Over
the years I've heard many teachers of jyotish or Vedic astrology talk
about what are the necessary components that students need in order to
be able to practice jyotish successfully. I have been especially influenced
by K.N. Rao and Hart DeFouw who are, in my experience, the two most accomplished
teachers today in the East and West respectively. I realized that it would
be helpful to gather a list of these essentials to help students develop
a solid foundation to their study.
Learning
any discipline, whether it is jyotish, music, medicine etc., is like embarking
on a mountaineering expedition. It requires a strong desire to reach the
destination, skill, and commitment. Just like there are ten essentials
for the mountaineer - pocketknife, first-aid kit, matches, map, compass
etc., there are five essentials for the study of jyotish.
The five essentials are:
1)
Technical Proficiency
Jyotish
is a science that has its own set of academic requirements. For instance,
it requires the memorization of a large body of technical information.
There's no way around it. Just like the pianist needs to memorize scales
until they become second nature, the jyotishi or astrologer needs technical
information at the forefront of his or her awareness when analyzing a
chart.
The jyotishi
must be able to give a clear, logical explanation of the conclusions they've
made about a chart. For example: "This person has a strong likelihood
of children. The 5th house, representing children, is unaspected by malefics,
and Jupiter, a benefic and the significator of children, aspects the 5th
house. Jupiter also gains strength by being in a Hamsa Mahapurusha Yoga
in the 1st house in its own sign. Also, the 5th lord is located on an
angle in a friend's sign aspected by Venus, a benefic. You can also see
this pattern repeating itself from chandra lagna, and in the Navamsa chart,
etc." This may sound complicated but it is actually only basic chart
interpretation skills.
In addition to memorizing the basic technical information, K.N. Rao strongly
recommends that students learn to do many calculations manually, like
the dashas and divisional charts, instead of relying on computer software
programs. A jyotishi's initial focus should be to develop technical skill
and clear, interpretive logic. If the jyotishi relies on computers for
all calculations and on intuition for chart interpretation they may never
develop a substantial level of technical proficiency.
2)
Continual Practice
It's
not enough just to memorize technical information - it must be applied
over and over to as many charts as possible. No matter how many workshops
one attends or theoretical books one reads nothing can replace experience
in chart interpretation. One drop of practice is
better than an ocean of theory as they say.
The
jyotishi doesn't have to give readings to get experience. He or she can
do retrospective research by studying past events in anyone's chart without
the pressure of having to give an accurate reading or offering sound advice.
For example, it's helpful to analyze charts of actors who have won an
Oscar, or friends who have received a promotion at their job. It's also
helpful to analyze the charts of celebrities or individuals who epitomize
specific character traits. There are also books and astrological journals
with example charts that one can study.
By
getting into the habit of continually studying charts, for instance 3
or more per day, one's understanding of jyotish will accelerate dramatically.
3)
Jyotish Guru
Inevitably
while studying jyotish questions arise that can only be answered by someone
with more experience. The jyotishi needs a teacher or jyotish guru available
for this purpose. A guru is someone who dispels confusion and brings clarity.
"Gu" means shadow or darkness, while "ru" means to
disperse or remove.
Jyotish
is based in an oral tradition. Traditionally, the student would sit with
their guru for long hours reciting jyotish texts, discussing principles,
and studying charts. Over time the student acquires the refined discernment
of their teacher. There is no replacement for this kind of one on one
tutoring with a qualified teacher.
Hart
DeFouw tells the story of a Taoist master who was asked, "What is
the definition of a master?" The Taoist master replied, "A master
is someone who started earlier than you." A jyotish guru does not
need to be a famous or legendary personage. Of course this is ideal, but
it is not always possible. Finding a suitable teacher is a function of
our karma. Personally I feel very fortunate to have met my jyotish guru
Sri K.N. Rao and to be connected to his lineage of teachers. At the least
your teacher needs to be more experienced, easily accessible, and able
to dispel your confusions.
4)
Spiritual Practice
Jyotish
is a spiritual science that cannot be learned only through technical academic
study. At
some point in one's development the jyotishi needs to combine both intuition
and intellect in order to interpret the symbolic language of astrology
correctly. Intuition is developed through spiritual practices.
Traditionally,
the jyotishi would be initiated into the worship of a personal deity or
ishta devata who would help illumine their intuition. For instance,
Vedic astrologers often worship Ganesha because he is considered the patron
deity of jyotish. Deity worship is the devotion to a specific aspect of
God and is not idol worship, which is a common misconception.
Whether
one chooses to perform puja (worship), chant mantras, meditate, pray,
recite affirmations or do any other practice, what is important is to
have a rich inner life that cultivates a state of calmness and clarity
of mind from which intuition springs. It is usually recommended to commit
at least 20 minutes twice a day to spiritual practices, preferably at
sunrise and sunset.
Jyotish
literally means the "lord of light," but is often translated
as the "science of light." "Jyoti" means light, which
refers to the luminosity of the stars and planets. However, since our
outer reality is a reflection of our inner reality, the light also refers
to the light of God within. The jyotishi needs to be attuned to the inner
spiritual light in order to interpret external phenomenon clearly.
"Astrology
is a revelatory science and it is revealed not by aggression but by faith
and surrender to the divine," K.N. Rao says.
5)
Ethical Orientation
The
jyotishi can experience inner light while doing spiritual practices but
if his or her actions are not ethical then his or her clarity of mind
suffers. Jyotish was brought forth by great sages for the welfare and
benefit of humanity. When the jyotishi has the same attitude, and their
primary motivation is to benefit and serve others, then he or she can
be the most effective. The Dalai Lama says, "The key to ethical behavior
is the concern for the welfare of others." Here's just one quote,
among many others, that indicate that the original intention of Jyotish
was for the welfare of others:
Maharishi Parashara said: O Brahmin! Now, after making obedience to
Lord Shiva, I shall describe the Kala Chakra Dasha. Whatever was related
by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati is being explained by me for the use
of sages to be utilized for the welfare of the people.
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra ch46, v52-53
K.N. Rao emphasizes the need for an attitude of service when he says,
"Fundamentally, true astrology begins only when one feels reasonably
secure both inside and outside. Then only is one able to imbibe an attitude
of service – which is the crucial key to unlocking the treasure
of any Vidya (knowledge) such as astrology."
Astrology,
like counseling, is a helping profession. Jyotish is also a powerful predictive
system. A jyotishi's words can strongly influence others for better or
for worse. Therefore, he or she needs to evaluate whether what they say
and how they say it is ultimately helpful. Certainly, instilling fear
in others through fatalistic statements is not helpful. In addition, promoting
expensive remedial measures unnecessarily in order to benefit the jyotishi
financially is unethical. Ultimately, how the jyotishi handles their relationships
with clients is their own karmic responsibility.
"Always
remember the four 'mahavakyas' (great axioms) of astrology - have faith;
be diligent and practice patience; humbly learn from your mistakes, and
live a life of service. Then the divine lotus of astrology will open in
you." - K.N. Rao
Quotes
From Classical Jyotish Texts
From
Sage Varahamihira in the Brihat Samhita:
"The
astrologer must be clean, efficient, bold, eloquent, possessed of genius,
sincere, not timid in assemblies, not to be overpowered by fellow students,
expert, well versed in the art of performing rituals of both curative
and preventive types and suggesting remedial measures."
From
Sage Parashara in the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra:
Teach
this supreme vedanga jyotish shastra only to one who is gentle and amiable,
devoted, truthful, brilliant and well known to you. Only that person,
who possesses adequate knowledge of time and the positions of grahas and
nakshatras, can understand this Hora Shastra. Only that person, who has
complete knowledge of the Hora Shastra and who is truthful, can make correct
favorable, or unfavorable predictions." (Ch. 97)
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