Astrology
What is astrology?
Astrology is a science of predicting future events based on effects of planetary position. These predictions are based on the map of sky (with stars and planets) at the time of occurrence of an event as seen from the location of the event on the Earth. In case of birth of a person such a map is called as Natal Chart and it is unique in nature. As everyone knows planets are part of our solar system and they revolve around sun. Day to day positions of these planetary bodies (and also other asteroids) are now accurately measured by astronomers and published in the form of ephemeris. Natal and /or Horary Charts prepared by astrologers are based on such accurate ephemeris. Most of the available astrological softwares now-a-days, use Swiss ephemeris which are supposed to be most accurate.
All planets move around the Sun in a belt of about 7 and half degrees. This belt is defined as a Zodiac, which is 3600. This Zodiac is divided into 12 parts, each part known as Sign or Rashi (as termed by Hindus). There are 27 constellations or Nakshatras in zodiac. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are 7 planets generally used in Astrology. Though Sun is a Star and Moon is a satellite of Earth, they are taken as planets because these are two luminaries who influence life and other events on the Earth. Further Rahu (North Node) and Ketu (South Node) which are mathematical points and do not possess any mass or body are also given the status of planet in astrology because they also influence the life on Earth as planets do. So these 9 planets, 12 Rashis and 27 Nakshatras are the basic foundation of Astrology. Predictions are based on permutations and combinations of planetary positions in different rashis and nakshatras. School of Astrology followed in India is the one that is described by Sage Parashara from Vedic period. Hence it is known as Vedic astrology. As per Historians these Vedas date back to 5000 BC. However if one calculates this period based on planetary and equinox positions described in Vedas it can be estimated to be around 6500 years BC.
In Ramayana, the great Indian Epic, the writer Sage Valmiki described planetary positions and other details at the time of birth of Lord Rama. This was possible because of his knowledge of Astrology. Similarly there are many instances in Mahabharata to prove that astrology was known in those days. So it can be concluded that Vedic Astrology is the oldest known to humankind.
Western and Arabic Astrology were developed around 2nd century i.e. quite a long time after Vedic Astrology.
During recent years many astrologers developed their own systems through their untiring research and claim more accuracy in prediction. Krishnamurthy Paddhati is one such system. It was developed by Late. Prof. K. S. Krishnamurthy. I was impressed because of its (a) simplicity (b) scientific and logical approach and (c) accuracy in prediction.
Let us see what the differences between Vedic Astrology and Krishnamurthi Paddhati are.
Vedic or Traditional Astrology
The Lagna (Ascendant) point rising on the eastern horizon is taken as the mid-point of the first bhava (House).
In rashi charts, House division is usually Equal House Division. Here all the houses are 300 and contain one full rashi. However for erecting a Bhavchalit Chart Lagna and 10th house (mid-heaven) are calculated and the arc is then divided in three equal parts. This gives mid-points of 10th, 11th and 12th houses. Similarly the arc between Lagna and 4th house is divided in three equal parts to get the mid-points of 2nd, 3rd and 4th houses. In this chart the houses are not of equal arc.
Lahiri Ayanamsha is used for calculating cusp positions as well as planetary positions. The bright star Spica (Called Chitra in India) is assumed to be at 00 Libra and the point exactly opposite to it is assumed to be 00 Aries or the starting point of Nirayana Zodiac
Prediction is given based on disposition of planet(s) in particular bhava and rashi while no importance is given to Nakshatras (or constellations). Planetary aspects are taken into consideration to modify such predictions. However, only whole-sign aspects are considered in Vedic astrology. There are many rules written in the form of Sanskrit Slokas which one has to learn by heart. Such rules and their interpretations were verbally transmitted to next generation through Guru-Shishya parampara.
Krishnamurthi Paddhati
Prof. Krishnamurthi studied and practiced Vedic Astrology for many years. He observed that his predictions went off the mark quite often. To find the reason for this, he researched for decades and came up with entirely unique and new method of prediction which he named as “Krishnamurthi Paddhati”.
According to Krishnamurthi Paddhati, planet does not give result of the house or rashi where it is deposited but always gives the result of the house where its star lord is situated and the houses owned by this star lord. And the sub lord of that planet has the power to decide whether the result will be favorable or unfavorable. This is the basic and major difference between Vedic and KP.
He also evolved a special technique to find out the houses signified by a planet. And the logical way to correlate the Vimshottari dasha period of planets to pin point the event is marvelous.
In KP Lagna (Ascendant) is taken to be the starting point of 1st bhava (house) in contrast with Vedic method where it is taken as bhava Madhya (mid-point). As a result position of many planet(s) may change (as compared to Vedic Chart) in relation to house occupied. This will definitely affect the prediction.
Secondly, Prof. Krishnamurthi adopted more scientific method of house division known as Plaucidus System. This is based on spherical trigonometry and is used by majority of the astrologers in the world.
Prof. Krishnamurthi fixed his own Ayanamsha known as KP Ayanamsha. Calculation for this ayanamsha was based on Newcomb’s rate of precession. He used this ayanamsha during his research and naturally using any other ayanamsha will not give correct results. The Sayana (Fixed) Zodiac used by Western Astrologers and Nirayana (Moving) Zodiac used by Hindus coincided in the year 291 as per this precession rate.
Thirdly, Prof. Krishnamurthi came up with a revolutionary idea of Ruling Planets. This is a divine guidance according to him. With logical and correct use of Ruling Planets an astrologer can answer any query which is generally out of bounds for the subject of Astrology.
Many KP Astrologers are carrying out more research to develop further and fine tune Krishnamurthi Paddhati. The advanced theories propagated by some of them are:
- 1. K. Baskaran’s KB Theory
- 2. Dr. K. R. Kars MST or sub-sub theory
- 3. Cuspal Interlink Theory by S. P. Khullar
- 4. 4 Step Theory by Sunil Gondhalekar
I was blessed with an opportunity to study “4 Step Theory” developed by Sunil Gondhalekar, directly from him.
