Ayurvedic Jyotisha 101

radhe@celestialgazing.com

www.celestialgazing.com

Course Objectives: 101

• Key philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Vedic astrology

• Layout and design of the Vedic birth chart

• The 9 planets, their archetypal personalities and key significations

• The 12 houses and their areas of life

• The nature and energetics of the 12 zodiac constellations

• Simple chart interpretation of the meaning of each planet in the

birth chart

• Planetary remedial measures

• Ayurveda Jyotisha 102

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Format

• Weekly pre-reading assignments, including

optional homework (Handout)

• Slides for upcoming class session

• Review/expansion of reading material during

class, along with Q&A

• 9:30am-11:30am: class

• 11:30am-12:00pm: break

• 12:30pm-2:30pm: class

• Recorded session

• Exam at end of program based on optional

homework assignments

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Week 1

• Introduction to Jyotisha & its core principles

• Pre-reading, Chapter 1

• Tripod of the Birth Chart

• Pre-reading, Chapter 2

• Main significations for Surya (Sun), Chandra

(Moon), Mangala (Mars)

• Pre-reading, Chapter 3, pg. 17-22

• Bhava classifications

• Pre-reading, Chapter 4

4

5

Om Gan Ganapataye Namaha (3x)

Brahmā Murari Tripurāndhakāri

Bhānu Shashī Bhūmi-suto Budhascha

Guru-sca Shukra Shani Rāhu Ketava

Kurvanthu Sarve Mama Suprabatham

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Chant to the Nine Planets (Navagrahas)

Jyotisha

• “Jyotisha” is the ‘science of planetary lights’

• We find references to the planets and stars as far

back as 5000-6000 BC in the RigVeda

• By the Brahmanic period (2000BC), priests are

required to have detailed knowledge of the planets

and stars for the performance of sacrificial yagnas

(ceremonies)

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How is Jyotisha applied?

1. Hora (natal chart, including compatibility,

country chart, company chart)

2. Prashna (query astrology)

3. Muhurta (auspicious times)

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Spiritual and Philosophical Concepts

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How does it work?

Planets represent different frequencies of divine

consciousness and energy.

“Vishnu has incarnated as the Navagrahas to bestow on the living

beings the results of their karmas or actions . . . Rama is the incarnation of the Sun; Krishna, the Moon; Narasimha, Mars;

Buddha, Mercury; Vamana, Jupiter; Parasurama, Shukra; Koorma,

Saturn; Varaha, Rahu and Meena, Ketu ... after completing their

mission on earth, each of Vishnu’s incarnations (i.e. Rama, Krishna,

etc.) merged back into their respective grahas … at the time of the

Great Destruction, the grahas, in turn, will merge into Lord Vishnu.”

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As above, so below . . .

• The moment a baby is born, a relationship is established

between the planets in the sky and the new born infant. In

effect, the infant is a miniature representation of the

universe at that precise moment in time.

• Importantly, the soul chooses the time of birth that will

support the fulfillment of certain past life karmas (actions)

to be worked out as well as new life experiences necessary

for its growth.

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Reincarnation & types of karma

• Reincarnation

• Karma (‘action’)

– sanchita (‘accumulated’)

– prārabdha (‘undertaken’)

– kriyamāna (‘being done’)

– āgama (‘approaching’)

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Karma versus free will

• Karma and free will

– dṛdha (fixed)

– adṛdha (not fixed)

– dṛdha-adṛdha (fixed/non-fixed)

• Concentrated effort

‒ directed consciousness and intent

• Concentrated resolve

‒ tapas: ability to tolerate the heat of the experience

‒ self-understanding: learn from the experience

‒ acceptance: “let thy will be done”

• Divine Grace

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Static vs Dynamic Chart Analysis

• Static view: potentials in this life

• Dynamic view: full, partial and little-to-no

triggering of potentials

‒ planetary periods

‒ planetary transits

‒ stage in life

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Tripod of the Birth Chart

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Tropical versus Sidereal Zodiac15

• Western astrology uses the Sun-Earth relationship

to establish the positions of the planets.

‒ Spring equinox, Sun @ 00 of Aries

• Vedic astrology uses the fixed stars-Earth

relationship to fix the positions of the planets

‒ 2017, Sun is actually in 80 of Pisces on March 21st due to

the earth’s precession.

‒ 220 difference = ayanamsha (‘portion of movement’)

• Every 25,000 years, the tropical and sidereal

zodiac coincide.

9 Planets (Grahas)

12 Constellations (Rashis)12 Houses (Bhavas)

The Tripod of the Birth Chart16

12 Constellations

(Rashis)

1. Aries (Mars)

2. Taurus (Venus)

3. Gemini (Mercury)

4. Cancer (Moon)

5. Leo (Sun)

6. Virgo (Mercury)

7. Libra (Venus)

8. Scorpio (Mars)

9. Sagittarius (Jupiter)

10. Capricorn (Saturn)

11. Aquarius (Saturn)

12. Pisces (Jupiter)

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• 1 bhava (Lagna)

• 2 bhava

• 3 bhava

• 4 bhava

• 5 bhava

• 6 bhava

• 7 bhava

• 8 bhava

• 9 bhava

• 10 bhava

• 11 bhava

• 12 Bhava

12 Houses

(Bhavas)

1. Sun (Surya)

2. Moon (Chandra)

3. Mars (Mangala)

4. Mercury (Budha)

5. Jupiter (Guru)

6. Venus (Shukra)

7. Saturn (Shani)

8. Rahu

9. Ketu

9 Planets

(Grahas)

Layout of the chart: 12 Rashis 18

Taurus (2)

Gemini (3) Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius

(11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6) Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius

(9)

Capricorn (10)

Layout of the chart: 12 Rashis19

Taurus (2)

Gemini (3)

Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius (11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6)

Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius

(9)

Capricorn (10)

Layout of the chart: 12 Bhavas20

1 bhava

(Lagna)

2 bhava 12 bhava

11 bhava

10 bhava4 bhava

5 bhava 9 bhava

8 bhava

7 bhava

6 bhava

Taurus (2)

Gemini (3)

Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius (11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6)

Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius (9)

Capricorn

(10)1 bhava

(Lagna)

2 bhava

3 bhava

12 bhava

11 bhava

10 bhava4 bhava

5 bhava 9 bhava

8 bhava

7 bhava

6 bhava

Taurus (2)

Gemini

(3) Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius (11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6) Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius (9)

Capricorn (10)

Layout of the chart: 12 Grahas21

As

Taurus (2)

Gemini (3)

Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius (11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6)

Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius (9)

Capricorn (10)

Sun

MoonMercury

Mars

Venus

Jupiter

Saturn

Ketu Rahu

As

Taurus (2)

Gemini (3)

Aries (1)

Cancer (4)

Pisces (12)

Libra (7)

Aquarius (11)

Leo (5)

Virgo (6) Scorpio (8)

Sagittarius (9)

Capricorn (10)

Sun

Moon

Mercury

Mars

Venus

Jupiter

Saturn

Ketu

Rahu

The Birth Chart: Graha & Rashi Abbreviations22

As

(2)

(3)

(1)

(4)

(12)

(7)

(11)

(5)

(6)

(8)

(9)

(10)

Su

MoMe

Ma

Ve

Ju

Sa

Ke Ra

Practice Chart23

Personal Grahas and Spaces

• Space of the 1B = Lagna (‘the

body’) and the rashi of the Lagna

= Rising Sign or Ascending Sign

(AS)

• Graha ruling the rashi of the

Lagna = Lagnesha (‘king of the

Lagna’) and represents the

person

• Sun (also represents the health

and constitutional strength of the

person as well as the Soul)

• Moon (the emotional body)

Practice Chart24

Personal Grahas and Spaces

• Space of the 1B = Lagna (‘the

body’) and rashi of the Lagna =

Rising Sign or Ascending Sign (AS)

• Graha ruling the rashi of the

Lagna = Lagnesha (‘king of the

Lagna’) and represents the

person

• Sun (also represents the health

and constitutional strength of the

person as well as the Soul)

• Moon (the emotional body)

Homework: Your Birth Chart

• Identify the rashi of the Lagna

• Identity the personal grahas and their rashi-bhava

placements:

• Lagnesha

• Surya

• Chandra

• Identify the remaining grahas and their rashi-

bhava placement

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Significations of the Grahas

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Graha Characteristics

Each graha is categorized according to its natural characteristics as a

shubha (auspicious, pleasant, gentle) or papa (inauspicious, crooked,

sharp) graha.

Shubha

Guru wisdom, higher knowing, hope, optimism

Shukra harmony, love, beauty, creativity

Budha intelligence, objectivity, fairness

Chandra nurturance, compassion, motherly-love

Papa

Mangala aggression, force, violence

Shani detachment, calculating, cold

Rahu illusions, confusion, obsessions

Ketu dissatisfaction, discontent, sense of lacking

Surya is a special case as a kruel (cruel) graha

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Graha Attributes

• Sacred names

• Qualities and energetics

• Gender

• Planetary cabinet

• Planetary caste

• Brahmins (priests)

• Kshatriyas (warriors)

• Vaishyas (commerce-trade)

• Shudras (workers)

• Key significations

• Health, including dosha and dhatu

• Relationship representations

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• Seven archetypal

personalities

• Corresponds closely to

the graha’s dosha

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Surya, the Sun

• Qualities: expansiveness, brightness,

dynamism, consistency, generosity,

enthusiasm, vitality

• Gender: male

• Planetary cabinet: king

• Caste: kshatriya (warrior)

• Significations: confidence, strength of

character, desire for independence & self-

sufficiency, leadership, intelligence

• Health:

• heart, circulatory system, overall vitality

• dosha: pitta

• dhatu: asthi dhatu (skeletal system),

function is dharana (support),

psychological attributes

• Relationships: father

30Tāpana (illuminating), Dinakara (day-maker), Pusha (increaser),

Atma bala (strength of the self), Dinamani (day jewel)

Surya-types: leader of the pack

• Medium but squarish build, good

muscle tone, medium size

• Skin soft and warm with oily hue

• Hair is soft and fine and there may be

early greying or balding

• Natural born leaders, endowed with

charisma and have an air of royalty

• Extroverted and value recognition

• Confident, independent and defines

themselves by their accomplishments

• Strong vitality, sunny outlook, values

“right” living

• Consistent and steadfast, self-reliant,

creative intelligence

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Chandra (‘shining one’), the Moon

• Qualities: changeable, moist, receptive,

transitory, variable, attached, impressionable

• Gender: female

• Planetary cabinet: queen

• Caste: vaishya

• Significations: emotional body, imagination,

nurturance, familiar love, connecting with

others, kindness, patience

• Health:

• Breasts, womb, bodily fluids

• Dosha: vata-kapha

• Dhatu: rasa dhatu (white blood cells,

plasma, lymph system), function is

prinana (nourishment), psychological

attributes

• Relationships: mother, mother-like figures

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Chandra-types: intuitive and in-tune

• Firm, round physique, full face, wide and

charming eyes

• Skin is thick, smooth, moist and cool to

the touch

• Hair is thick, soft and wavy

• Adaptable and intimately tuned in to

their environment

• Union with others is important,

particularly with family

• Lives in the realm of feelings and

emotions and are sensitively connect

with others

• Love to help others

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Mangala (‘auspicious’), Mars

• Qualities: intense, throbbing, agitating,

penetrating, aggressive, inflaming

• Gender: male

• Planetary cabinet: army-commander chief

• Caste: kshatriya (warrior)

• Significations: vital energy, will power,

strength and courage, assertive, impulsive

and competitive, piercing intellect,

independence, individualism

• Health:

• Head, arms, neck, adrenals, muscles

• Dosha: pitta

• Dhatu: rakta dhatu (red blood cells), function is jivana (life-giving), psychological attributes

• Relationships: siblings

34Vakra (cruel, hostile), Bhumi Suto (son of Earth), Asraja

(formed of blood), Angāraka (red in color)

Mangala-types: nothing ventured, not gained

• Average build, slender waistline, good

muscle tone

• Skin has rosy tint and eyes are piercing

• Self-assured, strong-willed, eager to

take on challenges

• Seek out adventure and take risks

• Resourceful and determined to

succeed

• Self-sufficient, assertive and

independent

• Thrive on competition

• Enterprising minds and innovators or

pioneers in thought

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Bhava Classifications

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Bhava Classifications

• Kendras

• Trikonas

• Upachayas

• Dusthanas

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Lagna

1st Kendra

EAST

SOUTH

WEST

NORTH4B

2nd Kendra

Nadir

7B

3rd Kendra

Descendant

10B

4th Kendra

Mid Heaven

Kendras 38

Lagna

Kendra

Trikona

5B

Trikona

Trikonas39

9B

Trikona

Upachayas

10B

Kendra

Upachaya

6B

Upachaya

3B

Upachaya

11B

Upachaya

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Dusthanas

12B

Dusthana

6B

Upachaya

Dusthana

8B

Dusthana

3B

Upachaya

Mild

Dusthana

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Positive and Negative Bhavas42

Neutral

DusthanaNegative

DusthanaNegative

UpachayaM-DusthanaNegative

TrikonaPositive

UpachayaDusthanaNegative

UpachayaPositive

KendraUpachayaPositive

KendraPositive

KendraPositive

KendraTrikonaPositive

TrikonaPositive

Week 2

• Main significations of Budha (Mercury), Guru

(Jupiter), Shukra (Venus) and Shani (Saturn)

• Chapter 2, pg. 25-32

• Key meanings of bhavas 1-12

• Chapter 5, pg. 37-50

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