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what veda say about astrology
Astrology is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. It is the study of the movements and positions of celestial bodies, such as planets and stars, and their influence on human affairs and natural phenomena. In India, astrology is deeply rooted in the Vedic tradition, which is one of the oldest and most comprehensive systems of knowledge in the world. The Vedas are a collection of sacred texts that form the foundation of Hinduism and contain a wealth of information about astrology. In this article, we will explore what the Vedas say about astrology and its significance in Hinduism.
The Vedic Tradition and Astrology
The Vedic tradition dates back to the second millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest continuous traditions in the world. It is based on the Vedas, a collection of sacred texts that were transmitted orally for generations before being written down in Sanskrit. The Vedas contain a vast body of knowledge about the universe, including astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and astrology.
Astrology is an integral part of the Vedic tradition and is known as Jyotish, which means “the science of light.” Jyotish is based on the principle that the celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and planets, have an influence on human affairs and natural phenomena. The movements and positions of these bodies can be used to predict future events and understand the past.
The Vedas and Astrology
The Vedas contain several references to astrology and its importance in the Vedic tradition. For example, the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, contains hymns that praise the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies. These hymns describe the movement of these bodies and their influence on the world. They also describe the importance of astrology in predicting future events and understanding the past.
The Atharvaveda, another of the Vedas, contains several hymns that describe the role of astrology in medicine. These hymns describe how the movements of the planets and stars can be used to diagnose and treat diseases. They also describe the importance of astrology in determining the auspicious time for important events, such as marriages and ceremonies.
The Vedangas
The Vedangas are a set of texts that were developed to aid in the study and understanding of the Vedas. They include six disciplines: phonetics, grammar, etymology, meter, astronomy, and ritual. Astronomy, which is known as Jyotisha, is one of the six Vedangas and is considered a necessary tool for understanding the Vedas.
The Jyotisha Vedanga contains information about astrology and astronomy. It describes the movements and positions of the celestial bodies and how they can be used to predict future events. It also describes the importance of astrology in determining the auspicious time for important events, such as marriages and ceremonies.
The Nakshatras
The Nakshatras are the 27 lunar mansions that are used in Vedic astrology. They are based on the movement of the moon and divide the zodiac into 27 equal parts. Each Nakshatra is associated with a particular deity, and each has its own unique characteristics and qualities.
The Nakshatras are mentioned in several of the Vedas, including the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda. They are also described in detail in the Jyotisha Vedanga. The Nakshatras are used in Vedic astrology to determine the position of the moon and to calculate important astrological events, such as eclipses and new moons.
The Planets
The Vedas also contain information about the planets and their influence on human affairs. In Vedic astrology, there are nine planets, including the sun and moon. Each planet is associated with a particular deity.