Charak - Elements of Vedic Astrology (2 Volume Set)

Elementsof

VEDIC

ASTROLOGY

VOLUMES

1& 2

Dr. K S Charak

M.S. (SURGERY)

F.R.C.S. (U.K.)

UMA

Publications

Elements ofVedic Astrology

Volume 1 &2

Dr. K.S. Charak

All rightsreserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in anyform whatsoever.

First Edition: June 1995

SecondEdition: September 1996

Third Edition:September 1998

Reprint: June2001

FourthEdition: July 2006

Reprint:January 2010

ISBN 81-901008-0-7 (Set)

Published by:

UMAPublications

72 GaganVihar, Delhi-110051, India

Phone:91-11-2254 3563

E-mail:

Dedicated

to the memory of my brother

BishanS. Charak

whom I lost to the USA

Preface to the FourthEdition

The Elementsof Vedic Astrology has been acclaimed as the most systematic,comprehensive and compact work on the Parashari system of astrology. For thepast over one decade, its supremacy has remained unchallenged. It remains astandard book for those seeking initiation into Vedic astrology while, for themore advanced and the researcher in astrology, it serves as a reference book.This work has verily been appreciated by the student and the teacher ofastrology alike. It retains a stature against which all other similar works onVedic astrology are judged.

The present edition has been completely revised andenlarged. A whole new chapter on the Sudarshana Chakra of Parashara has beenadded at the end. The Sudarshana Chakra method of analysis is supposed toprovide a highly accurate assessment of a chart. It is hoped that the inclusionof this chapter in the present edition will enable the serious student of Vedicastrology to markedly enhance his predictive ability.

DR. K.S. CHARAK

August 1, 2006

72 Gagan Vihar

Delhi - 110051(India)

Preface to the First Edition

Teaching astrology to highly educated and elite classes ofstudents in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, has imposed great demands onthe teaching faculty here to maintain and upgrade their quality of teaching. Adirect consequence of this has been the production of several high standardbooks by the faculty members. Stress has been placed on illustrating thevarious astrological principles and techniques by suitable examples. Thescientific basis of astrology has been proved repeatedly by illustrating theprinciples which give replicable results.

Study of Vedic astrology demands an elementary knowledge ofastronomy and some basic techniques concerned with the preparation ofhoroscopic charts. Understanding the static promise in a horoscope, and thedynamic aspect of timing the fruition of such promise, are areas which demanddeeper study. Vedic astrology has at its disposal innumerable techniques whichcan be employed for virtually infallible results. Not all techniques are to beused by every practitioner of Vedic astrology on all horoscopes. But aknowledge of most of these is desirable. Eventually, each astrologer developshis standard technique which suits him the best.

Elements of Vedic Astrology is directed towardsproviding the basic principles of Vedic astrology. It highlights the scientificbasis of astrology. The initial few chapters are directed towards clarifyingthe fundamental principles of astrology. The basic concepts of astronomy as arerelevant to a study of astrology are described clearly. An example of thehighly evolved ancient Indian method of teaching has been taken from acelebrated scripture; it highlights the simple yet lucid style of impartingscientific-spiritual instruction to a disciple. Some important areas of astrologyconcerned with the characteristics of rashis, houses and planets, the nature ofplanets, and the significations of houses and planets, have all been describedin great details. Two chapters have been devoted to the techniques of casting ahoroscopic chart. It may be pertinent to point out here that an understandingof the manual method of casting of a horoscope has vast advantages and must bemastered fully. Reliance may later be placed on computerised calculations if sodesired.

Subtle areas of astrology, like the planetary states(Avasthas) and the sub-planets, have been discussed briefly and areas forfurther research indicated. The use of vargas, or subtle divisions, has beenexplained. The Vimshottari dasha system has been dealt with in details while theYogini dasha has been described briefly in order to provide an additionalconfirmatory tool. A vast amount of information gathered from standardclassical texts of astrology in respect of the placement of planets indifferent houses or rashis, and the various planetary influences on them, hasbeen provided.

The stature of a horoscope is reflected in the presence orabsence of the all-important planetary yogas in a horoscope. These must berecognised at the outset, and their quality judged, in order to assess thepotential inherent in a chart. Three full chapters have been devoted to thisaspect along with illustrative examples.

Determination of longevity is a tricky area in astrology.Some standard methods of calculating the span of life along with their pitfallshave been described.

Specialised predictive areas of Vedic astrology have beentouched briefly in order to acquaint the reader of such additional predictivetools. These include medical astrology, horary astrology, transits, annualcharts and Ashtakavarga. One chapter has been devoted to the Muhurta orelectional aspect of astrology. Greater understanding of these areasnecessitates further study, an aspect which has been hinted at appropriately.

The book deals solely with the Parashari system which is themost prevalent system of Vedic astrology. No attempt has been made totransgress into the other parallel system known as the Jaimini system which isless in vogue, is less well understood, and needs a lot of research beforebeing universally applicable.

The work is primarily meant for those who want to learnastrology from the very beginning, and pursue it seriously in a scientificmanner. It will serve as a stepping stone for those who want to eventually gointo specialised branches of astrology. It is also aimed to help those whointend to indulge in astrological research in hitherto unexplored areas likethe vargas, the sub-planets, or the planetary states, etc.

My efforts will be more than rewarded if this workfulfils its intended aims.

DR. K.S. CHARAK

May 25, 1995

72 Gagan Vihar

Delhi - 110051(India)

Contents

Aum! May He protect us both (the teacher and thedisciple) together. May He sustain us both together. May we attain vigourtogether. May the learning of us both be resplendent. May we harbour no mutualill will.

Aum! Peace! Peace! Peace

Kathopanishad

Astrology is as old as the Vedasthemselves. The Vedas, which are the sacred Hindu scriptures, embody eternalknowledge. Strict moral and spiritual practices along with a deep study are theprerequisites to understand the essence of the Vedas. To the uninitiated, theVedas might appear as nothing more than ritualistic oblations to air, water andthunder, etc. Deep truths, however, begin to unfold to the true seeker as hissearch goes on.

In times of yore, sincere seekers of truth and knowledge inIndia used to spend years and years at the feet of their gurus, learning themeanings hidden in the Vedas.

In order to decipher what lies concealed in the Vedas, astudy of certain subjects is considered a prerequisite. These subjects arecalled the Vedangas or the body organs of the Vedas. There are six suchVedangas. They are: