Articles

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The following link will take you to a page with general introductory information regarding what Vedic astrology is, brief history and the philosophy of Vedic astrology.

The following articles are more advanced and of potential interest to all levels of students of Jyotish. Some of the articles are also in the form of PDF files and in various languages. To read them you will need a copy of the free Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have it click on the the following graphic (opens new window):

Formal Jyotish Articles

Ashtamangala Deva Prashna
This is a popular article and has been published several times. It first appeared in an anthology of Astrology called Lessons in Hindu Astrology (1997). It then appeared in Diamond Fire Journal (1997) and again appeared in the Indian Vedic Astrology monthly magazine Express Star Teller (May 1999). This is what one reader from Belgium had to say in relation to this article:

Dear Shyamasundara,

Namaste. I have picked up your name from Lessons in Hindu Astrology, as the only one that looks to me as belonging to a person clearly possessing that serious, spiritual frame of mind, which I think to be essential for a practice like that of Jyotish.

I have been dealing with Jyotish for a long time now, but only as a private kind of interest. I have always kept apart from common astrologers, since I find many of them lacking any truly spiritual background. This is why I am addressing to you, although you live so far away from Europe. Do you happen to know of any serious Jyotish student in Belgium? If you do, will you give me his address, telephone, e-mail?

For the time being I stop here, with many thanks for any help you can give me.

Roberto.

The Fallacy of the trans-Saturnian Planets
This article appeared in January, 1998 edition of The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore, India. It is aimed at the more advanced student and discusses some of the foundational topics of Vedic Astrology. After receiving this article Gayatri Devi, the daughter of Dr. B.V. Raman and former editor of the Astrological Magazine, (and current editor of Modern Astrology) wrote me and commented:

“Father [B.V. Raman] liked this article very much, it is exactly in keeping with his own opinions.”

How Long is the Year in Vimshottari Mahadasa
This appeared in October & November, 2000 edition of The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore, India. This article discusses the controversy as to how long a year should be in the calculation of Vimshottari and other Mahadasas.

Science and Astrology
These images poke a little fun at how scientists view astrology.

Varaha Mihira
I recently read a very mangled version of how Varaha Mihira got his title “Varaha” or hog/boar so I thought I would post a traditional version.

Judging Wealth with Caturtamsa
This article appeared in the September and October, 2007, editions of the Astrological Magazine. It explores the use of Chaturtamsa in conjunction with other Varga charts for determining prospects of wealth in a chart.

On the Authenticity of the (Modern) Brhat Parasara Hora Sastra
This article was published in the July and August, 2009, issues of The Astrological eMagazine. It discusses how the modern Brhat Parasara Hora Sastra became “the Gospel” of Vedic Astrology, why it is not authentic, that it contains many interpolations not found in the original, but that a core of original material did exist.

A Response to — The Argument for the Tropical Zodiac in Vedic Astrology
This article was originally published in two parts in May 2012 on different websites. Because I am often asked about this topic I decided to move the articles to my own site and merge them into one article for easier reference.

Did Bhaktisiddhanta use a Tropical Zodiac? ‒ Scrutinizing Silly Notions
This article is a response to more silly notions of those propagating tropical Vedic astrology.

The Transcendental Horoscope of Srila Prabhupada
This is the internet version of a monograph I wrote in regards to Srila Prabhupada’s 1996 centenial celebrations.

Well, It’s a Crazy Story which shows prasna in action and how it saved a woman from making a seriously bad decision.

From the Astrologer’s Diary: The Night Dacoits Stole Srimati Radharani.
This is a revised and expanded edition of an article that I originally wrote in 1995. It weaves together, through the lens of Vedic Astrology, the history of how the ISKCON Mayapura temple was first victimized by thieves who stole Srila Prabhupada’s childhood Deities. And, the subsequent more serious attack by a gang of dacoits who stole Srimati Radharani thinking she was made of gold resulting in many wounded and at least one death. And, how following a simple instruction from Srila Prabhupada could have prevented it all.

Informal Jyotish Articles

Many but not all of the following informal articles are derived from emails submitted to my private jyotish forum (1993-present). We hope that you find them interesting and informative but unlike the formal articles they may or may not have citations or source references. As with all other texts they are copyrighted by the author.

Testing Astrologers and the Sacred Chickens of Rome

Brahmananda Prabhu - “The mountain of our mission.” (Death Chart analysis)

Kurmarupa Prabhu - Blessed by the Cows of Vraja - an Astrological analysis. (Death Chart analysis)

Life of Govinda Bhattathiri, Jyotisha Acarya

Al-Biruni and Mahmud of Ghazni