Showing posts with label nirukta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nirukta. Show all posts

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Classification of Astrology


The Vedas which are the sacred Hindu scriptures, containing eternal knowledge. Astrology is as a branch of Vedas known as Vedanga with the help of which it is possible to know about all the past and future event. There are total 6 vedangs
1.Shiksha : This branch deals in study of technique of correct pronunciation of words
2.Chhanda : Deals in rhythm,pasue,stress feature of utterance of the Vedic 'Suktas'.
3.Vyakarana : Deals in grammatical aspects of the language.
4.Nirukta : Which explains the difficult words, 'padas' and 'mantras'.
5.Kalpa : Deals ritualistic aspects of the Vedas.
6.Jyotisha : It is one of the most important of the Vedangas.

Astrology is further subdivided into 3 parts-Siddhantas,Samhita,Hora.
Siddhantas deals in astrolonomical aspect of astrology. The great astrologer Varahmihir considers the following 5 in his book “Pancha Sidhantika”
(a) Surya Siddhanta
(b) Paulisha Siddhanta
(c) Romaka Siddhanta
(d) Vasishtha Siddhanta
(e) Paitamaha Siddhanta
Samhita deals in world event as well as meteorological predictions. The annual world predictions which are generally based either on Hindu New Year commencing on the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, or on the solar Ingress into Mesha, fall under the Samhita astrology.
Hora deals in human horoscopy.It is related to individual. Electional astrology which is also called muhurat comes under this category.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

The Super 14 knowledge



In our classics there is a mention of 14 kinds of vidya(knowledge) to be taught in Gurukul(the modern day school). During those days a student has to be master in all the fourteen subjects to complete his education. Thos fourteen

1) The Rig Veda
2) The Yajur Veda
3) The Saam Veda
4) The Atharva Veda
5) Nyay  Shaastra-rules related to justice are taught
6) Puraanas-stories and legends of Gods and goddesses
7) Mimaansa (vedants)
8) Dharam Shaastra-teachings of relegion.
9 )Shiksha- the science of phonetics.
10) Kalpa-deals with rituals.
11) Vyakran-study of grammar.
12) Nirukta-knowledge of languages
13) Chanda-study of sanskrit poetry
14) Jyotish- the science of astronomy.