Vedic Astrology

Introduction: We learnt that the zodiac of 360º is divided into 12 equal parts of 30º. We learnt these are called rasis (signs). Different rasis have different properties and they stand for different things. We will learn them in this small chapter. Characteristics of Rasis: Limbs of Vishnu: The whole zodiac is nothing but a manifestation of Lord Vishnu’s body. Aries is the head. Taurus is the face. Gemini is the arms. Cancer is the heart. Leo is the stomach. Virgo is the hip. Libra is the space below the navel. Scorpio is the private parts. Sagittarius is the thighs. Capricorn is the knees. Aquarius is the ankles. Pisces is the feet. Odd and Even: (1) Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius are called odd rasis or vishama rasis or oja rasis. They are also known as male rasis. (2) Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces are called even rasis or sama rasis or yugma rasis. They are also known as female rasis. This division is used in some dasas and in the determi...

Planets:  There are 7 grahas (planets) in Vedic astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. There are two more chaayaa grahas (shadow planets): Rahu and Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are mathematical points. They are also called the north and south nodes or the head and tail of dragon. They are based on the points at which the orbit of Moon around earth cuts the orbit of the earth around the Sun. Rasis represents situations that develop in one’s life and influences that enter one’s life. Planets in a chart represent human beings that play a role in one’s life. Just as the whole zodiac represents Lord Vishnu and rasis represents His limbs, planets represent Vishnu’s avatars (incarnations). Characteristics of Planets Vishnu’s Avataras: This world contains two essences – jeevaamsa (living essence) and paramaatmaamsa (absolute and supreme essence). Planets are the manifestations of different aspects of these essences. Vishnu’s incarnations happened with these essences taken f...

  Introduction There are 11 upagrahas (sub-planets or satellites) defined by Sage Parasara. They do not appear to correspond to any physical bodies (planets, stars etc). From Sage Parasara's definition, they appear to be some significant mathematical points. They will be defined in two groups. Sun-based Upagrahas:  Five upagrahas called Dhuma, Vyatipaata, Parivesha, Indrachaapa, and Upaketu are defined based on the Sun's longitude. The exact formulas are given in the Table below. All these upagrahas are very malefic in nature. They spoil any houses occupied by them in the rasi chart or divisional charts.                                                                 Sun-based Upagrahas Upagraha Longitude Formula Dhuma Sun's longitude + 133 ° 20' Vyatipaata 360º – Dhuma’s longitude Parivesha Vyatipata's longitude + ...