Recommended Reading List

The following list though not complete should serve as a starter. It should always be remembered that no book can replace a competent teacher.

Beginners books

Classical texts:

Jataka (Natal)
Prasna (Horary)
Samhita (Mundane)
Muhurta (Electional)
Gola (Astronomy and Cosmology)

Modern authors:

Jataka (intermediate to advanced)
Prasna
Astronomy and Cosmology

Calculation

Vedic Philosophy and World View

Other Divinatory systems

Supplementary Reading

“Whenever I get some money I buy books. If there is anything left over I buy food and clothes.” Erasmus

Beginners texts

Constellational Astrology According to the Hindu System by Robert De Luce
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Elements of Vedic Astrology (2 Volume Set) by Dr. K.S. Charak
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Fundamentals of Astrology by M. Ramakrishna Bhat
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Hora Shatak. Basic Concepts of Predictive Astrology by J.N. Bhasin
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Predictive Astrology of the Hindus by Gopesh Kumar Ojha (Highly recomended, Ojha was the father of the one astrologer who in his last years Srila Prabhupada said was accurate. I have worn out two copies of this book.)
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Classical texts: Jataka (Natal)

Bhava kutuhalam translation by G.C. Sharma
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Bhavartha Ratnakara by B.V. Raman
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Bhrigu sutram
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Body Reading (Samudrika sastra) by Gopesh Kumar Ojha a compilation from Puranas.
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Brhat Parasara Hora Sastra, (BPHS) before ordering this book read this article. There are three editions of this book in English but only two are in print.

BPHS translated by R. Santanam
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BPHS translated by G.C. Sharma
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Brhat Jataka - To understand the significance of this book read this article. I have at least seven different editions of Brhat Jataka but the best ones are by B. Suryanarayana Rao, Swami Vijnananda and V. Subramanya Sastri, unfortunately the later has been out of print for more than 40 years.

Brihat Jataka translation and commentary by B. Suryanarayana Rao
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Brihat Jataka translation and commentary by Swami Vijnananda
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Chamatkar Chintamani of Bhatt Narayana
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Deva Keralam aka Candrakala Nadi translated by R. Santanam
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Hora Ratnam
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Horasara of Prithuyasas translated by R. Santanam
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Jataka Alankara
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Jataka Bharanam translation by G.C. Sharma
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Jatakadesamarga
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Jataka Parijata
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Jataka Sara Dheepa
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Jamini Sutramritam by Iranganti Rangacharya
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Laghu Jatakam
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Laghu Parashari Sidhant
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Laghu Parasari (Jataka Chandrika)
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Phala deepika, there are several different editions of this great book.
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Phaldeepika (Bhavartha Bodhini) by Ojha and Ojha (two books in one volume)
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Sambhu Hora Prakasa translated by R. Santanam
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Sanketanidhi
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Sapta-Rishi Nadi translation and commentary by J.N. Bhasin
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Saravali of Kalyana Varma translated by R. Santanam
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Sarvarth Chintamani of Vyankatesh Sharma translation and commentary by J.N. Bhasin
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Satya Jatakam by Satyacarya, highly respected by Varaha Mihira and one of his sources.
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Uttarakalamrita
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Classical texts: Prasna (Horary)

Daivajna-Vallabha
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Prasna Marga
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Shiva Svarodaya
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Classical texts: Samhita (Mundane astrology)

Varahamihira's Brhat Samhita
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Classical texts: Muhurta (Electional)

Kalaprakasika best book on the subject, used by B.V. Raman as his main source for his book on Muhurta.
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Muhurta Chintamani
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Classical texts: Gola (Astronomy and Cosmology)

Commentaries on 5th Canto Bhagavatam Cosmology
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Bhu-Gola Tattva - Science of the Round Earth
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Panchasiddhantika ; The Astronomical Works of Varaha Mihira
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The Surya-siddhanta and Siddhanta-siromani two classical books of Vedic siddhantik astronomy in one volume.
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Modern authors: Jataka

Arudha System of Prediction by C.S. Patel
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Ashtakavarga by Chandulal S. Patel & C.A. Subramania Aiyar
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Ashatakavarga System of Prediction by B.V. Raman
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Astrological Applications of Kota Chakra and Sanghatta Chakra
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J.N. Bhasin learned scholar, author of many books and articles active until early 1990s.

Art of Prediction by J.N. Bhain
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Astrology in Vedas by J.N. Bhasin
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Astro Sutras by J.N. Bhasin
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Dispositors in Astrology by J.N. Bhasin
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Events & Nativities Explained by J.N. Bhasin
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Doctrines of Suka nadi, retold by R Santhanam
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Essentials of Medical Astrology by Dr. K.S. Charak
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(Companion volume)
Subtleties of Medical Astrology by Dr. K.S. Charak
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Essentials of Predictive Hindu Astrology R. Santanam
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Gochar Phaladeepika: Torch on Transit of Planets
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How to Judge a Horoscope (2 vols) by B.V. Raman and Gayatri Devi Vasudeva (Very important text a must read.)
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A Manual of Jaimini Astrology by Iranganti Rangacharya
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Jaimini System various titles.
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Muhurtha (Electional Astrology) by B.V. Raman
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Mystics of Sarvato Bhadra Chakra and Astrological Predictions
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Nadi Astrology by CS Patel
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Panchadhyayee - A Compendium of Predictive Astrology by Dr. Suresh Chandra Mishra
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Predicting Through Navamsa and Nadi Astrology by CS Patel
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Splendour of Vargas (Most Influential Divisional Charts)
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Stri Jataka by B. Suryanarayana Rao
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The Astrology of Death by Richard Houck
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Three Hundred Important Combinations by B.V. Raman
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What the Stars Foretell: A Scientific Study of Prediction Based on Transit Results of Gochara Phala of the Planets by Jupiter
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Modern authors: Prasna

Essentials of Horary Astrology or Prasnapadavi by M. Ramakrishna Bhat
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Nasta Jatakam Lost Horoscopy
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Prashna Shastra: scientific Applications of hroary Astrology (2 volumes)
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Modern authors: Astronomy and Cosmology

Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy by Richard L. Thompson
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Calculation

A real astrologer must know how to calculate a horoscope by hand and not be dependent on a computer to do it all for them. You will also be able to tell if the computer is giving you the correct output. Knowing how to do it by hand also gives you insight as to what techniques and methods are the most valuable. Also if you know how to do it by hand then your practice will not shut down if your computer dies (I say this from experience). Also while doing a chart by hand you meditate on the chart as you are calculating it giving you a lot more insight into the workings of the chart. Before I wrote the first jytotish software back in 1979 it would take me 2-3 days to do all the calculations (shad balas, shodasha vargas, ashtakavargas, and mahadasha etc.) now it only takes a few seconds. And while there is a lot to be said about having the instant gratification of having the charts instantly calculated the tradeoff is that you don’t have that same deep feeling for the chart. That plus the fact that any one who can input the data thinks that they are now an astrologer. So do take the time to perfect your craft and learn how to calculate a chart by hand. Imagine a practitioner of the Tarot who didn’t know how to shuffle cards, that is an astrologer who doesn’t know how to calculate a chart. I would never accept as a student a person who could not calculate a chart by hand.

(The) American Ephemeris 1950-2050 at Noon by Neil F. Michelsen
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(The) American (Time Change) Atlas by Thomas G. Shanks
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Graha and Bhava Balas by B.V. Raman
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(The) International Atlas: World Latitudes, Longitudes & Time Changes by Thomas G. Shanks
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(The) Michelsen Book of Tables by Neil F. Michelsen
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Shadbala Rahasyam by Krishna Kumar
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Vedic Philosophy and World View:

Vedic Astrology doesn't exist in a vacuum it is a science that is practiced by those who follow Lord Krsna's Vedic culture. In fact Vedic astrology is a symbolic representation of Vedanta. And, to fully comprehend Vedic astrology, its purpose and deeper meaning one has to be familiar with the philosophy and world view of Krsna’s Vedic civilization. Otherwise you will never understand the basis of many otherwise apparently arbitrary associations. Why, for example, is afflicted Jupiter associated with ear problems or afflicted Mercury with nose problems? If you are familiar with the philosophy these and other astrological associations will become obvious and logical and not something to be painfully memorized and learned by rote. Another important benefit of having a basis in Vedic philosophy is that you as an astrologer will be able to spiritually guide the people who come to you. This is why it was the great saintly brahmanas who took up astrology because they had the background philosophical knowledge and used astrology as a medium to guide people in their spiritual journey. This is the actual purpose of Vedic astrology. An astrologer who is not a scholar of the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam is Vedic in name only can not properly guide and should be avoided. Read more about the philosophy of Vedic astrology.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is
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Srimad Bhagavatam (18 volumes)
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Caitanya Caritamrta (9 volumes)
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Mahabharata Download the 12 volume Ganguli edition as pdf

Ramayana
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Vedanta Sutra the Govinda Bhashya by Baladeva
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Mechanistic and Nonmechanistic Science by Richard L. Thompson
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Other Divinatory systems

An exposure to other systems help you grasp the philosophy of divination. These texts are scholarly works and not new age fluff, for serious students.

African Divination Systems: Ways of Knowing (African Systems of Thought)
A series of essays by several anthropologists describing a variety of related systems of divination practiced in different parts of sub-Saharan Africa. While these authors are outsiders they sincerely attempt to be unbiased and sympathetic to the people and their traditions and recognize that divination is a “way of knowing.” They are not derisive, insulting or condescending as is the case of other anthropologists. Of particular interest is the chapter on how one was chosen to become a diviner and the often personal difficulties they had to bear to be chosen.
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I Ching [Chinese mantic tradition]
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Oracles and Divination.
A series of scholarly articles on the mantic traditions of Tibet, China, Japan, Greece and Rome, the Germanic world, Mesopotamia, Egypt, ancient Israel and Islam.
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Supplementary Reading

While it is absolutely essential that the Vedic Astrologer has a solid foundation in Vedic philosophy and worldview in order to spiritually guide their clients it is also useful that the astrologer be able to help their clients in developing strategic solutions to their problems. To do so the astrologer should be well read in a variety of subjects and have that as a basis to draw on. We can learn a lot from history, what to do and what to avoid. How other people have dealt with similar challenges and how to protect ourselves from evil people. Below is a selection of timeless classics from ancient India, China, Greece, Rome and renaissance Europe. Useful information for those who were born to advise others. Remember that Canakya Pandit tells us that the astrologer was a member of the council of ministers who advised the King. Such royal ministers not only told of good and bad times but also advised on strategy and tactics to be employed during those times. An astrologer who was accurate in his predictions and could advise on both spiritual and material plane was a valuable jewel among men.

Artha Sastra by Canakya Pandit (classical political science and military strategy)
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Maxims Of Chanakya
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Pancatantra (niti sastra)
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Hitopadesa (niti sastra)
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The Histories by Herodotus
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Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Plutarch
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The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides
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The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
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The Seven Military Classics Of Ancient China
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Romance of the Three Kingdoms
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