Preface

The Veda The oldest and most sacred scriptures of Hinduism has six limbs: Phonetics, Ritual, Grammar, Etymology, Prosody, and Astrology (Jyotisha). Among these, the most excellent limb—designated as the "eye"—is the pure and stainless science of Astrology. Ancient sages revealed this in three "branches" (skandhas): Mathematical Astronomy (Siddhanta), Compendiums on natural omens and timing (Samhita), and Horoscopy (Hora), which includes natal charts and specialized systems like Tajik A system of Persian-influenced annual solar return horoscopy. Without this science, all Shrauta-Smarta Vedic rituals and traditional social/religious duties based on the Law-codes actions cannot be successfully completed.

Therefore, for the benefit of the world, Lord Brahma described it as the "eye of the Veda." For this reason, the "twice-born" original: dvija; refers to those initiated into Vedic study—historically the Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya communities are commanded to study this science with great effort. In other sciences, there is much dispute, and the results are not as clearly visible as they are in the directly observable and wondrous science of Astrology. The proofs of this are seen in the Sun and the Moon, the rising and setting of stars, and the waxing and waning of the moon's crescent.

In the texts on Shiksha Vedic Phonetics, it is also written: "Phonetics is the nose of the Veda, Grammar is the mouth. Astrology is called the eye, and Etymology is the ear. Prosody represents the feet, and the Ritual codes are the hands." Even if all other limbs and parts of the body are complete, just as everything remains in darkness without eyes, so too are all religious instruments rendered useless without this science.

The Vashistha Siddhanta An ancient astronomical treatise attributed to the sage Vashistha also contains the sentence: "This science is indeed the eye of the Veda; it holds primacy among the limbs because of the wealth of its meaning. A man may be complete in his body with all other limbs, but without eyes, he is nothing."

Despite these many authoritative proofs, in the present day, many contemporary gentlemen often say that Astrology is of no substance. They claim that in the past, only the Brahmins were learned, and being wise, they made this far-sighted calculation: "If our descendants become lacking in knowledge or prowess, how will they maintain their livelihood?"

The vocabulary section below defines the key technical terms used in the Sanskrit and Hindi text above.
Vocabulary: Jyotisha (Astrology/Astronomy), Siddhanta (Mathematical Astronomy), Samhita (Natural/Social Astrology), Hora (Natal Horoscopy), Veda (Sacred Knowledge), Vedanga (Limbs of the Veda), Shrauta-Smarta (Vedic and Traditional Rituals).