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ASTRONOMICAL DEFINITIONS OF GRAHAS AND THE ZODIAC

1.1. The Earth’s Equator (Vishvarekha)

This is an imaginary line running around the earth in the exact middle between the south
and north poles. This divides the Earth into a northern and southern hemisphere. The
difference between the two is especially visible in the changes of the seasons (determined
by the yearly motion of the Sun). In June for example we have summer in the northern
hemisphere but simultaneously winter in the southern hemisphere. Therefore the location
of the nativity (place of birth) will be a determinant factor in the astronomical calculations
that we carry out. Therefore it is necessary to be able to determine the location by certain
measurements. To ascertain a point on the earth globe, we will need two coordinates: the
latitude and the longitude of the place.

1.2. The Latitude (Akshamsa)

This is the angular distance of the place from the Equator towards the North or South. It is
measured in degrees, minutes and seconds of arc. The equator is the 0° point, and the
poles are at 90° to the south and the north. The southern or northern latitude of the
nativity will determine the time of sunrise and sunset and the duration of the day and
night, which have an important role in a number of calculations in Jyotish.

1.3. The Longitude (Rekhamsa)

The longitude is the vertical measurement of degrees. The earth can be divided into 360
longitudinal meridians, each of the extent of 1°. Now the choice of the beginning point, or
0° is not determined astronomically. In the ancient India the 0° meridian was the one
intersecting the ancient town of Ujjain, where one of the Jyotirlingas (Lord Shiva’s
manifestation in a glowing stone) is situated. This Jyotirlinga is called Mahakaleshvara, and
as astrology is the science of the measurement of the quantity and quality of time (Kala),
this was naturally taken as 0°. In modern times the latitude is better known as the angular
distance from Greenwich, where the officially accepted 0° meridian runs. Thus a place may
have either eastern or western longitude from Greenwich and either southern or northern
latitude from the Equator. For example New York lies at 74° West of Greenwich and at 40°
43’ north of the equator. This is usually indicated thus: 74W00, 40N43. Paris is located at
2E20 and 48N52. The longitude will influence which planets will be above the horizon, and
which ones will be under the horizon. For example while there’s noon in New York, there
will be night in Delhi. So in one chart the Sun is above the horizon, while in another it’s
under it, although the natives were born at the same time cosmically. So the latitude
determines, where the Lagna (ascendant) will be, i.e. which sign or nakshatra will be rising
on the eastern horizon at the time of birth.

2. THE DIVISION OF THE SKY GLOBE

We can look at the sky above us as a globe around the Earth. Thus for determining
positions in the sky we will again need two coordinates.

2.1. The Celestial Equator (Nadivritta)

The celestial equator is the extension of the Earth’s equator in the skies, and it divides the
sky globe into two halves.

2.2. The Declination (Kranti)

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This will be the angular distance of a heavenly body from the celestial equator. It will be
either negative if the planet is above the northern hemisphere, or positive, in case the
planet is above the southern hemisphere. The declination is also called Ayana. Thus the
Sun’s yearly movement is divided into two parts, called Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. The
Sun reaches the southest point of its trajectory at the time of the winter solstice (Dec. 23)
and from there it begins travelling north, thus its declination gradually decreases. It
crosses the equator at the time of the vernal equinox (March 21) when on the whole Earth
the duration of day and night is equal. Then it proceeds towards the northern hemisphere
up until the point of summer solstice when the Sun is above the northest point of the Earth
and we have the longest day in the northern hemisphere and the shortest night. After that
the declination begins increasing from the lowest negative degree, and coming to the point
of autumn equinox. At this time the declination of the Sun equals 0 again, and it keeps
increasing positively till the point of winter solstice again.

2.3. The Ecliptic (Ravimarga)

The ecliptic is the Sun’s above described path, which forms a curved line, which once a
year touches the Tropic of Cancer (during summer solstice) and also once the Tropic of
Capricorn (during winter solstice), and crosses the equator twice a year at the time of the
equinoxes.

2.4. The Celestial Latitude (Kshepa)

This is the angular distance of a planet from the ecliptic (the Sun’s path). It is negative if
the planet is to the north from the ecliptic and is positive if it is to the south from it.

3. THE CIRCLE OF THE ZODIAC

3.1. The Zodiac (Bhacakra)

This is a broad band in the sky extending 9 degrees on either side of the ecliptic and
comprised of different constellations (nakshatras). The planets never get very far away
from the ecliptic, therefore they are always within this belt. As the circle has no beginning,
again, as in the case of the terrestrial longitudes, we should select an arbitrary point in the
skies as the beginning of the zodiac, which will be determined by the placement of certain
stars (nakshatras), since Parashara gave the definition that only the grahas move, and the
rest of the bodies is fixed. The zodiac consists of 360 degrees of arc (rekhas). Each degree
has 60 minutes (kala) and each minute has 60 seconds (vikala). Thus the full extent of the
zodiac may also be expressed as 21 600 minutes or 129 600 seconds of arc. There are
further submeasurements like para, paratpara and tatpara.

3.2. The 0° of the Zodiac

This point is determined on the basis of the placement of the star which is known as Zeta
Piscium in the west. This is taken as the 0° of Aries, and the beginning of Ashwini
Nakshatra also. However, this star is no longer visible as much, as it was in Parashara’s
times, therefore we can determine the exact middle of the zodiac (180° ) by the position of
the star Spica. This will also indicate the 0° of Libra, and the exact middle of Chitra
Nakshatra.

3.3. The Tropical (Sayana) and Sidereal (Nirayana) Zodiac

The above statements reveal that the zodiac used in Vedic astrology is linked with the
stars, and is immovable in comparison to them. On the other hand, observation confirms
that the Sun’s yearly cycle on the Ecliptic does not fully coincide with it’s making a
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complete circle relative to the stars, but the former is a bit shorter. This in other words
means that the Sun at the time of the vernal equinox will not come back to the same point
of the sidereal zodiac, but a little less than that. This is called precession. The tropical
zodiac is fixed to the Sun’s movement through the ecliptic, and thus it’s called the
movable (sayana) zodiac.

3.4. The Precession (Ayanamsha)

As the two zodiacs are rotating compared to each other, there’s a certain cycle to it, which
is 25 870 solar years long. Then there is a certain date of coincidence, when the 0 degrees
of both zodiacs exactly coincide. Although authorities differ on this, the most widely
accepted opinion is that the last coincidence was at the vernal equinoxe in 285 AD. There
are also different opinions regarding the yearly value of precession. Varaha Mihira states
that it’s approximately 50 1/3 vikalas or seconds of arc. Of course the precession has a
negative value, so the vernal equinox is pushed back to Pisces, then Aquarius etc. over the
years. Also the value of the ayanamsha is not linear but cyclical, as it describes the change
of the position of the ecliptic towards the celestial equator.

3.5. The Ayanamsha Value

Out of the number of suggested precessional values, the Lahiri or Chitra Paksha
Ayanamsha stands out as the most accurate, although testing with divisional charts
indicates that even this may be inaccurate for a couple of seconds of arc. But until a more
exact Ayanamsha value is suggested, this is recommended for calculations. Lahiri
Ayanamsha is verified on the basis of the placement of the above mentioned star Spica,
which forms the exact middle of the Chitra Nakshatra. According to this system, the
Ayanamsha value at the present time is 23° 52’40". This means that the Sun will this much
fall behind the 0° of Aries of the sidereal zodiac at the time of the vernal equinox. So it will
be somewhere around 6 degrees of Pisces.

4. THE DIVISIONS OF THE ZODIAC

4.1. The Nakshatra Chakra

As we have mentioned earlier, the basis of the division of the zodiac is the placement of
different constellations in it. The constellations are divided into areas in the sky, each of
which covers 13° 20’ of the whole zodiac. Thus there are 27 nakshatras beginning from
Ashwini and ending with Revati. There is also a 28th nakshatra called Abhijit. This is an
intercalary Nakshatra, i.e. it does not have any own extension, rather it occupies the last
quarter of the Uttarashadha Nakshatra and the first 1/15th part of the Shravana Nakshatra,
i.e. it extends from 276° 40’ to 280° 53 1/3’ of the zodiac. The division of Nakshatras is
based on the Moon, which makes a complete cycle in the zodiac within one month. The
Moon spends approximately one day in each Nakshatra. Every Nakshatra may be further
divided into four quarters (Padas) 3° 20’ each. Thus the zodiac will have 108 Nakshatra
Padas, which are also called Navamshas (1/9th of a sign).

4.2. The Rasi Chakra

There other main method for the division of the zodiac is based on the Sun. The Sun
travels through the zodiac within one year, and during this he meets the Moon 12 times.
Thus there will be 12 months within one year. Therefore we could divide the zodiac into 12
Rasis or signs, in which the Sun will spend one month each. These signs will have an
extent of 30° .

4.3. The Divisional charts (Amsas or Vargas)

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The signs of the zodiac may be further divided into subparts. Maharishi Parashara and
other Jyotish authors have specifically mentioned the following subdivisions of the signs:
Hora (D-2), Drekkana (D-3), Caturthamsa (D-4), Panchamsa (D-5), Sashthamsa (D-6),
Saptamsa (D-7), Ashtamsa (D-8), Navamsa (D-9), Dasamsa (D-10), Rudramsa (D-11),
Dwadasamsa (D-12), Shodasamsa (D-16) Vimsamsa (D-20), Siddhamsa (D-24),
Nakshatramsa (D-27), Trimsamsa (D-30), Khavedamsa (D-40), Akshavedamsa (D-45),
Shashtyamsa (D-60), Ashtottaramsa (D-108), Dwadasamsa-Dwadasamsa (D-144) and
Nadiamsa (D-150). The most important divisional chart is however the Navamsha, as it is
based both on the division of the Sun and the Moon.

4.4. The Celestial Longitude (Sphuta)

The position of the planets in the zodiac is expressed through the celestial longitude, which
is counted from the beginning of Aries. Sometimes the degree of the planet within a sign is
indicated, or also its position in the Nakshatra Padas and the divisional charts.

ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATIONS IN JYOTISH

4.1. The Time of Birth

Astrology is the science that examines the quality of time, while astrology is the science
that calculates the quantity of passing time. For purposes of an astrological reading we
utilize certain tools of astronomy, with the help of which we are able to calculate the
position of planets and other significant points of the chart at the time of birth, etc.

After all, in Jyotish we are always interested in the position of the planetst at the time of a
certain event. This is true for all branches of Jyotish. In natal astrology (Jataka) we are
interested where the planets were transiting at the time of the native’s birth, as this is the
most determinant time point in his life. In horary astrology (Prashna) we are interested in
the transit of the planets at the time of the native’s putting his question to the astrologer.
In Dasa analysis we are interested in the transit of planets at the time of dasa-pravesa
(setting in of a period). In Tajaka astrology we are interested in the transit fo the planets at
the time of the native’s birth day. In Gochara (transit analysis) we are interested in the
transit of the planets at the time of a certain event. This is also the point of interest in
electional astrology (Muhurtha).

Therefore the astrologer should be able to ascertain the position of the planets within the
zodiac at a certain given point in time. Let’s take as an example the time of birth for
Rabindranath Tagore (May 7, 1861, 4.02 am LMT, Kolkata). The exact time of birth is
usually taken as the time when the umbilical chord is cut, although there are some other
opinions as well, but at this time the body of the child is completely separated from the
body of the mother.

4.2. Local and Zonal Time

Time is a phenomenon which is inseparable from space. Therefore besides ascertaining the
time of birth, we also need to know its location, because at the same point in time (if it is
independent of location, it is called Universal Time) the planets and the ascendant are
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situated differently above different parts of the globe, although their mutual disposition is
the same.

Local time is calculated according to the movements of the Sun. The Sun needs exactly
one day to make a circle around the globe of the earth (at least apparently, if we look at it
from the point of view of the earth), and this means that there will be a certain point in
time every day when the Sun will exactly cross the longitudinal meridian of a certain
nativity. This time is called local noon. The time interval between two points of local noon
is exactly one day, which is divided into 60 ghatikas in Jyotish. One ghatika thus equals 24
minutes of the western calendar. So astronomically tha time of an event may be identified
by saying how much time have passed since local noon at that meridian. Since the Earth is
divided into 360 longitudinal meridians, the Sun traverses over one degree within 1/6th of a
ghatika, which is four minutes. Therefore local times at different longitudes are different by
four minutes each.

Tagore was born in Kolkata, which is at 88 degrees 22 minutes of arc to the east of
Greenwich. Let’s say if we take a city which lies at 80 degrees 22 min east, local noon will
occur 8*4=32 minutes later than in Kolkata, because the Sun travels from east to west.
This measurement of time, although very exact astronomically, may create problems when
more distant places develop communication with each other. Thus with the setting in of
the telecommunication era, in the beginning of the XX. cetury it was decided that the
countries of the world would be divided into time zones, within which the time would be
identical. This means that most of the smaller countries are situated within one time zone,
and therefore the zonal time is identical in the whole country.

The zonal time is actually the local time of a certain meridian within the zone, which is
extended to the whole of it. For example in the whole of England, and part of Western
Europe the zonal time is identical with the local time in Greenwich, which is assigned to be
at the zero degree longitudinal meridian. The local time at 15° east from Greenwich is 1 hrs
more than there, because the Sun crosses that place earlier. So in modern times the
watches usually go by the zonal time, and therefore we also need to know the time zone of
the nativity, plus in some countries one or two hours are added as summer time. After
ascertaining which point in local time (or universal time) corresponds to the reported birth
time, we may proceed to the calculation of the position of the planets. Local time is
usually indicated as LMT (Local Mean Time). Other time zones also have their
abbreviations, like GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), CET (Central European Time), IST (Indian
Standard Time) etc.

4.3. Divisions of Time

An interesting question is how did the ancients measure the passing of time? As we have
stated, the relationship between time and space is inseparable, therefore they have
measured it with the help of the motion of the planets, especially the Sun. There are still
several Sun-dials existing in different parts of India, exact up to the second. This method
however is limited to the time when the Sun is up and visible in the skies. Undoubtedly,
many people are born during the night, so we also need to have a way to measure time
when the Sun is not visible. This is where the word "ghati" comes from. It means an
earthen pot of a certain size with a spout of a certain diameter. When the pot was filled
with water, it took exactly 24 minutes for the water to flow out of it. One ghati is also
divided into 60 vighatis, and one vighati into 60 palas.
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4.4. Determining Planetary Positions

After finding out the time and place, the next task is to detemine the position of the
planets. Ths can be done in several ways:

By applying certain astronomical equations.

By making astronomical observations.

By using an ephemeris (Panchanga) with precalculated planetary positions.

It is said that in the Rig Veda one can find certain mantras, which translate into
astronomical equations, with the help of which, the planetary positions for any moment in
time may be calculated. However these rules are quite obscure nowadays.

Astronomical observations are made regularly in different parts of the globe, and those
informations serve as a basis for calculating the ephemeris positions for the planets. These
tables of ephemeris are available both in India and the West. If it is a western astrology
ephemeris, you need to know the exact ayanamsha value, with which the tropical zodiac is
shifted from the sidereal one.

The ephemeris usually gives the exact positions of the planets for certain points of time
(daily, weekly, monthly etc.) which means that in the majority of the cases we need to
know how far is the point of birth from the closest time indicated in the ephemeris, and
after calculating the difference, we should also calculate how much do the different planets
move within this time.

All of the above methods are combined in the different Jyotish software available, which
usually give exact planetary position for any specified time. Therefore nowadays this is the
most popular tool used for astronomical calculations.

4.5. Movements of the planets

Vedic astrology deals with seven grahas, i.e. Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus,
Saturn. Besides that the lunar nodes, i.e. Rahu and Ketu also ocuppy an important role.
They are called shadowy planets, or chaya-grahas. The trans-Saturnian planets are not
taken into consideration when erecting a Vedic chart. This is not because the ancients
were unfamiliar with the rest of the planets, but rather because these seven visible planets
and the lunar nodes represent the whole spectrum of energies, similarly to the seven
colors of the rainbow, plus ultraviolet and infrared, which would represent all the colors of
the spectrum. Therefore adding new heavenly bodies will not enhance the system of
predictions extrapolated by the ancient Maharishis. However in Jyotish another set of
planets appears, which is called upagrahas. These secondary planets will be explained in a
later issue.

The planets move within the belt of the zodiac with a different average of speed. The two
luminaries, i.e. the Sun and the Moon have steady and direct motion, which means from
Aries to Taurus to Gemini, etc. Therefore when any planets move in the opposite direction
to the luminaries, that motion is called vakra, or retrograde. The luminaries move with the
same angular speed at all times. For the Sun it takes one year to complete a circle, while
for the Moon it’s one month. As the Lagna (ascendant, which actually signifies the Earth)
completes one circle of the zodiac within one day, these three will from the tripod of life
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(Lagna-body; Moon-mind; Sun-soul) and determine by their movements the three basic
units of time (a day, a month and a year)

On the other hand, the lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu always move in retrograde direction, also with a
regular angular speed. The nodes need 18 2/3 years to complete one circle of the zodiac and they
stay one and a half year in every sign. The luminaries are said to be the two eyes of Lord Vishnu with
which He maintains and oversees His creation, always upholding dharma and leading people on the
path of righteousness. The nodes, however are the separated body and head of a demon called Rahu,
who rebelled against dharma. Thus the nodes will represent karmic reactions which are the result of
not following dharma and performing sinful activities. Therefore they are always against progress,
although Ketu may be considered a benefic towards dharma, because after all the role of karma is
also to teach us where we went wrong, thus encouraging detachment from sinful life.

The rest of the planets, i.e. Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn most of the time move in the
direct way, but at times they fall into a retrograde cycle. Their movement is not regular, which
means that at different angular distances from the Moon they move at a different speed. This
resembles human beings, who most of the time try to follow dharma, although their endeavour is not
steady, but at times they fall under the influence of adharma, and thus they perform sinful activities
and block their own advancements. Thus while the luminaries represent deva-gana or godly beings,
Rahu and Ketu represent rakshasa-gana or demons, the rest of the planets will represent manushya-
gana or human beings.

Mercury and Venus are inner planets, i.e. they revolve around the Sun and pass between the Sun and
Earth. Thus they revolve around the zodiac in the company of the Sun, and therefore the greatest
angular distance of Mercury from the Sun is 27° , while for Venus the same is 47° .

The following table represents the average daily angular motion of the planets, the
approximate time they spend in one sign and the approximate time they need to complete
a full circle in the zodiac. The symbols in the brackets indicate the direction of their
movement.

Planet Av. Daily Time spent in a Duration of a cycle

Motion sign

Sun (D) 0° 59’ 1 month 1 year

Moon (D) 13° 10’ 2 1/4 days 1 month

Mars (↔ ) 0° 31’ 1 1/2 months 18 months

Mercury (↔ ) 4° 5’ 27 days 1 year

Jupiter (↔ ) 0° 5’ 1 year 12 years

Venus (↔ ) 1° 36’ 28 days 1 year

Saturn (↔ ) 0° 2’ 2 1/2 years 29 years

Rahu (R) 0° 3’ 1 1/2 years 18 2/3 years

Ketu (R) 0° 3’ 1 1/2 years 18 2/3 years

4.6. Retrograde planets

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As we have said, retrograde motion indicates the destructive and obstructive forces of
karma. Therefore, if any planets are retrograde in the chart, we may expect that a strong
desire is connected to that planet. The planet’s power increases when it is retrograde or
stationary (state of planet just before and after retrogression), but the results get delayed,
become disturbed. After ascertaining what role does the given planet play in the chart, we
may understand that the native has some unresolved problems or unfulfilled duties in that
area, coming from previous life. Every planet gets retrograde when it is at a certain degree
from the Sun. Before retrogression occurs, the planet gets stationary for a certain period of
time. At this time the planet gives a very strong and steady effect. The same thing occurs
when the planet ends its retrograde cycle. The following table shows the degrees and
durations of retrograde and stationary motions:

Angular Distance from Sun

Mars 228° 132° 3 80

Mercury 14-20° 17-20° 1 24

Jupiter 245° 115° 5 120

Venus 29° 26° 2 42

Saturn 251° 109° 5 140

4.7. Combustion

Combustion occurs when the planets get too close to the Sun. The Sun is the strongest
planet and its rays burn up the rays of the other planets. However the lunar nodes do not
get combust, but rather they will eclipse the Sun and the Moon if they get closer than 5° to
the luminaries. If at the same time the Sun and the Moon are conjunct or in opposition (i.e.
at the time of new Moon or full Moon), then the nodes eclipse both the luminaries. At the
time of new moon even a visible solar eclipse could occur, as well as at the time of full
moon a visible lunar eclipse. Birth during eclipses is considered to be inauspicious, and
proper remedial measures should be undertaken. At the same time, when the Moon gets
closer than 12° to the Sun, especially on the last day of decreasing Moon, krishna-
caturdasi, it also becomes very inauspicious, and remedial measures should be performed.

The rest of the planets become combust when they get closer to the Sun than a certain
orb. When they are exactly conjunct with the Sun, then the Sun completely burns up their
rays, and thus they are unable to function. In this case the areas lorded and influenced by
the combust planet become inactive. Thye will bear very meager results, and the native
will experience strong oppression from some superior force in certain areas of his life. The
degree of combustion depends on the proximity of the combust planet. However we should
note that the planets will get combust only when they approach the Sun during direct
motion, because in this case they pass behind the Sun, while during retrograde motion
they pass in front of the Sun. Thus the phenomenon of combustion does not occur, rather
the planet gains more strength from the Sun. The only exception is Venus, which revolves
in the opposite direction, thus it will get combust while retrograde, and will not get so while
direct.

The degrees of combustion for the different planets are the following:
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Planet Degree of combustion

Mars 17°

Mercury 13°

Jupiter 11°

Retr. Venus 8°

Saturn 15°

4.8. Planetary war

Planetary war (graha yuddha) occurs when two planets come closer than one degree to
each other in longitude. We should note that only the five above mentioned planets may
get into a graha yuddha. The Sun will burn off any planets getting close to him. The Moon
is very friendly, so she will avoid fight. The nodes are so subtle that they cannot be caught.
However, they tend to eclipse and thus negatively influence any planet with which they
get into close conjunction.

Of the two planets, the following will win the war:

One which passes to the north of the other (which has higher latitude),

One which has a more favourable appearance, brightness and steadiness,

One which has bigger size,

One which is direct and more distant from the Sun,

One which has more strength from other sources.

The effect of planetary war is significantly different from that of combustion. While
during combustion the Sun suppresses the influence of the combust planet, at the
time of planetary war, the winning planet takes over the influences of the loser. This
is like in a war the winner takes over the land, people, treasures, animals etc. of the
loser and exercises control over them. So the winner will act as the lord of the
houses lorded by the loser, and occupy its natural karakat was also.∗