University of Hamburg

Astrology in India

by

 Mira Fels

"Astrology has ever been considered in India as a great Science. Astrological Literature of India is as massive, as grand, and as comprehensive as the Hindu Philosophy or the Hindu Theology. Astrology was the ruling factor in the life of a Hindu´s: - even now there is no Hindu who does not follow its dictates in his every day life."

(Paul, 1992: 5)

Table of Contents

1) Introduction
1.1 My Topic in the Context of the Seminar Page 03
1.2 Structure of the Homework Page 04

2) Western and Eastern Astrology
2.1 The two Zodiacs
2.1.1 The Tropical Zodiac Page 04
2.1.2 The Sidereal Zodiac Page 05
2.2 The difference Page 05
2.2.1 Ayanamsha Page 06

3) Determining the Hindu Chart
3.1 Theory Page 06
3.1.1 Sripatibhatta Page 06
3.1.2 Other methods Page 07
3.2 Practice Page 08

4) Interpretation of the Hindu Chart
4.1 The Planets and their Signs Page 08
4.1.1 The Planets Page 08
4.1.1.1 The Major Planets Page 09
4.1.1.2 The Lunar Nodes Page 09
4.1.1.3 Distant Planets Page 10
4.1.2 The Signs Page 10
4.2 The Houses Page 11
4.3 Lunar Constellations Page 11

5) Astrology in India Today
5.1 General Page 12
5.2 Examples Page 14
5.2.1 Babu Lal Page 14
5.2.2 Heerar Lal Page 14
5.2.3 Kanehya Lal Page 16
5.2.4 Guruji Page 17
5.2.5 Tipu Page 17
5.2.6 Anji Maharaj Page 18

6) Conclusion Page 18

7) Bibliography Page 19

1) Introduction

1.1 My Topic in the Context of the Seminar

Our Seminar aimed at giving us a primary understanding of religious beliefs and practices in Hindu India. Hans Küng´s defines religion as

" the in a tradition and a community practised ([...]) social-inidividually realised relation to something which is beyond or encompasses man and his world: to a - however to understand - very latest true reality ([...])." 

(Küng, 1984:19) .

Hinduism can thus be categorised as religion, the problem is, though, that it was not originally one religion. Rather, as Monika and Udo Tworuschka point out, it is a conglomeration of religious traditions, the way of life of the Indians (those who do not belong to a different religion). There are some common guidelines, though: The world is sustained by an order or harmony which is called dharma and all Hindus do - at least formally - agree on the religious importance of the Vedas. (Tworuschka, 1992: 257). Most Indian Astrologers today base their calculations at least ideologically on the Vedas or the Vedanga Jyotish, an addition to the original Vedas which deals with Astrology and Astronomy, although, according to Karrer and his sources, the information given in this scripture is too rare to explain the complexity of astrological calculations and interpretations used today. (Karrer, 1991: 145) Every planet is seen as a deity, is described as a god and worshipped. (Frawley, 1990: 23;26) Also the 27 lunar constellations are mythogically the 27 wives of the moon. (Euringer, 1989: 93) It would be a paper in itself to describe the mythological background of Hindu Astronomy and Astrology. In these days Astrology still plays a vital part in the Indian way of life. All important events in life - and even many minor ones - are accompanied by an astrologer´s advice. (Karrer, 1990:141) Astrology, according to the practicers, gives an insight into the individual`s karma and can thus help to find the right decisions. The astrologer acts in many ways also as a keeper of traditional values and is consulted for personal, family and business affairs alike. How important he is for each person is stated in two verses from the Brhat Samhita II, 8 and 9, written by an Astrologer named Varaha Mihira of the late Gupta-period, who is a recognized authority in the field, as translated by H.Kern:

"Even those who, free from egotism and without anything to care for, lead a hermit´s life in the wilderness, consult the man that knows the motion of the stars.
As the night without a light, as the sky without the sun, so is a king without an astrologer, like a blind man he erreth on the road."

(Türstig, 1980:134)

It might thus be revealing to look at Indian Astrology and see what part it plays in Indian society today.

1.2 Structure of the Homework

My homework aims at giving an elementary Introduction into Hindu Astrology and its place in India today. At first I will just briefly outline the differences between Western and Eastern Astrology, and will then proceed to explain the determination and interpretation of the Hindu Chart. Afterwards I will give examples of applied astrology in India.

2) Western and Eastern Astrology

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