Understanding the Basics of Jyotish Shastra – Part 1

What is Jyotish Shastra?

Jyotish Shastra is an ancient Indian astrological system that relies heavily on the planetary positions of the nine planets or Grahas. It uses signs of the zodiac to make predictions and interpret events in a person’s life.

Jyotish Shastra helps study the connection between people and their destinies based on their birth time and place. It also helps identify patterns in our behavior that can create positive outcomes or negative results depending on how it is channeled. The practice of Jyotish Shastra includes understanding basic principles such as reading horoscopes for individuals or entire families as well as remedial measures when needed to help bring peace and balance into someone’s life.

Fundamentals of Jyotish Shastra

Jyotish Shastra uses various techniques such as Nakshatras, Rashi, yogas, kundalini, and many more to interpret the movements of planets and stars. It also takes into account other factors like birth charts, planetary positions, and aspects to predict future events in one’s life. Additionally, it can be used to advise people on how to live their lives according to their birth data so they can experience happiness and success. This ancient practice is still widely used today as an effective means of predicting the future and guiding individuals through difficult times.

The Nine Planets (Navgrahas)

The nine planets, or Navgrahas in Indian astrology, have deep implications on the lives of individuals. Each planet has a distinct set of qualities and characteristics which governs specific aspects of life such as health, wealth, career, and relationships. Knowing the effect of each planet on an individual’s life can enable them to make better decisions that can positively influence their destiny. 

To understand the basics of Vedic Astrology, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of the nine planets.

• Surya (the Sun) – The Sun is the source of life, light and energy. It symbolizes our soul, ego, willpower, authority, fame and vitality.
• Chandra (the Moon) – The Moon is the ruler of emotions, mind, intuition, imagination and motherhood. It symbolizes our feelings, moods, habits, memories and instincts.
• Mangal (Mars) – Mars is the planet of action, courage, aggression and passion. It symbolizes our strength, ambition, drive, competition and desire.
• Budha (Mercury) – Mercury is the planet of communication, intelligence, logic and learning. It symbolizes our speech, thoughts, reasoning skills, knowledge and curiosity.
• Guru or Brihaspati (Jupiter) – Jupiter is the planet of wisdom, expansion, optimism and generosity. It symbolizes our faith, philosophy, morality, wealth and luck.
• Shukra (Venus) – Venus is the planet of love, beauty, harmony and pleasure. It symbolizes our relationships, attraction, art, creativity and enjoyment.
• Shani (Saturn) – Saturn is the planet of discipline, responsibility, hardship and karma. It symbolizes our limitations, duties, lessons, challenges and maturity.
• Rahu (North Node) – Rahu is the north node of the Moon that causes eclipses. It symbolizes our desires, illusions, rebellion and unpredictability.
• Ketu (South Node) – Ketu is the south node of the Moon that causes eclipses. It symbolizes our detachment, spirituality, past lives and liberation.

The 12 Houses

The 12 Houses of the zodiac, or Rashis, are the fundamental building blocks of Jyotish Shastra. They represent the different areas of life, from work and career to relationships and health. Each house is associated with a specific planet and aspects. The position of these planets in relation to each other can give insight into how individuals interact with their environment on a spiritual level.

• The first house is known as the Lagna or ascendant, which represents one’s physical appearance and personality traits.
• The second house relates to material wealth.
• The third deals with courage and communication skills.
• The fourth focuses on home and family issues.
• The fifth looks at your creative pursuits such as artistry or music.
• The sixth house reflects health-related matters such as diet or exercise habits.
• The seventh looks at partnerships like marriage or business relationships.
• The eighth house emphasizes transformation through death and rebirth while also looking at secrets or hidden agendas that may be affecting a person’s life path.
• Moving onto higher levels of consciousness comes through studying the ninth house which involves philosophy, religion, law, metaphysics and foreign travels.
• The 10th house shows a person s career and social standing in society.
• The 11th house shows friendships and groups of people that a person may be involved with.
• The 12th house is about endings, but also starts all over again when it comes to the new cycle beginning.

Get detailed information about the houses here.

Rashis

Rashis are one of the nine basic elements of Jyotish Shastra. They show the constellation in which the Sun is located at the time of our birth. They represent our personality traits, temperament, strengths and weaknesses. Each Rashi has a ruling planet, a symbol, an element and a quality that influence its characteristics.

• Mesha (Aries) is ruled by Mars, symbolized by a ram, has fire as its element and is cardinal in quality. It makes people energetic, courageous, adventurous and independent.
• Vrishabha (Taurus) is ruled by Venus, symbolized by a bull, has earth as its element and is fixed in quality. It makes people practical, loyal, sensual and stubborn.
• Mithun (Gemini) is ruled by Mercury, symbolized by twins, has air as its element and is mutable in quality. It makes people versatile, communicative, curious and restless.
• Kark (Cancer) is ruled by Moon, symbolized by a crab, has water as its element and is cardinal in quality. It makes people emotional, nurturing, protective and moody.
• Simha (Leo) is ruled by Sun, symbolized by a lion, has fire as its element and is fixed in quality. It makes people confident, generous, creative and arrogant.
• Kanya (Virgo) is ruled by Mercury, symbolized by a virgin, has earth as its element and is mutable in quality. It makes people analytical, meticulous, helpful and critical.
• Tula (Libra) is ruled by Venus, symbolized by scales of balance, has air as its element and is cardinal in quality. It makes people diplomatic, charming, sociable and indecisive.
• Vrishchika (Scorpio) is ruled by Mars and Pluto, symbolized by a scorpion, has water as its element and is fixed in quality. It makes people passionate, secretive, powerful and jealous.
• Dhanu (Sagittarius) is ruled by Jupiter, symbolized by an archer, has fire as its element and is mutable in quality. It makes people optimistic, adventurous, philosophical and careless.
• Makara (Capricorn) is ruled by Saturn, symbolized by a goat or crocodile, has earth as its element and is cardinal in quality. It makes people ambitious, practical, responsible and pessimistic.
• Kumbha (Aquarius) is ruled by Saturn and Uranus, symbolized by a water bearer or pot (contd.) has air as its element and is fixed in quality. It makes people innovative, humanitarian, original and rebellious.
• Meena (Pisces) is ruled by Jupiter and Neptune, symbolized by two fish, has water as its element and is mutable in quality. It makes people compassionate, intuitive, spiritual and escapist.