Horoscope or janam patrika is an observation of the heavens at the exact time of a person’s birth, by which the events of life are predicted by the Astrologer. To cast a horoscope of a person, it is necessary to have accurate details such as the following:
- Gender
- Time of birth
- Place of birth
- Date of birth
Hindu vs Western Zodiacs
There is a difference of 220 between Western and Hindu Zodiacs. That is, according to the Hindu Horoscope if a planet is in 20 degrees Cancer it will be situated in the 12th or 13th degree of Leo according to western Astrology. That is way we should not mix up the two but should follow either of these two.
In Hindu Astrology, for ordinary purpose of prediction, Zodiacal Diagram (Raashi Chakra) along with Navamsa diagram is sufficient. The twelve houses of the horoscope comprehend all the significations of human life. A house is known as Bhava Sanskrit.
The twelve houses are not necessarily coincident with the twelve signs of Zodiac. They are in fact variable. Each sign is always 300 in extent. But the length of a house or Bhava depends upon the time of birth and the latitude of the place of birth.
What Can be Predicted from Janam Patrika?
By studying and judging a horoscope the following can be determined:
- Longevity
- Personal appearance
- Character and mind
- Health and disease
- Education and financial prospects
- Means of livelihood
- Family such as parents, brothers
- Enemies and debts
- Marriage and children
- Timing events
Hindu Calender
It is important to know about Hindu calendar for anyone willing to learn about vedic astrology so here is a brief explanation of some basic concepts of the Hindu Calendar.
Solar vs Lunar System
Hindu Calendar is compiled by adopting two systems: One based on the movement of Moon around the Earth and the other based on the movement of Earth around the Sun. The first day of the Hindu New Year is known as Yugaadi in Karnataka, Vaishaki in West Bengal, and Baishaki in Punjab and so on, and it is Chandramaana Yugaadi for the followers of Moon and Sowramaana Yugaadi for the followers of Sun.
Lunar calendar has twelve months known as Chaitra, Vaishaaka, Jaista, Aashaada, Shraavana, Bhaadrapada, Ashwayuja, Kaarthika, Maargashira, Pushya, Maagha and Phaalguna. Each month is divided into two parts having 14 to 16 day each they are:
(1) Shukla Paksha – from new Moon Day (Amavaasya) to full Moon Day (Poorinma)
(2) Krishna Paksha – from Full Moon Day (Poornima) to New Moon Day (Amavaasya).
The Chandramaana Yugaadi happens to be one day during March-April every year.
Solar calendar also has twelve months known as –Mesha, Vrushabha, Mithuna, Karkaataka, Simha, Tula, Vrishchika, Dhanu, Makara, Kumbha and Meena. And Sowramaana Yagadi usually is on the 14 April (one day + or -) every year.
Other details like Tithi, Vaara (day), Nakshatra (constellations, Karana (11 nos) and Yoga (27 in numbers) taken into consideration while compiling the calendar (panchaanga) is common for both. As is known, the week comprises of seven days named after the seven planets excluding Rahu and Ketu.
A year is divided into two parts, Uttaraayana and Dakshinaayana, which are known to have great scientific importance for everything. It is in this context that the north-East and South-East Directions attain importance along with East. For six months (from Jan 14th to July 15th) of the Year Sun will be moving on the Northern portion of the Earth and this is known as Uttaraayana and for the next six months (From July 16th to Jan 14th) Sun will be moving on the Southern part of the earth and this is known as Dakshinaayana. But according to English calendar Uttaraayana is from Dec 21st to June 20th and Dakshinaayana from June 21st to December 20th. Day time will be more in Uttaraayana and night time less, and it is the contrary in Dakshinaayana.
Six Seasons
There are six season (Rithus) according to Hindu calendar, each lasting for a period of 2 months and they are:
Rithus
(Seasons) Chandra Maasa English
(1) Vasantha Chaitra-Vaishaaka March-May
(2) Greeshma Jaista-Aashaada May-June
(3) Varsha Shraavana-Bhaadrapada July-September
(4) Sharath Ashwayuja-Kaarthika Sept-November
(5) Hemantha Maargashira-Pushya Nov-January
(6) Shishira Maagha-Phaalguna Jan-March
Four Seasons
According to English Calendar there are four seasons and they are:
(1) Spring to Engilsh – March 21st to June 21st.
(2) Summer – June 21st to September 22nd
(3) Autumn – September 22nd to December 21st.
(4) Winter – December 22nd to March 21st.
Tithi:
The visible distance between Sun Moon is divided in to 30 portions and they are called Tithi. When they are in same line it is New Moon Day and when they come opposite each other it is full Moon Day. Each tithi is 120 each and there are 15 numbers each in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha.
Shukla Paksha:
(From New Moon i.e. Amavaasya to Full Moon Day i.e. Poornima); Paadya, Bidige, Tadige, Chowthi, Panchami, Shasthi, Saptami, Asthami, Navami, Dashami, Ekaadashi, Dwaadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Poornima at 120 each.
Krishna Paksha:
(From Poornima to Amavaasya i.e. Full Moon Day to New Moon Day). Paadya, Bidige, Tagige, Chowthi, Panchami, Shasthi, Saptami, Asthami, Navami, Dashami, Ekaasdashi, Dwaadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, Amavaasya at120 each.
The Calender (Panchaanga) along with horoscope helps in arriving at an auspicious moment for any important occasion in the course of construction of building forms staring point till Grahapravesha. Persons without proper knowledge of the subject may not be able to find the right solution, in which case help of learned purohirs (priests) may be sought.
Yoga:
Effect of Sun, Moon and constellation in a particular position results in Yoga. They are twenty seven in number : Vishkambha, Preeti, Aayushmaan, Sowbhagya, Shobhana, Atiganda, Sukarma, Dhrutii, Shoola, Ganda, Vruddi, Dhruva, Vyaghaata, Harshana, Vajra, Siddi, Vyatipata, Variyaan, Parigha, Shiva, Sidda, Saadhya, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Indra, Vaidruthi.
Karana:
Effect of Vaara, Tithi and Constellation in a particular position. One tithi has two Karanas. Ie one month with thirty tithis will have sixty Karanas. There aare leven such Karanas and they are: Bava, Baalava, Kaulava, Titula, Garaja, Vanija, Bhadra, Shakuni, Chatuspaada, Naagavaan, Kinstughna.
Hindu years (Samvatsaras)
The sixty Hindu years are as given below:
- Prabhava
- Vibhava
- Shukla
- Pramooduuta
- Prajhootpathi
- Angirasa
- Shreemukha
- Bhaava
- Yuva
- Dhaatru
- Heevilambi
- Vilambi
- Vikaari
- Shaarvari
- Plava
- Shubhakrutu
- Shoobhakrutu
- Kroodhi
- Vishwaavasu
- Paraabhava
- Eashwara
- Bahudhaanya
- Pramaathi
- Vikrama
- Vishu
- Chitrabhaanu
- Shwabhaanu
- Taarana
- Paarthiva
- Vyaya
- Sarvajitu
- Sarvadhaari
- Viroodhi
- Vikruti
- Khara
- Nandana
- Vijaya
- Jaya
- Manmatha
- Durumukhi
- Plavanga
- Keelaka
- Saumya
- Sadhaarana
- Virodhikrut
- Pareedhaavi
- Pramaadeecha
- Aanada
- Raakshasa
- Nala
- Pingala
- Kaalayukti
- Sidhaarthi
- Rowdri
- Durmati
- Dudumbhi
- Rudhirodhgari
- Ratakshi
- Krodhana
- Akshaya