Karmic Astrology—a Study
by Sunita Anant Chavan | 2017 | 68,707 words
This page relates ‘Concept of Jyotihshastra (Introduction)’ of the study on Karmic Astrology and its presentation in Vedic and the later Sanskrit literature. Astrology (in Sanskrit: Jyotish-shastra) is based upon perceptive natural phenomenon of cosmic light forms while the Concept of Karman basically means “action according to Vedic injunction” such as the performance of meritorious sacrificial work.
Part 2 - Concept of Jyotiḥśāstra (Introduction)
Astronomy or Astrology is termed as Jyotiḥśāstra in Sanskrit literature and is defined as the knowledge or science of light.
i. Derivation of the term
The term jyoti is derived from √dyut or √jyut[1] meaning ‘to shine’. The √dyut followed by uṇādi suffix-isin[2] makes ‘jyoti’ after the elision of ‘n’ and the substitution of ‘j’ for the initial ‘d’.[3] √dyut (to light) is used directly or in the causative sense for the formation of ‘jyoti’.[4] The use of √jyut ‘to shine’ has been traced in Vedic literature only and in the late ages its use has become obsolete.[5]
ii. Meaning of the term
In the Vedic and later literature, the term ‘jyoti’ appears in connection with that which shines. In this sense, ‘jyoti’ comes in a widely extensive meaning in the literature. Jyoti[6] (n) means light, luster or brilliance, heavenly body or luminary, the celestial world, lightning, light of Brahman, the faculty of seeing. Jyoti (m) means the sun and fire. The function of jyotiṣ is prakāśa that is to manifest, to illuminate or to dispel darkness.
In the above senses Jyotiḥśāstra constitutes the study of various light forms in nature and the term jyoti[7] appears in connotation with the above meanings in the literature.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Dhātupātha 1.2.
[2]:
in the sense of nominative.
[4]:
Pūrvamīmāṃsā-sūtra of Jaimini 4.4.40.
[6]:
[7]:
As light / lustre (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā 1.48.8, IV.10.2.). As heavenly light (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā VIII.48.3.). As luminary, as Sun (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā 1.124.1,IV.13.1.). As dawn (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā 1.113.1,Atharvaveda IV.14.3.). As light of Brahman (Br.Up. 4.3.2-7.). As fire (Atharvaveda 1.9.2,1.35.3.). As Tejas (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.4.1.). As Agni (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 2.1.3.). As Jyotiṣ (Muṇḍaka-upaniṣad 2.1.3.). As faculty of seeing (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā I.117.17.).