Karmic Astrology—a Study
by Sunita Anant Chavan | 2017 | 68,707 words
This page relates ‘Prime Purposes of Cultivation of Jyotihshastra’ of the study on Karmic Astrology and its presentation in Vedic and the later Sanskrit literature. Astrology (in Sanskrit: Jyotish-shastra) is based upon perceptive natural phenomenon of cosmic light forms while the Concept of Karman basically means “action according to Vedic injunction” such as the performance of meritorious sacrificial work.
Part 2.4 - Prime Purposes of Cultivation of Jyotiḥśāstra
I Curiosity about future
Vedic civilization as most other ancient cultures used Śakuna as a means to know about human and cosmic future as also the later development of Jātaka branch to view the future of an individual. The curiosity about future can be said to be the primary motive of the overall development of Jyotiḥśāstra of past and present.
II Performance of Sacrifices
The chief purpose of cultivation of Jyotiḥśāstra at least in the Vedic times is calculation of proper times for sacrifices which were arranged on the orderly succession of times and were a means to attain long life, heaven and such desired and prescribed forms of future.
III Muhūrtas
The requirement of Muhūrtas or auspicious times for the performance of actions was a basic necessity in the culture and perhaps being the prime purpose of the culture, the sole reason that Jyotiḥśāstra retained its identify in the various developmental phases of the culture. The initial purpose of Muhūrtas for fixing the proper times for sacrifices by recording the positions of the Sun and the Moon with reference to Ayanas and Nakṣatras later shifted to fix the time fit for the performance of Saṃskāra. Muhūrta were also sought for the performance of rectificatory rites. Also Muhūrtas for the performance of daily activities were framed by texts like Ātharvaṇa Jyotiṣa (2.1-11, 3.1-6.).
IV Astronomy as an independent development
The study of Astronomy proper, initially which was secondary to the sacrifices is a later development in the Siddhānta period. It developed to study the positions of Planets and their motions independently revealing the later development of Gaṇita branch as chiefly for pure astronomical matters.
V Horoscopy
The casting of Horoscopes and their reading thereby to infer future became a common practice after the advent of the Greeks and is prevalent till date. Also the angle of Daiva attached to it called for rectifications related to the afflicted Nakṣatras of birth and such matters retained the easy survival of Muhūrtas
VI Pañcāṅgas for Dharmaśāstra purpose
Pañcāṅgas and such ready reckoners prepared from Miśrakas and other sources can also be attribuited the sustenance of Jyotiḥśāstra which chiefly serve the purpose of Dharmaśāstra.