Introduction to Vedic Astrology
Indian (Vedic) Astrology has three branches: -
a) Ganitam (Mathematical calculations including Astronomy) – This includes Gola (deals with Astronomy) and Ganitam (calculations of planetary positions, movements etc.)
a) Ganitam (Mathematical calculations including Astronomy) – This includes Gola (deals with Astronomy) and Ganitam (calculations of planetary positions, movements etc.)
c) Samhitha (Mundane astrology) – This includes the prediction of mundane affairs like events related to a country, rain, earthquake, flood, national calamities, variations in the prices of commodities etc.
Forecast/Prediction in Vedic Astrology
Apart from Prasna, analysis of Horoscope (taking into consideration present planeraty positions and Dasa / Antar Dasa of planets etc.) is most common method of predicting likely future. Current birth’s planetary position can be related to a balance sheet of native’s good and bad karmas of his previous births and this balance sheet shows how he receieves good and bad events in current life if and only if one do not act upon it (by his good conduct, doing japa/meditation/parihaaram (remedial measures) and most importantly 'RIGHTEOUSNESS'.
Brief about Prasnam (Horary Astrology)
Brief about Prasnam (Horary Astrology)
What is Prasnam?
Prasnam is a Sanskrit word which means a question or query.
The astrologer answers that question with the help of planetary positions at the time of question and ‘Aaruda’, which is obtained using ‘Kavadi’ (sea shells).
Below are the combinations of different methods of answering a query by an Astrologer: -
- Primarily, Aaruda which is obtained using Kavadi is the most important point of reference.
- Tambula (Betel Leaves) – A planet is obtained using a mathematical calculation method (Pancheekarana Prakriya), i.e., No. of betel leaves x 2 x 5 + 1 then divided by 7, which will give a reminder ranging from 1 to 7. Planets based on reminders – 1=Sun, 2=Moon, 3=Kujan, 4=Budhan, 5=Guru, 6=Sukran and 0 or 7=Sani. The house where the planet is posited, that is taken as the point of reference.
- House occupied by Chandra (Moon) is another point of reference.
- ‘Udaya Lagnam’ (Ascendant) is yet another point of reference (time of question).
In Ashtamangala Prasnam, there are more additional points of references.
Ashtamangala Prasnam - Introduction
In this blog, I would only talk about Ashtamangala Prasnam.
In fact, the other prasnas like Vivaha Prasnam, Santana Prasnam, Chora Prasnam etc. are rated below this (i.e., degree in which ascertaining a problem/root cause - just like difference between a CT scan (Tambula Prasnam) and MRI scan (Ashtamangala Prasnam).
This is the ultimate sophisticated diagnosis methodology in Vedic Astrology that is being practiced widely in Kerala (or elsewhere) for finding out the root cause of doshas (toughest problems) in a family or in a temple.
Ashtamangalam means eight (Ashta) auspicious materials.
They are: -
Pramanam - 1 (Principle 1; widely acceptable and followed)
|| समुल्ग दर्पण स्वर्ण पुष्पाक्षत फलानि च
ताम्बूलं ग्रन्धमित्यष्टमङ्गलानि विदुर्बुधाः ||
1. Kumkuma Cheppu (Small container used for keeping Kumkum)
2. Mirror (Vaal Kannadi)
3. Gold
4. Flower (Tulsi & Tumba)
5. Akshatam (mixture of rice and paddy grains)
6. Fruits
7. Taambulam (Betal leaves & Areca nuts)
8. Grandham / Palm Leaf Texts (Like Ramayanam/Bhagavat Gita etc.)
Pramanam – 2 (Principle 2)
|| तांबूलं अक्षतं चैव क्रमुकं दारुभाजनं
अम्बरं दर्पणं ग्रन्धं दीपमित्यष्टमङ्गलम् ||
1. Taambulam (Betal leaves)
2. Akshatam (mixture of rice and paddy grains)
3. Kramukam (Areca nuts / Paakku)
4. Kumkuma Cheppu (Small container used for keeping Kumkum)
5. Vastram (White Dhoti/Clothe)
6. Mirror (Vaal Kannadi)
7. Grandham / Palm Leaf Texts (Like Ramayanam / Bhagavat Geeta etc.)
8. Oil Lamp (Vilakku)
Note: These are required for diagnosis purpose only. No items mentioned above will be taken by the Astrologer after the Prasnam.
Why Ashtamangala Prasnam is to be conducted?
There are so many reasons as to why this is to be conducted. For example, after doing so many pujas and parihaarams, desired results have not been achieved.
Why one did not receive the desired result? A normal Prasnam cannot answer this question. But an Ashtamangala Prasnam can.
Another important reason is to find 'Kula Devata'. Finding out kula devata through Ashtamangala Prasnam is 100% accurate.
Another reason is that the degree of some problems are so high and cannot be solved without being diagnosed through Ashtamangala Prasnam.
Some of the other reasons are listed below: -
Family
(Considering past three generations and immediate family branches)
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Temple
(Called as Deva Prasnam)
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1. Marriages are not happening for one or more family members
2. One or more branch of family members are not blessed with a baby
3. Always quarrel / absence of deep love / differences of opinion / cold war between family members etc.
4. Abortion or Premature deaths of new bornes in the family
5. Incurable disease for one or more family members
6. One or more divorce cases or separation in the family
7. Family members had to marry more than ones due to many reasons
8. One or entire family members are struggling for finance/education
9. To find out kula devata (family devata/deity)
Etc.
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1. To ascertain the divinity of the deity.
2. To ascertain the sanctity of a temple.
3. To know whether puja and festivals are done as per Sastras/as prescribed
4. To know the income and expenditure of the temple (i.e., to understand any misleads, theft etc.)
5. To know about offerings
6. To why puja/rituals have been broken without solid reason, or matter relating to rituals etc.
7. To know whether the idol is ideal to be worshiped
There are many other reasons which required Ashtamangala Prasnam to be conducted mandatory.
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Points of References for Diagnosis in Ashtamangala Prasnam
There are six points of references through which diagnosis is done during Ashtamangala Prasnam.
1. Aarudam (Obtained using Gold Coin (Puthu panam) and Tambulam/Betel Leaves). Gold Coin along with five things (representing five elements) namely, Sanctified water, sandal, flowers (Tulsi & Thumba), paddy grains and rice together are given to the hands of a girl (should be kanya) or boy and the Astrolger ask her/him to put those in anyone of the 12 houses after doing puja of Rasi Chakra. Puja is offered to Guru, Ganapati, Dakshinamurty and Nine Planets. Gold here is Jeevaatma. This symbolises a new baby is born during Prasnam.
2. Udaya Lagnam – Mentioned above
3. Lagna Navamsakam - Navamsaka Rasi where Lagna is posited
4. Chatram – A method of calclulating another point of reference considering Aarudam and Position of Sun.
5. Sprishtaangam – House related to part of the body to which native touches during Prasna kriya.
6. Chandran/Moon – House which moon is posited.
Other Mathematical Calculations
Following are some of the mathematical calculations (supports diagnosis) done during Ashtamangala Prasnam. In normal horoscope reading/Prasnam, these calculations are not done.
Ashtamangala Sankhya (Relating to Kavadi)
Trisphutam
Chatusphutam
Chatusphutam
Panchasphutam
Prana Sphutam
Deha Sphutam
Mrityu Sphutam
Gulika Sphutam
Jeeva Sutram
Roga Sutram
Mrityu Sutram
To understand the level of Vedic Astrological Diagnosis, I have formulated a small table with a logical comparison with the present day “Court (Legal Examination)” and “Hospitals (Medical Examination)” for better understanding
Level
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Astrological Diagnosis
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Hospitals (Medical Examination)
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Law / Court (Legal Examination)
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1.
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Horoscope / Natal Chart / Birth Chart Reading
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Clinic
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Sessions Court
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2.
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Prasnam (Kavadi/sea shells) + Horoscopy (as required)
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General Hospital
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District Court
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3.
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Tambula Prasnam (includes Betal leaves, Kavadi + horoscopy)
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Medical College
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High Court
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4.
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Ashtamangala Prasnam (includes all of the above)
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Super Specialty Hospital
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Supreme Court
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Note: So it is indisputable that the remedial measures (parihaarams) decided after Ashtamangala Prasnam is ultimate just like Supreme Court. There is no other method of diagnosing the root cause of difficult problems (Doshas) in Vedic Astrology.
How is Ashtamangala Prasna conducted?
(a) It starts with inviting a learned Astrologer for Ashtamangala Prasnam. Invitation has to done with due respect.
(b) A date for conducting Prasnam will be given by the Astrologer. This Prasna will take minimum two days and it can extend to three or more days in proportion to the degree of problems/doshas (as the case may be). The start date should be one of the 16 stars which are suitable for Annaprasanam excluding the stars posited in 8th house from the Prichchaka’s Janma Rasi (the person who wants to conduct the Prasna/making query).
(c) There has to be a minimum of two Astrologers for debate.
(d) On the Prasnam day, a priest would perform Rasi Chakra puja and during that time, main Astrologer will ask a girl (should be kanya) or boy to keep the Gold coin (along with Rice, Paddy, Flower, Sandal & Water) in one of the twelve houses without pre-conceived thought.
(e) Prasnam then continues. After full diagnosis, remedial measures will be finalized on the last day of Prasnam.
(f) At the end, main Karmi/Vaidika/Tantric (who will head Parihaara Homam) will be finalized. This done after being agreed by 'Guru (Jupiter)' and the process is called 'Ozhivu'. If Guru favours a particular priest or vaidika or tantric, then he is allowed to do the parihaarams. Otherwise, NOT.
(g) Finally, a rasi will be taken to know whether all the desired results will happen after doing remedial measures or not; or anything omitted/ignored etc.
Here ends Ashtamangala Prasnam - Part I.
Part - II
(a) Main Astrologer will prepare a report (in a notebook) mentioning all the relevant facts and parihaara kriyas.
(b) Parihaara kriyas will be then arranged according to the availability of Karmi/Vaidika/Tantric, Astrologer and the family members.
Love & Best Regards,
Dr. Gopalakrishna Sharma
Astrologer
