Hinduism and Astrology

Astrology is integral to the Hindu world-view. The core of Hindu teachings is the Veda and Astrology or Jyotisha is a limb of the Vedas (Vedanga).

Astrology is the study of Light and its influence on all life forms. Astrology is linked to the Law of Karma and reincarnation which are the 2 core doctrines of Hinduism.

We are born at a specific time, to specific parents, with specific siblings and in specific circumstances – none of which are simply “chance” or “luck”.  Each and every factor of our birth is a result of actions we have performed in the past. No child is born as a blank slate but rather with talents, abilities, aptitudes, inclinations, knowledge, health etc. all of which are effects of past causes.

All the children born in the same family under the same circumstances with the same up-bringing all differ markedly from each other. In the same family one child can be a saint and a sibling a criminal, one can be a president and the other a derelict. All had the same nurturing and education so why the difference in outcomes? Where do child-prodigies get their talents from? How is it that a child can compose symphonies at the age of 8?

Hindu philosophy underpins the study and practice of astrology so in order to fully appreciate it’s use one must have some knowledge of the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma. The birth chart is an analysis of the Karmic potential that we have brought over from our previous life. It is the balance-sheet of what we have achieved in our past life – with both the positive and negative outcomes. We ourselves  have created the circumstances of our birth. God’s function is simply to administer the Law of Karma. God does not punish or reward, nor favour or reject any one, it we ourselves who achieve our own goals through our desires.

“A person consists of desires. As is one’s desire so is one’s will; as is the will so is the deed that is done, and one’s deeds conditions what one will become”. (Br. Up. 4:5)

Each software program comes with a manual. We can indeed learn to use the software quite competently and efficiently by trial and error without ever referring to the manual, but when we encounter a particular problem that seems insurmountable we then refer to the manual. In the same way we are each born with a manual called a “Horoscope” (jatakam or janma-patri). Most people manage to run their own lives quite effectively without referring to their personal manuals, but when we reach those crises and seemingly insurmountable problems then it may be helpful to consult the manual! In order to be useful the horoscope must be drawn up with date, time and place of the individual’s birth.

Hindu astrology differs somewhat from Western astrology in a number of ways.

1. The westerners using a moving Zodiac whereas the Hindus used a fixed Zodiac – this means there is about a 22 degree difference between them. So your Sun Sign in Hindu astrology is 22 degrees behind that of your Sun Sign in western astrology.
2. Hindu astrology is Moon-based and not Sun-based which means we take more notice of what the moon is doing than what the Sun is doing.
3. Hindu astrology is “event-based” so we are more concerned with actual events and how they happen rather than what they mean to the individual concerned.

The Purpose of Astrology

The Astrological consultation is a pyscho-social-spiritual diagnosis. It is a useful tool for self-awareness and self analysis. Through the study of the birth chart we gain insight into our strong characteristics and our weak ones. We can see areas of our lives which need more effort and work, and we can gauge our potentialities so that we can maximise our use of our inborn talents and time on this planet. We can see in which general direction we are headed and the pitfalls that we are likely to encounter, we can also understand the way to avoid suffering and unnecessary anguish. So you can either use your reading as a source of general interest and amusement or as a tool for self-improvement and work on spiritual development.

It is important to understand that every person’s life consists of positive aspects and negative aspects – no one’s life is perfect! The birth chart is like a weather report – it is a description of all the most likely scenarios, it is not an immutable statement of fact. When one receives a prognostication of rain one takes an umbrella. So it is with astrology. Any negative prognostication means one should take the necessary common sense precautions — they may eventuate or they may not – but no one came to grief by observing caution!

Planetary Influences

The Horoscope is drawn up for the moment of birth and gives an overall picture of one’s entire life, so the influences of the various planets come into play at different times. Sometimes there may be conflicting descriptions but these have to be understood within the context of the planetary influences. The effects of the Planets are based upon our personal karma — the effects of our deeds in our previous lives. Some of the results cannot be changed or avoided — this is known as fixed karma, and some karma manifests as potentialities which may or may not be realised; depending upon our will-power and initiative. We cannot change the general framework of our lives which is indicated by Astrology,  but we can change the way we deal with these factors and influences — by cultivating the positive characteristics and working on the negative ones.

Planetary Remedies

Hindu astrology has developed a very systematic and sophisticated method of psychic diagnosis. In accordance with the medical model there are symptoms (planetary placements), a diagnosis and report  (horoscope) and a program of remedial activities (upaya). Sometimes gems are prescribed sometimes mantras, fasting, offerings, visiting sacred shrines, acts of charity, social service etc. 

Although the Astrological texts prescribe all these remedies, the Srivaishnava philosophical position is that they should be avoided. The reason being that our suffering is payback for past misdeeds.  When we agree to use electricity and relish and enjoy all the benefits that it brings we also acknowledge that there will be a bill to pay every month. It would be immoral and devious in the extreme if we were to agree to this contractual arrangement and then try to evade payment at the end of the month! It we consume heartily we should also be morally prepared to pay the cost afterwards. So we have enjoyed in the past and the present suffering is a direct result of those actions – we should therefore as moral beings accept the outcome wholeheartedly and bear the suffering patiently. So Srivaishnavas are discouraged from making any attempt to evade their karmic consequences.

Yet having said this most people still desire to be alleviated from their suffering and to achieve their goals in spite of knowing about the dynamic of Karma. So as atonement and in order to obtain some relief from their karmic debts some people will have various yajnas performed such as Navagraha Shanti Homa or Sudarshana Homa.