Jothishi or Jyotish Vidya is as old as the Vedas. The Vedangas was the first scripture which mentioned about the study of Jothishi. It refers to the six limbs of Lord Vishnu’s body, which are: Jothish, Kalpa, Nirukta, Shiksha, Vyakarana, and Chanda. Out of these Jothishi acts as the eyes of Vedanga. It is further divided into six limbs of Jothishi which lays the foundation of Vedic astrology.
Six Limbs of Jothishi
Jothishi also leads us to a better life and a transparent world, just like our eyes. It helps in relating Vedic scriptures to the lives of the people. Astrology or Jotish Vidya enables you to see God’s will and use your talents and potentialities to reach your goals. Astrology helps you to break the facade about coincidence. It tells you that nothing is a coincidence in life, instead, circumstances occur due to fate and destiny. It can give us the knowledge by which you can understand yourself and your importance in the context of society.
Jothishi And It’s Six Limbs
Jotishi has six limbs which further divide the knowledge of jyotish; observational astronomy (gola), calculations (ganita) , natal astrology (jataka), answering questions (prashna), choosing beginnings (muhurta), and interpretation of omens (nimita).
Gola
Gola refers to positional or observational astronomy. In this branch data is recorded about the universe. It is the practice and study of observing celestial objects like planets and stars, with the help of naked eyes, telescopes, and other astronomical instruments. Besides, in this limb of jothishi you will read about the motions of the planet and what effect they have on individuals living on the face of the earth.
Ganitha
These are mathematical diagnostic tools for analyzing the results of Gola. For this birth details are pertinent. Date of birth, the month of birth, year of birth, time of birth a.m./p.m., place of birth (village / city, district, state & country) are fundamental details that you need to provide to the astrologer. On the basis of which the astrologer calculates the position of planets at the time of your birth. Moreover, Vedic astrology mentions the existence of 12 houses, each with its own characteristics. These characteristics and the effects of planets and Sun sign combine to create a map of your life.
Calculations which determines the good days or bad days, lunar months and festive seasons and auspicious days for the larger audience are mentioned in ‘panchang’ or Ephemeris. Besides, nowadays there is a computer software on Indian Astrology that is available. Calculations for a horoscope includes Lagna Kundli (Birth Chart), Chandra Kundli (Moon Chart), Navamsa Kundli, etc. Besides, ganitha also determines Dashas and events like Vimshottari Mahadasha-Antardasha-Pratyantar Dasha, Yogini Dashas and Ashtottari dashas.
Jataka
The Kundali or Jatakam is the planetary position at the time of birth. In the case of Prashna Kundali, it is the planetary position at the time of asking a prashna(question) to an astrologer or when the query is made. In fact, whenever a child is born the first thing a family does is getting the janampatri (Jatakam, or Kundali) of the newborn. This practice is followed for ages in Hindu families. This
Prashna
It is answering specific questions. Prashna in Hindi means questioning. Whenever a question occurs in your mind, you ask for its solution. The question can be related to Dashas, omens, difficulties or problems in life. Hence, the astrologer answers these questions after reading your horoscope or interpreting planetary situations in accordance to Vedic astrology.
Muhurta
Muhurtham refers to electing the most auspicious time to do something very important in life. In fact, it is inevitable for events like marriage, starting a business, filing a lawsuit, making a major purchase, Griha Pravesh, surgery, beginning a treatment or health routine, etc.
Shubh Muhurat is that period of time that according to a Panchang is the most fruitful time for the native. It is the time when constellations and planets are in a position which will yield good results. Brahma Muhurta or the muhurta of Lord Brahma is the time period 1 hour 36 minutes before the sunrise.
Nimitta
It is one of the six limbs of Jothishi and refers to ‘omen’ or sign. Nimitta occurs accidentally whenever an unlucky event is about to happen. Nimitta shastra list several signs to observe in our waking state as well as in the dream state. Dreams are where your desire and repulsion, fear, grief and love, all combine and come in front of you without any limitations. Moreover, Shastra also mentions the relation of these omens with different planets, deities, plants and animals.
