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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