People are classified as Astikas and Nastikas. An Astika has faith in the existence of God, Dharma,
reincarnation, and in the Vedas. One who is devoid of such faith is classified a Nastika.
A Nastika cannot be easily taught. Even a man who is completely ignorant can be taught. One who is
bestowed with good intellect can be taught with greater ease. But a man with half-baked knowledge cannot
be taught. A Nastika falls into the last category.
De%e: megKeceejeO³e: megKelejceejeO³eles efJeMes<e%e:~
%eeveueJeogefJe&oieOeb ye´ïeeefHe leb vejb ve j_pe³eefle~~
We belong to the category of Astikas since time immemorial. The Shruti (Veda) says –
HegC³ees n Jew HegC³e:
keÀce&Cee YeJeefle HeeHe: HeeHesve~
– one attains joy by performing Punya and falls by sinning. It is our Dharma
Shastras that decide what constitutes Punyam and what constitutes Papam.
In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana tried to cause trouble to the Pandavas even after sending them to exile.
But he himself was caught in trouble as he was captured by Gandharvas. At this juncture, Yudhishthira sent
Arjuna and Bhima to help Duryodhana. Though his brothers were reluctant, Yudhishthira persuaded them
to help their cousin, Duryodhana inspite of what he had done to them. It is natural to help those who have
helped others, however the tendency to help even those who have caused us harm is the quality of a
Mahatma. Mahatmas such as Yudhishthira are our ideal.
Mahatmas would be ready to sacrifice anything for Dharma, but never sacrifice Dharma. Sri Adi Shankara
Bhagavatpada in His Bhashya writes thus about a Mahatma –
³ees efn Fäeefoue#eCeb keÀce& Dee®ejefle, lecee®e#eles ueeskeÀe: Oece¥
®ejl³e³eb cenelcee
– People call him who adheres to the path of Dharma as a Mahatma.
It is not sufficient to say our ancestors were such people. While they lived such dharmic lives and fulfilled
their life's purpose, it is our duty to reflect if we are following in their footsteps, rather than merely take pride
in our lineage.
Inside
9
... Astrology
Weather Forecasting
3
Venus Transits the
Sun
7
5
Jyotisha Chinta Nidhi
Sanskrit
through
Ramayana
27
&
&
&
&
&
Cover StoryThe Mayan
Apocalypse
17
Fifth House
Progeny and
Creativity
Panchanga for the Month
29
Nakshatra
Paddathi
21
Partial
Lunar
Eclipse
25
www.astrologicalmagazine.com
Contents
Chief Editor and Publisher
Bangalore Niranjan Babu
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HeÀueeefve ûen®eejsCe met®e³eefvle ceveeref<eCe: ~
keÀes JeÊeÀe leejlec³em³e leceskeÀb JesOemeb efJevee ~~
Those who know Astrology can only indicate in a way what will take place in future. Who else, except the Creator Brahma, can say with certainty what will definitely happen ?
DR. B. V. RAMAN
... Astrology & Weather Forecasting 3
YAJNAVALKYA
Jyothisha Chinta Nidhi 5
Benedictory Message for “Sanskrit Through Ramayana” Series 7
T. K. NITHYANANDAN
Family Astrologer Tradition 8
PROF. V. S. KALYANRAMAN
Venus Transits the SUN 9
DR. VAMSHI KRISHNA GHANAPATHI
Sanskrit through Ramayana 15
JAYASREE SARANATHAN
The Mayan Apocalypse A Vedic View 17
C.A. PADMANABHAN
Nakshatra Paddathi 21
BHARADWAAJA
Partial Lunar Eclipse 4th June 2012 25
SURANJANA BISWAS
Fifth House Progeny and Creativity 27
The Astrological eMagazine Panchanga for June 2012 29
VARAHAMIHIRA
This Month for You June 2012 32
Sunrise and Sunset Timings for June 2012 38 Timings for Rahukala, Gulikakala and Yamakantaka 39
Lead Article
DR. B. V. RAMAN
&
W
HEN YOU NOTE WINDS blowing from the north-east in the evening (Sandhya) of the Full Moon day of Ashadha (July-August) month, then there will be downpour and consequent luxuriant vegetable life during the ensuing year. When it rains on the 4th lunar day of the dark half of Ashadha and on the day ruled by Poorvabhadra in the same month, there will be luxuriant vegetation during the year ahead. When the 5th lunar day of the bright half of the lunar month falls on a Sunday (in Ashadha), there will be a little rain. If it is on a Monday, there will be a down pour. If it is a Tuesday rains will be fierce ; Wednesday would bring in a storm ; Thursday— general prosperity ; Friday —ruin and loss; Saturday— there will be misery everywhere. If the constellation of Rohini coincides with the 10th lunar day (in the month of Ashadha) there will be terrible rains.Sun occupies 21/
4 nakshatras every month beginning from Aswini, making up 12 months from Mesha. He occupies Poorvashadha in the month of Dhanus and stays there for 13 days and 20 ghatikas (13 degrees and 20 minutes). If during the 1st day, all the sky including the Sun is found to be completely covered by dark clouds, there will be rain during the month of Mithuna when the Sun occupies Ardra. Similarly, if during the 2nd day all the heavens are found to be dark by clouds, there will be rain during the latter part of Mithuna and the first part of Kataka, when the Sun will occupy the asterism of Punarvasu. Similarly in the 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day and so on till the 14th day, if the same conditions prevail, there will be rains during the succeeding months when the Sun will be in Pushyami, Aslesha, Makha, Pubba, till Moola in regular succession. The above information is useful in giving long-range forecasts which appear to have been a specialty with our ancient meteorologists. If the heavens are clear, then there will be no rains.
Rains can be expected in the following periods:— (a) When the combustion period of the various planets
begin and end. (b) When Moon conjoins with other planets,
... Astrology
Weather Forecasting
(c) Full Moon and New Moon days, (d) When the Sun
transits Cancer and Capricon signs. (e) When the Sun occupies the Aridra nakshatra. (f) When Mercury conjoins with Jupiter or Venus or when Jupiter joins with Venus there will be rain. When Mars and Saturn join together without any aspect or association of good planets, then danger from fire, lightning and storm can be expected. We are also enabled to determine the very day of the occurrence of rain from a knowledge of the nature of the clouds during the day. When clouds surrounded by a radiance resembling that of the Moon, white as nectar, with a blue-black spot in the centre, and pouring layers of water pass from West to East or East to West, we can predict that there will be a very heavy shower before long.
If in the rainy season, the sunrise is observed to have a ‘halo’ in the East, and the Noon— (midday) is marked by the intense heat of the Sun’s rays, we can make sure that there will be rain that day. Apart from atmospheric factors, the ancient meteorologists took note of the behaviour of certain animals as indicating immediate rainfall such as...
Cows hasten home to meet their calves. Cats scratch the ground with their claws. Hills shine at a distance and seem to have a blue coloring. The disc of the Moon has a circular red line, the color being that of the eyes of the hen. Chameleons climb up trees and stare stupidly at the sky. Cows too seem to stare upwards. Cocks crow in the day looking up. Flashes of lightning are marked in the North East. The Moon is observed to have the color of honey or of the eyes of parrots or doves. The disc of the Moon though enveloped in clouds, seems to emanate a radiance—round in shape
Prathi Chandra (mock moon).
We are asked to predict that there will be rains immediately if the following are observed :—
Pearls of thunder crash in the night time, deep red flashes of lightning are observed during day time; cold winds blow
from the East; young sprouting leaves raise their heads high, birds freely bathe in water or in dust, serpents bark in the sunsine lying on grass; clouds assume the color of a peacock, parrot, wild crow, or chathaka bird and seem to have the shape of waves, hills, tortoise, pigs and fishes. A rising bundle of Sun’s rays shoot forth just like hills, clouds come closer to the earth, with thunder and lightning. Water becomes tasteless, the sky gets the color of the cow’s eyes—a glow in the 8 Diks—salt melts— the heavens get a glow just like that of crow’s eggs—winds come to a standstill—frogs croak, fishes spring up above water. Evidently, the ancient meteorologists were keen students of nature as they have taken into consideration every kind of phenomenon which indicates a change in the weather.
If the Lagna rising at the time of Aries ingress happens to be a watery sign and is aspected by watery planets there will be proper rains. If the Rasi is a fiery one and is associated or aspected by fiery planets, there will be no rain.
When Aries ingress happens to fall on Rohini, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Uttarashada, Abhijit, Sravana, Dhanishta, the year is known as ‘ Indra Mandala ‘. The year will be happy and prosperous. When the Sankramana falls on Bharani, Krithika, Pushyami, Makha, Pubba, Visakha and Poorvabhadra, the year is known as’Agni Mandala’. The effect will be, fear from fire, poverty everywhere, crops fail. Autumn crops are destroyed. When the ingress happens to be Aswini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Uttara, Hastha, Chitta, Swathi, then the year has ‘Vayu Mandala’. Fear from kings, storms and scarcity of rains, will be the result. When the ingress happens to be Aridra, Aslesha, Mula, Poorvashada, Satabhisha, Uttarabhadra and Revati then the year has ‘Varuna Mandala’. Good rains and general prosperity will ensue.
Apart from the astro-meteorological methods, horary astrology is also employed to predict rains, etc.
* If a watery planet occupies a non-watery Rasi there will be rain soon. If non-watery planet occupies a watery Rasi, there will be rain after some delay. Watery planet in a watery Rasi brings in regular rains. Non-watery planet in a non-watery Rasi brings in no rain. In the bright half of the (lunar) month, if benefics occupy 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 bhavas in watery signs or Moon stands in an aquatic sign, there will be rain.
If at the time of prasna, the 2nd or the third bhava happens to be a watery sign, then within 20 days the rains will be so heavy that floods will rise up in rivers. If the question
is made in the Varsha Ritu, the situation of Saturn in the 7th house from Sun or Moon, or in the 4th or 8th from ascendant, or in the 2nd or 3rd from ascendant, brings in copious rains. In Varsha Ritu, Moon in a watery sign and ascendant, or in Sukla Paksha, Moon in quadrant, bring in rain all on a sudden. If a benefic aspects the Moon, rains will be very heavy. If a malefic aspects the Moon, the rains will be very scarce. In the place of Moon, insert ‘Venus’ and predict the same results.
In a query regarding ‘ Floods’, Moon or Mercury, or Jupiter and Venus aspected by benefics and occupying 4, 7 and 10, brings in high floods. In the 4th floods result from springs and wells and in the 7th floods are to be seen in rivers and in the 10th floods are due to very heavy rains. Though the above mentioned signs and yogas indicate heavy rains, if the ascendant has the association or aspect or Navamsa or drekkana of Mercury, there will be no rains, being disturbed by winds.
If Mars, Mercury, Saturn or Rahu occupy quadrants, rains will be quickly dissipated by adverse storms and cyclones. If Udaya ascendant is an aquatic sign and Venus and Moon occupy the same or if Arudha aspected by Venus and Moon happens to be a watery sign, predict that there will be rains.
If Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Rahu occupy quadrants, there will be no rains being disturbed by adverse winds. If they are associated by benefics, there will be some rain. If Rahu and Saturn occupy watery signs, the rains will be enjoyable. If these are aspected by Moon and Venus, rains will be very heavy causing harm.
The above methods may look somewhat fantastic to us, educated as we are, according to Western methods, but having due regard for the wisdom of the sages, it would be well to test the truth of their statements. An appeal to facts, if conducted fairly and extended day by day over a sufficient length of time—for a casual observation now and again is not sufficient—is sure to convince the observer that certain planetary positions do actually accompany definite changes in the weather and that this occurs too frequently to dismiss as chance-coincidence. Modern astronomers and meteorologists would find it more useful and more instructive to watch for and study such coincidences than to confine their observations of conjunctions of Mars and Saturn to the delightful amusement of “ testing photometrically and also photographically the lustre of the conjoined planets”.
... Jyothisha
Chinta Nidhi
YAJNAVALKYA
p³eesefLe<e ef®evlee efveefOe
Continued from the May 2012 issue
C
OMING TO THE NITYAYOGAS, we have to take note of Vaidhruthi and Vyatipata. Liberally translated, Vydhruti may mean concealing or inescapable and Vyatipata falling from standards. As mentioned earlier, these are the two important of the nine forbidden Yogas eschewed for the conduct of auspicious functions.Vaidhruthi pervades from 346º 40’ to 360º and Vyatipata
from 213º 20’ to 226º 40’ of the sum of the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon. Vaidhruthi and Vyatipata
punyakaala are observed on the day when the yogas
prevail for 1½ hours or more, when Sraddhas are performed by the astute. These form part of the
shannavati - 96 - Sraddhas ordained for a householder.
Considering the astronomical implications, the Sayana
Vaidhruthi and Vyatipata days are also indicated in most
of the calendars. With added ayanamsa, for both the longitudes of the Sun and the Moon, the Sayana
Vaidhruthi and Vyatipata will occur, a couple of days
ahead of the Nirayana computations.
We have most of our religious observances pegged on to tithis. Chandradarisana, Chaturthivrata, Shastivrata,
Ekadasivrata, Harivasara, Pradosha and Pournamipooja are specially mentioned in most of our
panchangas. Chandradarisana is observed on the evening on the day when the crescent Moon appears for the first time in the west after the Amavasya. The months of the Islamic calendar begin only on the sunset times on that day. Chaturthivrata, every month, is observed on the day when the Sukla Chaturthi Tithi is prevalent. This is called Ganesha Chaturthi. By faith and custom, the seeing the Moon, still a crescent, is avoided on that day. It is on this day of the month of Bhadrapada, the annual event of Ganesha or Vinaayaka Chaturthi is celebrated all over the country. Apart from its religious importance, it is now celebrated as a National festival, thanks to the movement initiated by Lokamanya Balagangadhara Tilak. It gains special significance when it falls on a Sunday or Tuesday. Likewise, on Magha Sukla Chaturthi, called
Tila Chaturthi, Kunda or Varada Chaturthi, Ganesha Pooja is performed in Bengal.
The Chaturthi of the Krishnapaksha or Bahula
Chaturthi of every month is known as Sankataharachaturthi. After observing Vrata or fasting
for the full day, it is the practice to break it and take food only after observing the abhisheka for Ganapathi or seeing the Moon rising in the east. The purpose of this Vrata is to get rid of sankashtas or problems and difficulties. When such a day falls on a Tuesday, it is called Angaraka
Chaturthi. By convention, this Vrata is to commence
with the Sravana Krishna Chaturthi and continued to be observed every month, at least for one year. Some continue it for 21 years or even for life. Lord Siva is supposed to have observed this Vrata when he wanted to vanquish the demon Taaraka!
Shastivrata, dedicated to lord Subrahmanya is observed on
the sixth lunar day of the Shuklapaksha. Kartika Sukla Shasti is observed as Subrahmanya Shasti or Skanda Shasti when Soorasamhara is enacted and celebrated in Tamil Nadu in a grand scale especially at Palani and Tiruchendur.
Ekadasi is observed twice in every lunar month, one in
Krishnapaksha and the other in Shuklapaksha. Each
of the Ekadasi has a special name and different favourable results are attributed for observing the Vrata on such days. However, the Vrata is observed during the Harivasara timings. Harivasara starts with the last quarter of the Ekadasi and exists up to the end of the first quarter of Dwadasi. This period is furnished in moat of the panchangas, especially in Kerala. The name of the Ekadasi and the special results attributed for those observing the Vrata are also mentioned by some.
Pradosha is the time of 6 ghatikas or 2h. 24m., after the
sunset of a day. It has some other connotations as well. The first three hours of Chaturthi, 4½ hours of Saptami and 6 hours of Trayodasi go under the name. The most important ones are those of the evenings of Sukla and Krishna Trayodasi days that are specially observed as
Siva and Parvati in extremely propitious mood. When it happens on a Saturday, it is called Sanipradosha and if on Monday Somapradosha and both are special.
Pournamipooja is done in the evenings on days the full
Moon is prevalent.
The Amavasya day, Pitrudina is devoted to manes and offerings are made to them through Tarpana. Thirteen Amavasya days of the lunar year are included in the
shannavati -96- Sraddhas. A discussion of various other
special Tithis is deferred, as our present aim is to examine some of the special Yogas. These Yogas are numerous and only some select ones find a place in the daily guide. By permutation and combination, the Vara, Nakshatra and Tithi can generate too many groupings. We have Vara-Tara-Yogas with the combination of weekdays and Nakshatras. The Tithi-Vara Yogas are the combination of those with Tithi and weekdays. Tithi-Vara-Tara Yogas are those with the combinations of all the three. Let us try to examine them one by one.
The combination of specific Tithi on a specific weekday is called the Tithi-Vara yoga. Dwadasi on a Sunday, Ekadasi on Monday, Dasami on Wednesday, Navami on Thursday, Ashtami on Friday and Saptami on Saturday create
Krakachadosha. This can be spotted out easily. It will
be present when the sum of the Tithi and the weekday add up to 13. It must remembered that, in our panchangas, the reckoning a day by its name, is done from one sunrise to the next. Krakachadosha yoga is generally not recommended for auspicious events. Tithis Trayodasi, Chaturdasi, Pournami, Amavasya and Prathama to Panchami cannot create this Dosha. Krakacha means a saw and like it is capable of cutting the beneficial effects of the time selected.
As there are divergent views in the constitution of some of the Tithi Vara Yogas according to different authorities, we shall confine only to those, mostly accepted and discuss them hereafter. (to be continued)
D
R
. B. V. R
AMAN
Raman & Rajeshwari
Research Foundation, Regd.
Bangalore India
Announces
Announces
Announces
Announces
Announces
Birth Centenary Year
C e l e b r a t i o n s
on 5th August 2012
The significance of Sri Ramayana cannot be described in words. The impact of Sri Rama’s character has captivated the Indian psyche. The magnanimity of his virtues, perseverance to adhere to the principles of Dharma in the face of intense adversity; catapults the phenomenon of Sri Rama, into the supreme unique league.
However, Sage Valmiki has simply enlisted the benefits of Ramayana. This story
Decimates the sins of listeners/ readers, as it encourages and inspires them to adhere to the path of Dharma.
Sets the polity on the path of virtues and merit.
Increases their health and life span, to lead life of chastity and virtue coupled with prosperity.
Elevates them to the greatest plane of spirituality.
Thus, Ramayana parayana has become an integral part of Indian Society. It has branched out to many forms of humanity, such as an enactment of drama, literature, songs, ballet, simple prose, poetry, analysis and other forms of folk art.
In this electronic age, medium of internet has been crucial to spread the awareness about Ramayana. Hence, Ramayana’s 1st Chapter called Sankshepa (Shatashloki Ramayana) is presented in video form, attracting thousands of viewers across the globe. Its frequent viewership has even helped to lessen the impact of calamities. This great chapter is now presented in a series of articles in THE ASTROLOGICALEMAGAZINE for the benefit of its
readers.
Samskruta Bhasha
As we speak of Ramayana, it would be our inherent duty to mention the classic language deployed by the poet sage Valmiki.
What is so great in it?
The work is known as the first and foremost work in classic Sanskrit Literature. Thus, it retains its pre-eminence in literary pursuit.
Hence, it will be beneficial to start learning Sanskrit and the nuances of usage through Ramayana. The relevance of each word and its deployment are great source of inspiration, for and all. Let us look forward to learn the language and adopt the values espoused thru the medium to acquire umpteen chances of reform in life. Jaya Guru Datta!
Sanskrit through Ramayana
(Series by Dr. Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi begins on page ...)
Benedictory Message of Sadguru
Parama Pujya Avadhoota Datta Peethadhipati
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji
A
LMOST FIVE DECADEs back as a young boy I accompanied my uncle to a traditional vedic panditcum family astrologer for consultation on his nephews’
horoscopes. The astrologer after thoroughly scanning the horoscopes, put them on the table and disapprovingly nodded his head. My uncle was a bit worried but the astrologer hastened to reassure him nothing to worry about their longevity, but both will leave their mother land and settle down abroad. Those days going abroad was still considered to be a taboo and hence according to him it was not a good horoscope. But today’s modern astrologer considers going abroad is a great achievement and makes his client jump with joy. My uncle was in for another surprise when the astrologer said that one of them will marry outside the caste. He also suggested some
pariharam (appeasing the planets to overcome the
negative indications in the horoscope). I am not sure whether my uncle followed the astrologer’s advice but both his sons went abroad and one even married a foreigner.
The tradition of family astrologer was prevalent from time immemorial and as far as my memory goes it
continued till 1980s. Such family astrologers were not merely professional but an integral part of the larger families, sharing happy and not so happy moments with their clients and stood by them like a solid rock in times of need. Since they knew each family member’s horoscope so well , they were able to provide holistic advice considering various aspects before the family took major decisions. Since people those days had faith, both on astrology and the astrologer, his advices were respected. He was a kind of assurance to the family, especially when things did not go well. In other words, he was a friend in need. As reciprocation family astrologers also felt morally responsible to their clients since their words were taken seriously and acted upon. Thus there existed a healthy and respectful relationship on both sides. However, 1980s started seeing the drift from the family astrologer tradition, thanks to increase in literacy levels. Moreover, the employment opportunities started taking the younger generation to far away destinations from their
Family Astrologer
Tradition
joint family unit and this paved way for ‘nuclear family’ system. The younger generation started living away from even their parents after marriage, either on their own or due to vocational compulsions. Thus, what used to be daily meetings between the family members culminated into social gatherings, hardly any time was spent on discussing matters related to traditions, customs etc., and easily one could see the traditions losing its fabric. The worst aspect was that traditional practices were subject to mockery by other so called progressive minded members of the family and the practitioner was almost ridiculed. Thanks to exposure to other worldly developments, youngsters started questioning everything before acceptance and when they did not get convincing answers, such traditions were discarded without batting an eyelid. The main reason for this dichotomy was due to elders themselves moving away from the joint family system in their quest for greener pasture and along with this tradition also lost its course. Their moral authority to address queries from youngsters on customs, traditions suffered from conviction and this resulted in non-adherence to time tested practices. And one of the victims of this change was astrological practices.
I must mention here the role of electronic/print media which can not be totally ignored for its role in making Astrology an ordinary TRP/readership tool in their hands. Beginning from yearly, monthly and daily predictions, giving generic forecastes became a fashion. In the fast food era, this captured the imagination of the youth for its speed of delivery and they totally ignored the traditional astrologers. While some of them continue to provide consultation to members of one family, we could never consider them any way closer to the traditional family astrologer who advised larger family units comprising of many members. On the other hand the new trend left knowledgeable and experienced astrologers frustrated and the traditional family astrologer started disappearing over a period of time.
For the benefit of community at large, let us seek the blessings of the higher energies for the resurgence of family astrologer tradition soon.
T. K. NITHYANANDAN
Mr. Nithyanandan is a qualified Chartered Accountant having held senior positions in various organisations and is currently associated with a globally reputed company in Bangalore. A true believer in tradition and culture, his study of astrology began in the mid 1970s. Provides astrological services too. His son is currently doing his Ph.D and lives in USA with his wife.
(This special article is dividied into three parts – The event, the
astrological significance and the astronomical aspect. Every
student of astrology and astronomy will greatly benefit by going
through this very well designed, content rich article by a vedic
scholar par excellence.– Editor, The AeM)
Part A
A
S A SECOND RARE EVENT of this century we will be
witnessing a “Transit of Venus across the disc of the Sun”
on June 6, 2012. Some of our readers may remember the
one such transit occurred on the 8th of June 2004. That was a most
interesting celestial event that was eagerly awaited then, after a lapse
of 121 years, when almost one generation who died before that date
was denied the opportunity to witness such a rare celestial sight.
On the 8th June 2004 we, in India, could see the planet Venus moving
across the face of the Sun for nearly six hours.
Venus Transits the
S
U
N
PROF. V. S. KALYANRAMAN
V S Kalyanraman, a mathematician and amateur astronomer by training, a bureaucrat by profession and a student of astrology by passion, had his traditional training in astrology in his teens, under a couple of illustrious masters in Kerala and took a vow not to turn a professional astrologer. A journalist from his student days he commenced his career as a teacher and ended it as a senior officer of the Government of India. Turning his attention to serious studies, from story writing, in the fifties, to Saiva Siddhanta, Philosophy,
Psychology, Vedic Mathematics, Bharateeya Ganitha Sastra, Jyothisha (astronomy), the various astrological systems, Vastu Sastra, Vedic Numerology and allied disciplines, under various masters of repute, he was actively associated in astrological journalism, over decades and more intensively after his retirement for over two decades, under the guise of various pseudonyms and has been the recipient of many awards. He, as a senior contributor is with THE
ASTROLOGICALEMAGAZINE, since its
inception. He is not available for any private consultations.
2004 transit as seen from Bangalore at 07:41 UTC, about two hours into the transit. The image is inverted compared to the diagram, so Venus is seen near the top of the Sun’s disc
A similar event will happen this year on the 6th June 2012. Here is
a warning. No one must try to see the Sun with naked eyes. No
optical aid, telescope or binoculars, as we usually watch the night
sky, must be used to observe this phenomenon. Even filters will not
be safe. Any such attempt can damage the eyes and cause permanent
blindness. The safe method will be to project the image of the Sun
on a white screen and observe the event on the screen.
What Is this All About?
After-all what is this “Transit of Venus across the disc of the Sun”?
The orbits of the planets Mercury and Venus lie inside the orbit of
the Earth, around the Sun. Therefore only these two planets can
pass between the Earth and the Sun and trigger such transits.
Mercury and Venus are far away from the earth, towards the Sun. Therefore during such transits, they will be seen as small black dots, slowly moving across the bright face of the Sun. On the 6th June 2012 Venus can be seen as a black dot moving across the disc of the Sun. Those who could witness such a similar celestial drama in 2004, if are lucky to live to see the next one on the 6th June 2012, will be most fortunate, for having seen two such transits during their lifetime, as the facility of seeing even one is denied to almost many.
Pattern of Occurrence
These transits of Venus occur in pairs with eight years separating two such events. The pairs recur at intervals of 121.5 and 105.5 years. In other words, these transits of Venus have a curious 243 year repeating pattern. Two transits occur in December, around the 8th, in an eight years gap. Then, there is a wait of 121½ years for the next pair to occur. Then, another two transits occur in June, around the 7th, in another eight year gap. The next one will occur only after 105½ years. This pattern repeats. In any pair, the first transit of Venus will be followed by a second one, eight years later. This is because the orbital period of 224.701 days of Venus and of 365.256 days of the Earth, are in an eight year or 2922 days resonance with each other. In other words, during the period the Earth goes round the Sun, eight times, Venus completes almost exactly thirteen such revolutions around the Sun. As a result, Venus and Earth line up in the same positions with respect to the Sun once in eight years. These two orbital periods of the earth and Venus are not quite matching with each other, always. After the first eight year gap, Venus will arrive at starting point in the next eight year rendezvous, about 22 hours earlier than the Earth. That is why no transit occurs in the second eight-year tryst, as Venus arrives too early for a transit to occur. The next transit season occurs either 105.5 years or 121.5 years later at the opposite node of the orbit of Venus. An example of this pattern can be seen in the transit pairs of 1631- 1639; 1761-1769; 1874-1882, 2004 and now in 2012.
History of Observation
Since the invention of the telescope only six such events of transits of Venus that occurred in the years 1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874, 1882 and 2004 have so far been recorded.
The ensuing transit of Venus, across the disc of the Sun, due to occur next on the 6th June 2012 is the next one of the pair, of 2004-2012. It can be remembered that the earlier one of the present pair occurred on the 8th June, 2004.
The Process and Progress of the Transit
Such transits have four stages.
1. First is the instant when the outer rim of the planet touches that of the Sun.
2. The second stage is when the entire disc of the Venus gets inside the disc of the Sun. After this, during the next several hours, Venus gradually will traverse the solar disc, at a speed of about 4-arc-min/hr.
Dont Watch the transit with naked eyes. It can damage your eyes and even
cause permanent blindness.
These planetary passages, in front of the Sun, can also be considered as a peculiar kind of eclipses of the Sun. Eclipses of the Sun happen when actually the Moon moves in front of the Sun and blocks its light. Then, because of the nearness of the Moon to us, on the earth, the Moon can cover either fully or even partially the disc of the Sun, for the observers on the earth. However, in the case of Venus and Mercury, they can obstruct only a tiny portion of the big disc of the luminous Sun, because they are very far away from the earth, unlike the Moon, which comparatively is too near to us.
Such transits of these two planets are rarer than the usual eclipses of the Sun that we see quite often, caused by the Moon. This is because such transits can happen only if the planets are in inferior conjunction with the Sun and also cross the ecliptic at that moment of time.
More Details
The planet Mercury goes round the Sun more quickly because its orbit is nearer to the Sun than Venus. Such transits of Mercury therefore happen more frequently. They happen about 13 or 14 times in each century. These transits of Mercury can happen in the months of May or November. The last three transits of Mercury across the disc of the Sun occurred in 1999, 2003 and 2006. However, the transit of 2006 could be witnessed only for a few minutes and that too in some places of the North Eastern parts of India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands because it was night time in India. The next transit of Mercury will occur only on the 9th May 2016.
The transits of Venus are much rarer because its orbit is considerably larger than that of Mercury. These transits of Venus are possible only during the early December and early June. Only then the orbital nodes Venus pass across the Sun and when the planet will be on an inferior conjunction at that time.
3. At the third stage the planet will reach the opposite limb. Then it will become once again internally tangential with the outer rim of the Sun.
4. The transit ends at the final fourth stage when the outer rim of the planet touches that of the Sun, just to get out of it.
The first two contacts of the phase are called ingresses. The last two are called egresses. Greatest transit is the instant of minimum angular separation between Venus and the Sun as seen from Earth's geo-centre.
Where is the transit Seen ?
The entire transit of 5th/6th June 2012 (all four contacts) will be visible from its beginning to end in most of eastern China, northern Asia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, east Australia, New Zealand, east Russia, Alaska, north-western North America, Hawaii and the north-western Pacific. Only part of the transit will be visible from most of North America, the Caribbean, and northwest South America, until the sun sets while the transit is still in progress on
Fig 2
Fig 3
Diagrammatic Charts and Maps
June 5th. In the Middle East and most of south Asia, Europe, eastern Africa, Israel, east Africa, the transit will be visible immediately on the sunrise of the 6th June (when the transit will already be in its middle course). However, those in most of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, southern Spain, western Africa, and the south-eastern two thirds of South America and West Africa, will not see the transit at all!
In India
From any part of India the beginning of the transit will not be visible as the event will be in progress before sunrise. However we can see Venus on the disc of the Sun from sunrise to 10h.12m., till its final egress at 10h.19m.
Diagrammatic patterns of the positions of the Sun, Venus and the earth in their orbits are given Figures 1, 2 and 3. Map 1 shows the transit pattern across the disc of the Sun for both the events of 2004 and 2012. Map 2 shows the areas of visibility, full and partial, for different regions in the word, for event of 2012.
Map 1
(MAP Source: NASA and other astronomical bulletins) Map 2
Visibility map of the 2012 Venus Transit
2004 and 2012 Transits of Venus
Transit in Progress at Sunset No Transit Visible Transit in Progress at Sunrise Entire Transit Visible
Concluding it must be remembered that, prior to 2004, it was on December 6, 1882, such an event was witnessed on the earth. None of those who could have seen that event, in the 19th century, would have survived till 2004, much less to watch this transit of June 2012. However, some who were lucky to see the transit of 2004, like this scribe, if can also be alive on the 6th June 2012, to see the next one, can feel proud of having witnessed both these rare events of this century. Then, after 2012, the present generation cannot witness the next pair of such transits, because they can occur only after over a century from now, on the 11th December 2117 and then on 8th December 2125.
Part B
F
F
F
F
For Students of Astr
or Students of Astr
or Students of Astr
or Students of Astr
or Students of Astrology
ology
ology
ology
ology
The students of astrology can note that the terrestrial impacts of such rare celestial events could be experienced months ahead or later to such events, depending upon the location of visibility, time and other allied factors. The recorded history has nothing much to correlate such transits of Venus or Mercury with major terrestrial happenings. However, there are some recorded incidents that can kindle the curiosity of the assiduous students of astrology and make them rummage around for possible links of such causes and effects.
An annihilation of a massive 16000 inhabitants of Venice, due to plague happened on November 30, 1630. This was just prior to the transit of Venus in 1631. Just after this transit, in December 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying six villages, killing thousands of people. Perhaps Italy had to take the burn for the transit event of 1631. In March 1760 much of Boston was destroyed by a raging fire. This was prior to the transit of 1761. The largest volcanic eruption ever recorded was Krakatau in Indonesia, in 1883, just after the 1882 transit of Venus. The blast was stated to have been heard 4635 kilometres away and the collapse of the volcano caused 150 meters high waves in the nearby Sunda Strait. Ash from the eruption hung in the upper atmosphere causing global temperature drop by an average of 1.2º C, over the next twelve months. Quite recently, can we not take the great forest fire that raged America in November 2003 as a precursor to the transit of 2004?
Can anyone forget the great Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that occurred on the 26th December 2004, which caused major losses in many parts of the world, including India and caused an estimated death of 227,898 people? It is worthy of mention that some such catastrophe was predicted astrologically while discussing the transit
of 2004, elsewhere. The catastrophe was caused after the transit of Venus in June 2004. It will not be out of place to foresee some such disasters in the near future, as the aftermath of the impending transit of Venus, for which the recent strong earthquake that hit Indonesia of a magnitude of 8.7 on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 11, 2012, could be perhaps an indication. Of course those parts of the world exposed fully to the transit visibility could be more susceptible for some such natural havoc, in the perceptible future.
What our Astrological Texts Say
Brihat Samhita mentions that when Venus becomes visible before the Sun sets, panic will rule the land and if seen throughout the day, famine and diseases will break out.
The situation on the 6th June 2012 is that Venus will be seen during daytime not as a bright object but as a darkened spot moving across the face of the Sun, for about four hours during daytime. However, Venus does not over-shine the Sun. Prior to the moment of the entering and the moment it goes out of the rim of the Sun, the planet will not visible, as it will be lost in the glory of the Sun. On that day the Sun will be in Rohini along with Venus, which is retrograde. Venus is in Gajavithi, in the north avenue, in the first mandala and becomes conjunct with the Sun on the 6th and with Mercury on the 2nd. An exact conjunction of Saturn and Mars that occurs on 15th August causing an Agnimarutayoga in Libra bereft of any benefic aspect or association is worthy of note, as it happens on our next Independence day. As this happens at the 4th place from the natal Moon of the Indian Independence chart, a volatile situation can open up just before or after that moment.
Stock markets can tumble and totter
for a while
Stock markets can tumble and totter for a while. Saturn in Virgo can bring a lot of confusion and misunderstanding amongst the political partners of the ruling coalition and troubles for women and writers. A state of turbulence can sway the tribal regions causing many killings. An explosive situation in some of the Arab countries cannot be ruled out.
What Further is in Store
However, Saturn has its favourable strength as well. It can favour the downtrodden masses of the country. Governments both at the centre and states will be
compelled to take steps to improve their status. Saturn is a planet for democracy. Non democratic countries like some of those in the Middle East and rest of the world can see revolutions cropping up making the masses to have the final say. It was after the earlier sojourn of Saturn in Libra, India experienced some shocking and surprising political changes. Saturn perhaps can help to see the emergence of a leader of strong mettle and manners, to take the country to new heights. True to his name, Manda, the process can be a bit slow but steady.
Part C
Some Astronomical Details
Some Astronomical Details
Some Astronomical Details
Some Astronomical Details
Some Astronomical Details
Students of astronomy will find the following information interesting. During the present period in Earth's history, the orbit of Venus crosses the orbital plane of the Earth in early June and early December, each year. If Venus is passing between the Earth and Sun at that time, a transit will be seen. During the six millennium period 2000 BCE to 4000 CE, the earth would experience 81 transits of Venus across the Sun. These events can be organized into two groups:
June (Descending Node) = 44 December (Ascending Node) = 37
Occasionally, one of the eight year "double-transits" may not happen because one of them may become a near miss. The due transit in 1388 missed and the next one in 3097 also will not happen.
Transits of Venus for an 800 year period from 1601 to 2400 are as noted below.
Saturn can see the emergence of a leader of strong mettle and manners,
to take the country to new heights.
The impending conglomeration of five planets in Taurus around the 3rd June 2012, just three days prior to the transit of Venus, will be worthy of watch. Five planets in Taurus, along with Mars from Leo and Saturn from Virgo, will be aspecting the neecha Full Moon, eclipsed by Rahu, in Scorpio, causing somewhat a simulated ‘navagraha’ tangle on Scorpio, which accidently happens to be the ascendant of the swearing in of the present ruling ministry at the Centre, according to Chaitrapaksha Ayanamsa. With the twin eclipses on 20th May (Annular Solar Eclipse) and 4th June (Partial Lunar Eclipse), the Nation can get ready to face drastic changes in the centre, demise or demotion of a couple of popular personalities and to receive a strong and popular leader some months ahead or at least sometime after June this year.
Navamsa Moon Sun Venus Saturn Ascendant Mars Rahu Mercury Moon Ketu Gulika Jupiter Rasi
Chart for Ingress Time at New Delhi Ascendant Mars Sun Jupiter Venus Ketu Saturn Rahu Gulika Mercury Moon
Aries will be rising at New Delhi at the time of ingress, with Sun, Jupiter, retrograde Venus and Ketu in the second, with retrograde Saturn in Virgo and Mars in the fifth, without any beneficial aspects. This can surely trigger some political turmoil, mostly by a lady politician. Demise of a very popular person in the fine-arts field, prior to or after this event of June 6, 2012, is possible.
1631 Dec 07 1639 Dec 04 1761 Jun 06 1769 Jun 03 1874 Dec 09
A useful way to organize the transits is by grouping them into series where each member of a series is separated by 88,756 days or 243 years (sum of 8 + 105.5 + 8 + 121.5 years). Thus, the transits of 1518, 1761 and 2004 would belong to one series, while the transits of 1639, 1882 and 2125 would belong to another series. Such transit series are quite long-lived and may last 5,000 years or more. For example, the series of December at Ascending Node began in -1763 (1764 BCE) and will run till 2854 (a grazing transit) for a total of 20 transits spanning 4617 years. These transit families are quite analogous to the Saros series for solar and lunar eclipses.
The positions of the orbital nodes of Venus with respect to Earth are slowly changing with time. Five thousand years ago, transits occurred around May 21 and November 19. At present, the transits occur within a day of June 7 and December 9. In about 1500 years, the transits will occur during Earth's solstices, i.e., June 21 and December 22. Over a period of approximately eighty thousand years, the transit dates will migrate forward one complete cycle through the seasons.
1882 Dec 06 2004 Jun 08 2012 Jun 06 2117 Dec 11 2125 Dec 08 2247 Jun 11 2255 Jun 09 2360 Dec 13 2368 Dec 10
Episode ... 1
Þeer ieCesMee³e vece:
ùrè gaïäùáya namaç
Þeer mejmJel³ew vece:
ùrè sarasvatyai namaç
ÞeerHeeoJeuueYe vejeEmen mejmJeleer Þeerieg© oÊee$es³ee³e vece:
ùrèpádavallabha narasinha sarasvatè
ùrèguru dattáträyáya namaç
MegkeÌueecyejOejb efJe<Cegb MeefMeJeCe¥ ®elegYeg&peced ~
ÒemeVeJeoveb O³ee³esled meJe&efJeIveesHeMeevle³es~
Ùuklámbaradharam Vishnum Ùaùivarnam
Caturbhujam |
Prasannavadanam Dhyáyät Sarvavighnôpaùántayä ||
Meejoe MeejoecYeespe Jeovee Jeoveecyegpes~
meJe&oe meJe&oemceekebÀ meefVeefOemmeefVeeEOe ef¬eÀ³eeled~
Ùáradá Ùáradámbhôja Vadaná Vadanámbujä |
Sarvadá Sarvadásmákam Sannidhi S’sannidhim
Kriyát ||
DeKeC[ ceC[ueekeÀejb J³eeHleb ³esve ®eje®ejced~
lelHeob oefMe&leb ³esve lemcew Þeer iegjJes vece:~
Akhanda Mandalákáram Vyáptam Yäna Carácaram |
Tatpadam Darùitam Yäna Tasmai Ùrè Guravä
Namaha ||
ketÀpevleb jecejecesefle ceOegjb ceOegje#ejced~
Dee©¿e keÀefJeleeMeeKeeb Jevos JeeuceerefkeÀ keÀesefkeÀueced~
Küjantam Rámarámäti Madhuram Madhuráksharam |
Áruhya Kavitáùákhám Vandä Válmèkikôkilam ||
Debpeveevoveb Jeerjb peevekeÀer MeeskeÀveeMeveced~
keÀHeerMece#envleejb Jevos uebkeÀeYe³ebkeÀjced~
AnJanándanam Vèram Jánakè Ùôkanáùanam |
Kapèùamakshahantáram Vandä Lankábhayamkaram ||
JesoJesÐes Hejs Hegbefme peeles oMejLeelcepes~
Jeso: Òee®eslemeeoerled mee#eeêecee³eCeelcevee~
Vädavädyä Parä Pumsi Játä Daùarathátmajä |
Vädaha Prácätasádèt Sákshádrámáyanátmaná |
jecee³e jeceYeêe³e jece®evêe³e JesOemes~
jIegveeLee³e veeLee³e meerlee³ee: Hele³es vece:~
Rámáya Rámabhadráya Rámacandráya Vädhasä |
Raghunátháya Nátháya Sètáyáha Patayä Namaha ||
DeLe jecee³eCe meb#esHe:
Now Brief of Ramayana starts:leHe mmJeeO³ee³e efvejleb leHemJeer JeeefiJeoeb Jejced~
veejob HeefjHeÒe®í JeeuceerefkeÀ ceg&efveHegbieJeced~
1
Tapa S’svádhyáya Niratam Tapasvè
Vágvidám Varam |
Náradam Paripapraccha
Válmèkirmunipungavam ||
1
A thoughtful-meditator, an eternally studious sage in scriptures about the Truth and Untruth, a sagacious thinker, and a sublime enunciator among all expert enunciators is Narada, and with such a Divine Sage Narada, the Sage-Poet Valmiki is inquisitively enquiring about a man who is a composite for all merited endowments in his form and calibre.
Basics of Sanskrit
Point#1
Sentences of any language have three important parts. 1.Kartaa - Subject; 2. Karma - Object; 3. Kriyaa - Verb
Sanskrit
DR. VAMSHI KRISHNA GHANAPATHI
Dr. Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi is an academic of Indology, deeply interested in philosophy, music, literature and linguistics. He is associated with Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, a great spiritual leader of our times for the past 3 decades. He was awared a doctorate in Sanskrit by the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad for his thesis “Philosophical and Pragmatic Critique on Rituals”
[As this is a Sanskrit Learning series, Devanagari Text is given for reference, apart from the transliteration and meaning along with bilingual questions and answers. – Editor, The AeM.]
through
Sanskrit learners should start the exercise by identifying the verb first in every sentence. Next, the subject, followed by the object should be found in the same order.
To sum up the theme?
1. What is the act (activity) described? - (Kriyaa/Verb) 2. Who did/ does it? (Kartaa/Subject)
3. Who is affected by the act? (Or the object of the action)? (Karma/ Object)
In the first stanza, let us make out the simple sentence.
JeeuceerefkeÀ: veejob HeefjHeÒe®í~
Valmiki asked Narada
Point#2
Positions of Kartaa, Karma & Kriyaa
Basic difference between Sanskrit and English Sequence of Kartaa (Subject), Karma (Object) and Kriyaa (Verb)
Sanskrit Language and its derivative languages, start with the Subject/Kartaa. English also has the same feature.
However, Sanskrit does have the Verb/Kriyaa as the last part in every sentence, in the normal course. In English, the verb follows the subject.
Object/Karma is placed after the subject/ Kartaa in Sanskrit. English has object in the last part.
Illustration 1
JeeuceerefkeÀ: veejob HeefjHeÒe®í~
(Valmiki asked Narada)Moving onto the next set of information, after the basic three parts of the sentence, we need to analyse the subject or object by its qualities/ properties. These are distinguished by a special word. This is called
efJeMes<eCe
Viùäúaïa
or AdjectiveWhat are the qualities of these basic three?
These qualifiers are called as efJeMes<eCe
Viùäúaïa
or Adjective. (We learn more about this later.)1 Normally, there precede the Kartaa/ Karma. Viseshana is to distinguish. Make it distinct from
others.
The word distinguishing the subject/ object is called
Viseshana;
The distinguished subject/ object is called Viseshaya.
First stanza is complete with many adjectives for both
Kartaa and Karma.
Let us arrange the words for easy understanding. Kartaa/Subject -
leHemJeer (adj) JeeuceerefkeÀ: (Subj)
Tapasvè, Válmèki
Karma/ Object -
leHe mmJeeO³ee³e efvejleb (Adj), JeeefieJeoeb
Jejb (Adj), ceg&efveHegbieJeb (Adj), veejob (Obj)
Tapa
S’svádhyáya Niratatam, Vágvidám Varam,
munipungavam, Náradam
Kriyaa/Verb - HeefjHeÒe®í~ Paripapraccha 1
Point#3
Anvaya Krama Order of words in Prose and Poetry Arrangement in this manner is called Anvaya Krama. The order of understanding a sentence.
Usually, the order of Kartaa, Karma and Kriyaa remains unaltered in Prose (Gadya/ Vaakya). Whereas, Poetry has its emphasis on metre. Hence, the order gets changed to suit the metre deployed by the poet. Therefore, to understand every stanza Anvaya Krama (Sequential arrangement of words in each stanza) is written separately for clarity, especially in the case of beginners.
To suit the context, beauty of letters/ words the adjectives are also often mingled with other words. Hence, each word has to be examined and understood for this arrangement. Questions:
1. What is Kartaa? 2. What is Karma? 3. What is Kriyaa?
4. What is the order of deploying Kartaa, Karma & Kriyaa in Indian languages?
5. What is the difference between Indian Languages and English?
6. What is Anvaya Krama?
7. What is the position of Adjective?
8. What is the difference of order in Poetry and Prose?
JeeuceerefkeÀ: veejob HeefjHeÒe®í~
Válmèkih náradam paripapraccha |
Valmiki asked Narada
1. What was the gist of their discussion?
2. What were qualifiers to the questioner and replier? 3. What is the significance?
T
HE DOOMSDAY PREDICTION of the Mayan calendar that the world would come to an end on 21st December 2012 has done enough rounds around the world. This prediction is different from the prophecies of the Nostradamus kind, because the Mayans had based their predictions on a repetitive calendar system of astronomical position of planets. This background of the predictions naturally arouses the interest of astrologers like us who have been introduced to traditional astrology given by the Vedic seers. Of particular interest is the importance given to Venus in the Mayan calendar. The origin of the Mayan calendar coming from regions closer to the southern hemisphere raises our curiosity as to whether the system of Venus, known as Shukramana was the basis for the Mayan calendar. In this article, an attempt is made to bring out the salient features of the Shukramana, taking cue from Brihat Samhita and interfacing with Mayan revelations and the probable interpretation of the Mayan prediction of 21st December, 2012.Before going into the details, let us remind ourselves of the Mayan connection to our traditional astrology. The name Maya comes as a Vastu specialist and also as an astrologer who received the wisdom of Surya Siddhantha. In both these contexts Maya is either referred to as a Danava or an Asura. Surya Siddhantha recognises him as an Asura only. We should recall that the region to the south of the equator was peopled with Asuras according to Puranic narrations. The Asuras of the south and the Devas who inhabited the Northern hemisphere were guided by their respective preceptors namely Shukra (Venus) and Brihaspathi (Jupiter) respectively. For the astrologer, the important information is that the cycle of Jupiter, known as Brihaspatya mana was in vogue in the Northern hemisphere. This gives a presumption that the cycle of Venus called as Shukra
mana must have been popular in the southern hemisphere.
Although not much is known about Shukra mana, the traditional opinion is that such a system of time measurement did exist as part of different systems of
mana or measurement of time. Interestingly Mayasura
The Mayan Apocalypse
A Vedic View
received the knowledge of nine systems of mana according to the narration in the Surya Siddhantha. They are Brahma-mana, Prajapatya-mana, Deva-mana,
Pitru-mana, Saura-mana, Chandra-mana, Savana-mana, Nakshatra-mana and Brihaspatya-mana. The Brihaspathya mana is based on Jupiter and was followed
by the Devas or the people of the northern hemisphere. But an Asura receiving that knowledge precludes that he later deduced the mana for the Asuras or the inhabitants of the southern hemisphere. There does exist in some compilations that a mana known as Asura mana was in vogue in times of past but was lost due to dis-use in the region where we live, namely the northern hemisphere. An analysis of the past does reveal that a system of astrology propagated by Maya and applicable to the southerners did exist in the past. From Vedic texts we come to know that a common ancestry of seers known as
Bhrugvangiras got divided into Bhrugu and Angiras.
Bhrugu’s disciple was Shukra, who became teacher for Asuras (demons). And from Angiras came Brihaspathi who became the teacher for Devas. The sage Bhrugu and the teacher of Shukra are grouped along with Maya in Matsya Purana as sages who were proficient in Vastu sastra. Thus we find a connection between Maya and Shukra and Asuras, the people of southern regions. This background information gives credence to the Bhrugu or Shukra mana (Asura-mana) system of time measurement as the origin of the Mayan belief system that is found in the Mesoamerican regions including Mexico and in regions just north and south of the Equator. The importance given to Venus in their systems also lends credence to its origin in Asura-mana or Shukra-mana.
The Mayan Calendar of Time
Mayans followed 3 types of calculation of time. One is the long count which is similar to Yuga cycles running into thousands of years. One such long cycle is going
to end on 21st December 2012. The second one is a Divine calendar (Tzolkin) running to a duration of 260 days. This resembles our Lunar calendar which we use for religious purposes. Mayans have 13 rounds of 20 days
With a Masters degree in astrology, she is a practitioner of astrology (and palmistry) for twenty years. She is currently doing Research in astrology. While her teacher was maternal grand father, Kaazhiyur Bashyam Iyengar, she says she owes her knowledge largely to Dr B.V. Raman whose books enriched her perception of astrology.
each, making up 260 days of the divine calendar. Many theories are floating to justify this number. One theory of importance to astrologers is that 260 is the number of
days between two consecutive zeniths for the Sun at
the place where Mayans once lived. This place was known as Izapa and now they call it Chiapas Mexico which lies at 15 degrees N. Gnomons used for observing the path of the Sun have been unearthed in this place giving credence to this notion. The third one is the Civil calendar (Haab) which is equal to the Solar year. The Maya count it as 18 rounds of 20 days each and an extra 5 days. The last five days are considered to be dangerous and evil. These two (divine and civil calendar) are used in everyday life by the Mayans and they repeat every 52 years. In other words the Mayans had 52 year cycle that is similar to the 60 year cycle of the Brihaspatya mana.
Apart from this, the Mayans had a short count of 13 rounds of 20 years for which they had written predictions. An important feature of this count is that the 12th round of
the present series is also coming to an end on 21st
December 2012. These dates indicate the end of a cycle
which is being variously interpreted as a doomsday prediction.
A cursory look at the prediction for the 12th cycle spanning for 20 years from 1993 to 2012 will reveal what the Mayans thought. It runs as follows:
“There will be scarcities of corn and squash during this katun (20 year period) and this will lead to great mortality. This was the katun during which the settlement of Chichen Itza (a place where Mayans lived and built a temple) occurred, when the man-god Kukulcan (Quetzalcoatl) arrived. It is the katun of remembering and recording knowledge.”
Apparently this period shows a regional scarcity in food production. It also says a date in the past when people had settled in the area. According to this short count, it would come to an end on 21st December 2012, when the last and the 13th count of the current short series would begin. The 13th count will run for 20 years and end in 2032. By a coincidence the long count and the 12th round of the short count are coming to an end on 21st December this year. There is absolutely no prediction of an
apocalypse for this date given in the Mayan books.
Venus as the Basis of Mayan System
The system of long and short count looks similar to 12 rounds of Jupiter’s cycle with small round of 5 years each, with one count getting fit into another count. The Jupiter cycle is known as Brihaspatya mana which is based on
the movement of Jupiter around the zodiac with its starting point occurring in the constellation of Dhanishta in the month of Magha, with its reappearance from a conjunction with the Sun after Jupiter has crossed its sign of debility. In fact, our astrological predictions for all the planets except Saturn and the nodes are based on the re-appearance after a conjunction (asthang) with Sun. The counting of the lunar month starts the day after conjunction of Moon with the Sun. For Mars, its point of retrogression after reappearance from conjunction with Sun is taken into consideration for different types of predictions. For Mercury, its reappearance after a conjunction with Sun is noted for making predictions according to Varahamihira. Similarly, for Venus too, its reappearance after a conjunction with Sun is taken into consideration for making predictions. This system explained in Brihat Samhita is also found in the Mayan book of Chilam Balam. (note this name Chilam Balam of the Maya sounds like Chidambaram, the abode of Nataraja, which was actually called as Chelambaram or Chelambalam until 200 years ago as per the records of the colonial travellers.) The Chilam Balam tells about a Venus cycle of 584 days and the tracking of the heliacal rising of Venus as the morning and evening star accompanied with predictions for these. Many dates have been given in this context with prediction of war or loss or growth of crop or failure of crop etc. This is significant because 584 is the number of days that Venus takes to come closer to earth (called as inferior conjunction) before it changes as evening or morning star. Of this 236 is the number of days that Venus is in the eastern sky as the morning star. For 90 days Venus is in upper conjunction (on the other side of Sun) when it will become invisible to earth. In the next 250 days Venus is the western sky as the evening star. Then for 8 days, Venus is in inferior conjunction by coming in between the earth and the Sun. On the day that I am writing this article, Venus is in inferior conjunction – crossing the disc of the Sun!
The Mayan dates reveal the above position of Venus. For example one of the dates was January 27, in the year 727. On that day Venus made the reappearance in Dhanishta as the morning star after an inferior conjunction. Another date is September 17, 915 AD. That was also the day of reappearance in the east as morning star after an inferior conjunction. Venus reappeared in Uttaraphalguni on that day. Like this many dates coincide with the heliacal rising of Venus and they are mentioned along with a prediction. If we look at Varahamihira’s version, he has also given prediction for the heliacal rising of Venus for all 27 stars.
For example when Venus reappears in Dhanishta, the heretics will suffer. When it reappears in Uttaraphalguni, Varahamihira says that the people of Kuru, Panchala and Jangala would perish and there would be good rains. It is here we can see how the prediction is localised. This prediction has no relevance to Mayan lands but only to India. But the fact that the Mayans observed the reappearance and based a prediction on it shows that the methodology was same or derived from a common source or a parental source, perhaps from the Vedic
Shukracharya. But predictions were made after
observing Nature and mankind for very many years. The Mayan prediction is different but applicable to the region where it is used. This is the basic feature that we must see before taking the Mayan prediction of 21st December seriously.
Scientists have said that the Mayan dates coinciding with the heliacal rising come with a minor error, which is inevitable in direct observation. They also have said that the observation is applicable to the landscape of Mayan presence where the predictions were originally written. This is substantiated by the predictions for helical rising for Venus differing from Varahamihira’s predictions. It shows that the methodology is same but the predictive part differs from region to region. Many of the Chilam Balam dates also tally with the dates of heliacal rising of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
The Beginning of Mayan Cycle
Basically the Brahaspatya mana starts after Jupiter moves out of its sign of debility and emerges out of a conjunction with the Sun. It is logical to expect a similar rationale for Shukra mana also. And we are in for a surprise because the long count of the Maya shows such a rise for Venus. The current long count started on August 11, 3114 BC. The skymap shows that Venus has come out of its debility and also reappeared from a conjunction with Sun. This cycle is going to come to an end on 21st December this year which many people think is predicted as the day of Cataclysm. This end date also has Venus coming out of debility and disappearing in conjunction with the Sun. However some people question the exactness of this date. But going by the logic reappearance with beginning of a cycle and disappearance with the end of the cycle, I think the more apt date would be 13th December 2012 and not 21st December. On 13th December, 2012, Venus disappears from our sight due to conjunction with the Sun and had also emerged out of its debility.
The skymaps on the beginning and end of the cycle are shown in figures 1 and 2. An interesting feature is that Saturn is in exaltation during these two occasions. Perhaps the cycle of Venus has exalted Saturn as a main companion in its movement.
Figure 2 August 11, 3114 BC Mars Moon Sun Saturn Venus Rahu Jupiter (R) Mercury Ketu December 21, 2001 AD Mars Saturn Venus Mercury Rahu Ketu Jupiter (R) Moon Sun Mars Figure 1
The end of the cycle as shown on figure 2 is publicised as the end of the world. The Mayan prediction reading does not say that the world would end on that day. However the 6-month period culminating in December has the astrological combination for natural calamities such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. (Refer my
2-part article on “Predicting earthquakes” published in January and May 2010 issues of this Magazine.)
The location is the Americas. It is pertinent to note here that a volcano became active about a month ago in Mexico. Whatever prediction is made in Mayan books, it is applicable to the Mayan regions (Mesoamerica) and not for the world over.
Comparison of
Mayan System with Vedic Astrology
There are two parallels between Mayan and
Varahamihiran astrology. Varahamihira tells about 9 veedhis in which Venus travels. He attributes different
versions of this veedhi concept to different sources in the past, but the core concept centres around 9 veedhis or 9 streets in the sky. They are identified by the stars in the sky. The appearance or reappearance of Venus (after conjunction with Sun) in these veedhis is connected with specific predictions. A parallel is seen in Mayan calendar of 9 lords of night or 9 underworlds of Chichen Itza. Figure 3 shows the image of this building (called as
Chichen Itza) which was measured by the famous
sculptor of India, Sri Ganapathi Sthapathi who found the structure to be perfectly Vastu complaint as per the text Mayamata.
Figure 4 gives the close up feature of the 9 steps, which the Mayan called as 9 underworlds.
This structure built about 1000 years ago is variously explained by researchers, but an analysis of the location of Venus in the sky in the backdrop of the steps in this structure might throw interesting results, for, the steps remind us of the 9 veedhis in which Venus travels. Seen from the ground level, the rise and decline of Venus in the sky could well match with the steps of this structure. Yet another concept that resonates with Brihat Samhita is that of Venus travelling in 6 mandalas. The sky is divided into 6 mandalas and the reappearance of Venus (after conjunction with Sun) in a mandala is noted with specific predictions. In the Mayan system, the lunation is seen in a series of 6. That is, the sky is divided into 6 segments and Moon’s transit is recorded in each of these with specific predictions. Instead of Venus they see Moon’s transit in these 6 mandalas.
The Mayans have a system of 13 rounds of 20 days or 20 years each. This is in contrast to the 12 rounds (yugas) of 5 years each of Jupiter in the Brihaspatya mana. The
Figure 4
Mayan number 13 could mean the 13 lunar months. The number 20 also comes along with Moon’s transit as they count only the days when the Moon is seen before it disappears and after it reappears. This is known from the fact that they use a specific glyph to denote lunation for 19 days and another one from 20 to 30 days of lunation.
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The Venus cycle of Maya has 52 years – the rationale behind which is not yet deciphered. But the number 13 has relevance in this cycle as 4 times 13 is 52. There will be 8 rounds of 584 cycle of inferior conjunction in 52 years. Like this, different categories of movement of Venus are incorporated in the Mayan calendar making us think that it could be based on the forgotten Shukra mana. The detailed analysis of the Mayan system might perhaps enable us to retrieve the forgotten Shukra mana.