Indian Astrology

A lot of people, whom we are acquainted with, go straight to the newspaper or open up their astrology cards or their favorite bookmarked websites to have a quick look at their day’s horoscope or the astrology predictions and then proceed towards doing anything else. All these people have become habitual of doing this either just for the thrill or charm of it or else they strictly follow and believe in the stars.
We readily go and read any predictions or advice stated for our respective zodiac signs, but what we are unaware of is that this whole business actually has a complete science and logic behind It and whatever is written, is found out through an extremely extensive and comprehensive study of the stars and astronomical figures. The most elaborate and oldest study of the stars is known to be present in the Indian culture.
Indian astrology is known by several names; Vedic astrology, Jyotish or Jyotisha. Indian astrology is largely based on the scripture of the Hindu Holy Book Vedas whose text is said to link a connection between the microcosm and the macrocosm. This particular branch or type of astrology, very much differs from the usual western astrology that we are familiar with because it has various sub systems of study that interpret or translate predictions by using elements that are not part of the western astrological system such as the system of lunar mansions.
Since the Indian culture and people are very firm believers of astronomy and use it in their daily lives as an essential part, Indian astrology has hence never been out dated or obsolete. New discoveries and studies have been made and their jyotish charts and astrological concepts are used traditionally, in fact ritually in naming the newborns, deciding holidays and marriages, starting a new business or moving to a new home. In short, Indian astrological readings are the most widely and extensively used throughout the world, especially in India.
If we take a look at the history of Indian astrology, the documented evidence we find is that of the era when the Hindu and the western Hellenistic cultures amalgamated in the Indo- Greek era. Literature on astrology such as the Yavanajataka or the Brihat-Samhita, is known to be as old as the early CE centuries. The main texts of Indian astrology are known to be based upon the early medieval compilations of the famous Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra, and Sārāvalī by Kalyāṇavarman. Then there is also the Horashastra, which is based upon 71 chapters and is dated to be as old as the late 7th century and early 8th century. People of the Ganaka cast in India, found in the Kerala region are said to be experts in the study of Indian astrology.
Like the western astrology, Indian astrology also has zodiac signs which are called The Rāśi. These are namely Aries- Meṣa, Taurus- Vṛṣabha, Gemini- Mithuna, Cancer- Karkaṭa, Lio- Siṃha, Virgo- Kanyā, Libra- Tulā, Scorpio- Vṛścika, Sagittarius- Dhanus, Capricorn- Makara, Aquarius- Kumbha and Pices- Mīna.