Hindu astrology otherwise known as Jyotish Shastra is possibly the most antiquated astrology in the whole universe. It is the method referred to in the old Vedic writings. In this place, Jyotish signifies the science of light or heavenly body while Shastra means knowledge about a specific subject. It is a Sanskrit terminology that involves the light related to the stars (astral light). Jyotish Shastra involves learning about the future which is an essential part of the Vedas (earliest Hindu writings). It is far beyond a simple divination method. It is a proficient Vidya, which plays a significant role in the profound philosophy of life.
As long as astrology is a dateless art, this may be a little hard for the new science to explain. There are a lot of things about this field misjudged by many people. Due to these misjudgments, there are lots of wrong ideas about this ancient knowledge. Among many, ten of this misjudgment and myths is revealed in this write-up.
(1) Astrology was founded on sorcery and metaphysical activity
The people that do not practice astrology most times bad mouth it as some cryptic voodooism activity. But the fact is astrology is rooted in old science in the Hindu sacred writings (Vedas). The primary thing adopted in Hindu astrology is a natal chart, generated from data about your birth history (location and time you were born). The chart alone is an engraving of the position and appearance of the planet, stars and the whole universe at that exact period you came into the world.
It is very inspiring that astrology is also referred to as Jyotish which means the science of light when translated. It is based its foundation on the things we are familiar with in the world. So there is entirely nothing cryptic about them.
(2) Jyotish does not mean radiation from other planets
As stated earlier Jyotish literal meaning is “god of light,” but most times it is interpreted as the “science of light.” “Jyoti” means light or illumination which indicates the illumination of stars and planets. Notwithstanding, since our physical appearance is the reflection of our inner self. Therefore, the light also means the light of God inside us.
Thus, some people have a wrong idea about Jyotish that it is radiation from the planets that influence our lives or affects our fate one way or the other, but that was just a mere fallacy. Rays can only affect us physically, the same way ultraviolet rays of the Sun generates heat and illuminates the earth. Likewise, rays emitted from the Moon during a Full Moon period are the reason behind tides produced in a sea. Therefore, they have no relationship with our destiny.
(3) It is merely to provide information about your weekly Zodiac sign and Horoscope
A lot of people derive pleasure in reading about horoscopes via the internet. They regard it as a mere entertainment exercise. In fact, astrology has a deeper meaning than just a side attraction.
Vedic astrology relies majorly on karma and other planetary arrangements. It is just the aggregate of your karma that brings about future events. Let us assume your natal chart indicates that this seed is an orange seed. That illustrates the seed has the potential to sprout into an orange tree but not limited to that alone. The orange tree will as well bring forth as many oranges as possible and live its life as long as it is permitted to. That is an example of the potential of an individual’s chart. It displays the seed which has the probability of reaching its optimum destiny to bring forth fruits of your karma.
Generally, a birth chart is the detailed plan or schematics of your destiny, containing texts that can only be deciphered by an astrologer. That is far more important than a mere forecast about how your week or day is going to be.
(4) It can forecast about the future correctly and probably make a change as well
That may be regarded as the most perilous misconception about astrology. In contrast to that widespread belief, astrology does not aim to predict everything you will encounter in the future. Rather, it is supposed to be your mentor and permit you to choose wisely and avoid pitfalls in your day to day activities. The purpose of astrology is to help you make it in life without going astray. It can assist you in making better decisions by showing you the right path.
(5) The fallacy about its practice
The Jyotish does not need to provide readings to gain more knowledge. The astrologer can perform retrospective research through examination of past events in an individuals’ chart without feeling compelled to deliver accurate readings or appropriate recommendations where necessary. Just like studying charts of actors who have won an award or a friend who just got promoted in their place of work. Those two examples may be of help. Another example is analyzing charts of celebrities to help have a better understanding of how it works.
Therefore, making it a habit of studying different charts continuously, one will have in-depth knowledge about Vedic astrology.
(6) Who teaches an astrologer?
That is another huge misconception about Hindu astrology in the form of a question. Vedic astrology is founded on an oral tradition. From the beginning, students of Vedic astrology would have a class with their guru for several hours chanting Jyotish texts, debating about principles and going through charts. After some time, the refined discernment of their teacher is inherited by the student. However, this one on one tutorial class with a scholar cannot be replaced with any other lecture set up.
While studying Hindu astrology questions you cannot avoid comes up. These questions can only be answered by someone with an in-depth knowledge of Jyotish (Jyotish scholar or guru).
(7) It is straightforward to be a student of Jyotish
Vedic astrology is a science with its academic conditions that you must meet up to as a student. It is not as easy as it is assumed to be. It possesses its qualities that are determined by the whole factor of Sahsatra like Bhawa, Gharha, Dhasa and the likes of it.
Hindu astrology needs the study of a wide range of unique information. There is no way to boycott this requirement. That is very similar to the case of a guitarist that needs to memorize different notes till it becomes part of him or her, so the Vedic astrologer must have that unique information at hand when analyzing a birth chart.
(8) The false idea about Gemstones
Some astrologers believe that if we put on gemstones connected to some planets, then the rays that emanate from them will go through the gems, penetrates our body and automatically change our fate. That was a wrong idea about gemstones. Observation of gemstones reveals that they have some influence on the state of mind and sometimes the health condition of an individual.
It is not the rays emitted but the location of the planetary bodies at the time of birth of an individual as displayed from his home. That has something to do with the person’s temperament and his fate.
(9) Vedic astrology does not involve spiritual practice
This assumption is very wrong. Jyotish is a spiritual science, and its knowledge cannot be acquired through technical academic study alone. As you advance in knowledge, Vedic astrology requires the combination of intuition and intellect for accurate interpretation of the symbolic language of astrology. This intuition can solely be developed via spiritual practices.
Right from the inception of Hindu astrology, the Jyotish was being introduced into the worship a god personal to an individual to help lighten their intuition. For example most times, Vedic astrologers worship Lord Ganesha because he is regarded as the chief god of Jyotish.
(10) Jyotish is just for making money
Great sages created Vedic astrology for the betterment of humanity. A Jyotish is not different from this. Their primary mission is to aid and be at the service of other people. The clue to moral behavior is to feel responsible for the well being of others. Therefore, the primary purpose of Jyotish is to have the interest of others at heart as well as receiving funds to take care of her primary needs.
So Jyotish is not only practiced for business purposes but the well being of the people as well. In conclusion, astrology is similar to counseling; it is a profession that aims to help people. Vedic astrology is an excellent forecasting method. Though some myths and misjudgments exist about it, the principles of Hindu astrology have its elements to make us aware of some future prophecy in our life.