A much debated topic recently the introduction of vedic astrology as a subject for study at the universities seem to embarrass the majority of the educated masses. But it would be extremely unfair to condemn the subject with such sarcasm without proper investigation of the reasons that prompted the people who proposed the idea to do so. In order to understand this let us try to understand what astrology basically stands for.

Astrology is the science of the effects of the planets movements on our lives and all things. Astrology is based on astronomy in that astrologers need to know the correct positions of the planets at any given time, as well as the correct positions of the zodiacal fixed star signs in relation to any place on earth at any given time. Once the correct positions of the signs and planets are known, the astrologer then constructs charts representing these positions, and using the astrological science, studies the charts and can make quite a wide range of conclusions about the moment the chart was cast for. Charts are cast based on an exact moment at an exact place on Earth. Therefore, the moment you were born and the place you were born has a chart, or can have a chart, and that is called your "birth chart" or "natal chart". By reading the chart of the heavens for the time and place of your birth, we can know much about you. That is the claim of astrology. It can be used for other things such as the chart of a question asked (called "Prasna" astrology) or for planning when to do some certain action (called "Muhurtha" or "Electional" astrology). Primarily, astrology is used to understand ourselves, or our karma for this life.

The science of astrology originated in Bharat, also known as "India," and has been practiced continuously for more than 8,000 years. Records of astrological knowledge are to be found in the history of all nations and among the relics of all civilizations, past and present. In India records exist today which point clearly to a highly developed knowledge of astrology as far back as about 6,500 BCE and actual manuscripts are still extant which were written about 3,700 BCE. Some of the originals have been destroyed or lost but actual copies of these originals were made by alter astrologers. These are to be found in the libraries of Maharajas and in the libraries of certain states in India. Actual, detailed records of astrological science are continuous from about 6,500 BCE. One of the earliest authors of Vedic astrology, copies of whose work are still to be found, is Pita Maha who wrote a treatise on astrology called Pita Maha Siddhant(a). He lived and wrote this book about 3,000 BCE. Five hundred years later, another author-astrologer named Vashishtth(a) wrote several books on astrology, astronomy and philosophy. His most important work, and one which was used as an authority by all subsequent writers on the subject, is Vashishtth(a) Siddhant(a), but he wrote may other equally erudite and authoritative texts such as the Panch Siddhant(a) Kosh(a), Soory(a) Siddhant(a), Nityanand(a), Brhat Jatak(a), Aryabhat, Mansagari, Ranveer, and the Laghu Parashar. E. M. Plunkett writes in his book Ancient Calendars and Constellations: "The opinion of the Greek writers at the beginning of the Christian era may be quoted as showing the high estimation in which Indian astronomy was held. In the Life of Appollonius of Tyana, the Greek philosopher and astrologer, written by Philostratus about 210 CE, the wisdom and learning of Appollonius are set high above his contemporaries because he had studied astronomy and astrology with the sages of India." In a book called You and Your Hand by the late Count Louis Hamon, known better as Cheiro, this statement is found: "People who in their ignorance disdain the wisdom of ancient races forget that the great past of India contained secrets of life and philosophy that following civilizations could not controvert, but were forced to accept. For instance, it has been demonstrated that the ancient Hindus understood the precession of the equinoxes and made the calculation that it [a complete cycle] took place once in every 25,870 years. The observation and mathematical precision necessary to establish such a theory has been the wonder and admiration of modern astronomers. They, with their modern knowledge and up-to-date instruments, are still quarrelling among themselves as to whether the precession, the most important feature in astronomy, takes place every 25,870 years or every 24,500 years. The majority believe that the Hindus made no mistakes, but how they arrived at such a calculation is as great a mystery as the origin of life itself."

Astronomy was interwoven with astrology and since ancient times Indians have involved the planets (called Grahas) with the determination of human fortunes. The planets Shani, i.e. Saturn and Mangal i.e. Mars were considered inauspicious. In the working out of horoscopes (called Janmakundali), the position of the Navagrahas, nine planets plus Rahu and Ketu (mythical demons, evil forces) was considered. The Janmakundali was a complex mixture of science and dogma. But the concept was born out of astronomical observations and perception based on astronomical phenomenon

So we can see that Astronomy formed one of the most advanced forms of science in ancient India and even today is not fully understood or appreciated by the vast majority of educates masses. It is more of ignorance of the intricancies of this branch of science which prompt proponents of condemning vedic astrology to despise the idea of finally conferring the due respects astrology has been waiting all these days. It has to further mentioned that most developed countries including the United states of America and United Kingdom have an appreciable number of people learning and doing research on Vedic Astrology. It won't be long before they know more about vedic astrology than any Indian and we could dread the days when an American applies for a patent for ideas presented in vedic astronomy and no Indian realizes we are being robbed of our culture and heritage.

The reasons the opponents of Vedic Astrology put forth seem in no way convincing for the reason they are seem merely based on contempt and prejudice. A few sensible people are objected the move since they smell an atempt to "saffronise" the university. They might be justified in their doubts, but this would be similar to a move to condemn Ayurveda since it was first developed by Hindu saints. Hence it has to born in mind that Vedas and Vedic Astrology are more of Indian tradition than Hindu tradition.

All above said facts lead us to converge to one conclusion that Vedic astrology was one splendid and most advanced stream of science of India which we could allways be proud of and have been long been disgraced and discarded. The reasons that the opponents of the move to promote vedic astrology as a subject in university put forth are too immature and unconvincing that it would be most unfortunate tragedy if they are successfull in shunning Vedic astrology back to the dark ages.

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