Mathematical Astrology

About the Author Shri S. Tyagarajan has been an officer of the armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services and served, he retired, after a final stint in the Defence Research & Development Organization HQ as a Consultant in the Govt. sector after his retirement from service. In recognition of his devotion to duty and outstanding work he was awarded a Commendation Certificate and Medallion by the Chief of Air Staff, Ministry of Defence.

Shri S. Tyagarajan has been a Faculty member with the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (Regd.) for nearly two decades. He has been one of the founding members of the Jyotisha classes of ICAS started at Sri devi Kamakshi Mandir in Delhi in the 2000. ICAS, in recognition of his vast contribution to the teaching of Jyotisha has conferred on him the titles Jyotisha Kovid, Jyotisha Vachaspati, Jyotisha Kalamani and Jyotisha Brihadacharya. At present Shri Tyagarajan works as Deputy Controller of Examinations, CoE-ICAS.

Preface The Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS) is a more than three decade old institution. The finest of astrology teachers have been associated with it right from the beginning. Taught and mentored by them, in every aspect of Vedic As- trilogy, many of their students themselves have now become second generation and third generation teachers. The first seed sown by our Founder President and most revered Dr Bangalore Venkata Raman ji has now grown in to a huge [yotisha Kalpavriksha.

Dr BV Raman was a colossus and he passed on his knowledge to all seekers through his books, virtually on every aspect of the Vedic science of Jyotisha. Since then, many more stalwarts of ICAS have followed in his footsteps. But for the avail- ability of such modern treatises, the teaching of Jyotisha, under the portals of ICAS, would not have been possible. Credit is also due to many other authors and astrological savants who have put in yeoman efforts to bring out primers and advanced re- search work for the benefit of those yearning for authentic knowledge of the subject. Therefore, the question naturally arises, as to why another book on Mathematical Astrology, which is the subject matter of the book in your hand.

Shri A.B. Shukla ji, the present National President of ICAS, has envisaged the project of bringing out Course Books on various subjects to bring in uniform teaching and learning so that the vast amount of knowledge gained by the faculty over years of teaching the curriculum should get reflected in coherent and cogent formats. That ICAS should consolidate its knowledge bank very urgently lest it should go without formal output, he has envisioned that ICAS should be the epicenter of all standardized learning of Vedic astrology and thus should be the centrifuge for all seekers of this pristine and supreme science.

In this effort, I have, with my nearly two decades of experience of teaching various subjects of Vedic Jyotisha, felt the express need for explaining various facts pertaining to the subject of Ganita Jyotisha to students in a simple and holistic way. I have also felt it very necessary to include some elements of what is traditionally included in Astronomy books in this presentation. In my humble view, amplified discussions on Tithi, Karana, Vaara, Nakshatra and Yogas would greatly help the new students to come to grips with the practical dimension of Jyotisha. Some issues concerning the determination of Lagna and use of the tables have also been discussed in detail with practical examples. I have also tried to simplify the language for explaining various mathematical and astronomical terms, which otherwise tend to be little dryly worded and therefore altogether ignored by the taught, if not also by the teachers.

My entry into the field of Jyotisha and writing this book has marked two important turning points in my personal life. Nearly two decades ago, my Guru (as would everyone, who has come under his "chchatra-chchaya", stake claim) Shri AB Shuklaji, suddenly commanded me to join ICAS as a faculty member. To this date, I doubt whether I then had the yogyata to deserve that anointment. If I have, in his eyes, acquitted myself worthy of his decision then it is my sowbhagya. Today, he has put me on another journey of which I know nothing. It is my firm belief that both my work as a teacher and now my current effort as a writer are his alone and I am but just a channel for him. To me it is just redemption, another chance to remedy myself. I prostrate and do charana sparsha to him. I am equally indebted to Honable Justice (Retd.) SN Kapoor Sir, who likes late Dr BV Raman and Shukla ji, has treated every budding astrologer as his own child and taken keen interest in their growth. I seek his blessings and do charana sparsha to him.

I am also very grateful and pay my respects to Sri Pollachi Ganeshan ji, Executive Trustee and Sri HS Subramanian ji, Trustee of Sri Devi Kamakshi Mandir, New Delhi for the kindness shown by them and the freedom given to me to pursue the teaching of Jyotisha in the temple premises. Of course, it is only due to the divine grace of Devi Kamakshi that I have been able to write this book. It is She who has willed this book. I had the good fortune of teaching in the serene atmosphere at her Mandir and also meditate and write this book.

My salutation to all my teachers who taught me the various branches of jyotisha at Delhi Chapter-f. Pranams to all my respected colleagues at Delhi (Karol Bagh & Roop Nagar) and Delhi Chapter-IV (Shri Devi Kamakshi Mandir). My special thanks also to the team of Controller of Examinations (CoE) of ICAS for editing, printing and publishing this book. Specially, I very gratefully acknowledge the immense help of Shri Vinay Aditya ji, a very senior faculty member himself and my mentor, Shri Soumya Kumar ji of Editorial Board and Shri Ashish Sharma, Hon. Assistant Controller of Examinations, CoE-ICAS.

I would also like to gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and support given to me by my wife Seetha and my children when I undertook this work. I also would like to place on record the excellent assistance provided to me by Smt Indira Vancheswer and Shri Akhilesh Kumar Ojha, two of my students (at Delhi Chapter-IV), in computerizing all the drawings, charts and tables in the book. I wish them all the best in their astrological journey and happiness in their lives. I dedicate this work to my late parents Sri K Srinivasan and Srimati Sakuntala.

This is also a present to my lovely grand-daughter Meera.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages