In Search Of Jyotish: A Journey Into The World of Vedic Astrology

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Jyotisa is like a vast ocean, providing a universal language understand mother nature. However, people hardly realize the vastness of the subject because the knowledge is fragmented into several books. This book consolidates methods and tools from several sources. The knowledge contained in the book would enrich the Jyotisa experience of a seeker.

Several principles, such as Pacakādi Sambandha, are not much used by the Jyotisa practitioners, mainly because of the lack of availability of literature. Acarya Venkatesa Daivajña's Sarvärtha Cintamani provides the principles of this important concept. I have tried to bring knowledge from several classical texts and put them in a structured manner for ease of understanding.

There are several esoteric Cakras, such as Nara Cakra, Graha Purusa Cakra, Trinadi Cakra etc., that are not much known or used. Such Cakras are considered Guhya Vidya (hidden knowledge) contained in several Tantrik of Yamala Sastras. They are compiled by Daivajña Narapati in Narapati Jayacharya.

This book covers several topics, including Pacakādi Sambandha, Candrakriya Acarya Kalidasa's Principles, Special Cakras, Pataki Rista, Tripapa Cakra, Bhrgu's Paddhati, Pañcaka, Candra's special avasthas such as etc., Miscellaneous tools such as Mrtyubhaga, Bhrgubindu etc., the Badhaka and Stri Jātaka.

The special Cakra section contains esoteric diagrams, including Navatara Cakra, Ghataka Cakra, Dimbha Cakra, Nara Cakra, Graha Puruşa Cakras, The Satapada Cakra, the Kalanala Cakras, Yamadaṁstra Cakra, Trinadi Cakra, Gaja and Asva Cakras, Pañcasvara Cakra, Sannāḍī Cakra, Kota Cakra and Sanghatta Cakra.

The Bhrgu Paddhati contains the translation of Bhrgu Sutra, Bhrgu Sanhita, and Bhrgu Saral Paddhati. Also contained is a dialogue between Acarya Saurajit and his students on Physiognomy.

Since the focus of this book is to compile the obscure knowledge from several classical texts, I have brought together some principles from Acarya Kalidasa's Uttarakälämṛta, Jyotisa Sarvasangraha, Badhaka from Praśnamarga, Strī Jātaka. The dialogue on Physiognomy explores how the Jyotisa principles are encoded in the human body, including the forehead, palms and soles. This knowledge is also hidden and commonly known as Samudrika Sastra.

One may not become the master in these approaches, including Samudrika, but I hope this kindles interest in the seekers to explore these. I hope this book works as a pathfinder to connect us to our rich tradition and culture of esoteric knowledge.

I am an earnest seeker of Jyotisa. having an unquenching thirst for was born in Dhanu Lagna, Vricika Rasi and Anuradha Naksatra, on a Navami Tithi, when Brhaspati was in Kumbha, Sani. learning this discipline. I w in Mithuna, and Surya, in Sinha. In my thirteenth year. I stepped into the world of Jyotisa in 1988, and after that, guided by divine providence, to study it seriously. My paternal uncle and my first Jyotisa Guru, Sri Manoj Kanti accomplished Jyotisašastri and a Sakti Sadhaka guided me. My father was also a Sakti Sadhaka and an accomplished Palmist. Therefore, I Poddar, an was born into a family of Jyotisis and Sakti Sädhakas, and Jyotișa runs down my family lineage.

I studied palmistry from 1988 to 1993, and eventually, in 1993, I got introduced to Jyotișa through Dr BV Raman's astrological magazine. I commenced my learning through the astrological magazine for months. After that, it continued through a Bengali edition of Brhatparāśara and Sarvartha Cintamani that my uncle gave me. During my initial years, I learned immensely from Dr Raman's books, Hindu Predictive Astrology and How to Judge a Horoscope Vol I and II. In 1999, Pt Sanjay Rath accepted me as his student, an event I will always cherish. It was the beginning of learning advanced Jyotișa. From him, I learned several advanced topics, including Arurhas, Argalās, Vargas, Tithi Pravesa Cakra etc. His books, Crux of Vedic Astrology: Timing of Events and Jaimini Maharṣi's Upadesa Sutras, remained my constant companion for several years.

In my studies over thirty-three years, I always endeavoured to uncover the hidden meaning behind the slokas and sutras and reconcile the principles across several classical texts. My search slowly took the shape of this book, which is why I named it "In Search of Jyotisa". I started penning down my thoughts and experiences in a blog, "http://varahamihira.blogspot. com/ in 2004, and later continued to write in other mediums such as Facebook, Medium.com, and LinkedIn.com. I kept my pen name as Varahamihira in honour of the great Jyotişaśastri, who adorned the court of king Vikramaditya as one of his Navaratnas (nine jewels).

Who am I? It is difficult to say who I am. Different people see me in so many ways. From my viewpoint, I am a soul trapped inside the world of illusion! I am not a Pundit, Acarya, or Guru, who claims to be a master of this discipline. I am a seeker who wishes to share his observations and experiences with like-minded seekers. I encountered numerous challenges navigating the arduous path of Jyotisa. In this book, I am narrating my reflections with a sincere prayer so it could be of some help to others in their journey.

**Contents and Sample Pages**