or Western method or if one is born white, black, yellow or brown. Astrology is a divine science and only needs divine blessing and all calculations and interpretations are only road signs to follow the path – a means but not the ends.
http://sify.com/astrology/fullstory.php?id=14902010
By Dr Prajarao
The astrological calculations for planetary longitudes differ in Western and Vedic astrology. Western system uses so called moving zodiac or coordinate system called Sayana while Vedic system uses fixed or Nirayana system. But for astrological predictions using the basic planetary coordinates there is a gulf of difference between Western and Vedic system. In Western system the intricacies are not there and interpretation of planetary interactions are limited, while in Vedic system the tools and the depth of application is limited only by the depth of ones knowledge and interest with many cross checking and confirmation tests.
In Western system all the planets including those discovered in 19th Century – viz Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are generally used. In a mixed system some Indian astrologers use Sayana and these extra Saturn planets with the names of Indra Varuna and Yama. Vedic system uses mainly the two luminaries and five other planets but include two “CHAYA” shadow planets viz Rahu and Ketu. Their importance can be judged from Physics definition of UMBRA and PENUMBRA points when two luminaries interact. The importance of these becomes evident by the fact that an eclipse occurs whenever luminaries and these fall in a straight line.
In interpretation Western system uses only angular distances between planets – treating 120 and 60 as good and 90 and 45 as bad. The others like 180, 72, 30, 0 etc are also considered. The timing also is very static – only progressions are taken as 1 degree = I year of life, 1 day = I year of life etc. i.e., whenever say a planet is in 14 degrees of a house and another at say 24 of same house – at the age of 10 both are conjunct. Thus by these progressions the timing is calculated and the type of angular distance determines the event. The houses are of equal duration, which does not take the latitude effect of place. The Gochara or effect of current planetary positions is accounted by the angles they form with birth planets. Thus over all the methods of interpretations of western system is simple arithmetic and static.
In contrast Vedic system introduces a unique frame of reference called Lagna or ascendant, which is the Eastern horizon point at the time of birth. Thus all the spatial coordinates of place of birth are taken in each birth. Lagna forms the starting point and from there different bhavas are defined to account for different aspects of our life. The planetary relations are also classified as benefic/ evil, naturally friendly/ foe and dynamically friendly/ foe etc. The houses or bhavas are also classified as good and bad. Synthesis and analysis are basic tools in any scientific study. In Vedic astrology also such tools are extensively used. The bhavas are not of equal duration but astronomical effects are accounted by Sripathi method of Bhava Sphutam. The strength of planets is also calculated by many methods including graha balas, which take into account their absolute positions relative positions etc. Thus planets have complex properties like naturally good / bad, positionally good / bad and different strengths to do that good or bad. The rules are also dynamic in that for many rules have exceptions where the rule has to be over ruled. When ever a gross examination does not answer a complex question in a scientific field one goes to microscopic examination. Having AMSA charts where the house is divided into microscopic units - uses same principle. In this one go in depth to a particular activity like profession marriage etc. Thus one can devise charts where a house is divided to 1/3,1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7,1/8 1/9,1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/16, 1/20, 1/27, 1/30 an 1/60 – each representing a different aspect of life. The timing is also followed by what is called Dasa system – in fact many dasa systems like Vimsottari, Ashtottari etc exist and one has to apply correct dasa system.
The Gochara is also very finely tuned by different methods like present-day movements of planets vis a vis birth position of moon. In fact a more complex system exists called Ashtakavarga which is a 12 by 8 matrix – i.e., the position of 7 planets and lagna in 12 houses at birth interacting with present day planetary positions of 12 by 8 matrix. The mathematical tools used in the evaluation of these is mind boggling – if we note that the evaluation rules of Matrix are hardly 3 centuries old – the evaluation rules of Ashtakavarga – like if there is a zero in a row (Column) cancel that, Subtract smallest number from highest number etc proves the depth of Vedic mathematics used – which are at least thousands of years old. The Gochara is not limited to these and has other methods like Nilakhanthas solar return horoscope or Tajaka system to give accurate yearly results.
While all these go under the head of Parasara system we have the complex Jaimini system with its complex rules. Thus Vedic astrology is a ocean of nectar and any one of us can enjoy only a drop of the same as per our luck and karma. It is a holistic approach to satisfy achieving of all purshardhas - of Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha.
Finally if one is predicting based on divine intuition it is immaterial if one is following East or Western method or if one is born white, black, yellow or brown. Astrology is a divine science and only needs divine blessing and all calculations and interpretations are only road signs to follow the path – a means but not the ends.
http://sify.com/astrology/fullstory.php?id=14902010
