Electional astrology
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Electional astrology is a branch found in most systems of astrology. In western culture one can see remnants of this in ceremonies such as the cutting of a ribbon to open a new building. This is traditionally done at the auspicious moment for the building to come into use, which is considered its actual birth to the people who will utilize the space. A heavy importance is placed on this in modern Hindu culture, and therefore there is a large amount of information on this topic from that tradition.
[edit] Vedic Electional Astrology (Muhūrta)
Electional astrology (called Muhurt or Muhūrta in Vedic astrology) concerns itself with finding the best time to do a particular activity. A part of Vedic astrology, this system proposes that the results of any action are based not only on who or how they are performed, but also when. This system takes in account the individual person, and the place where the action is performed to suggest the best time to perform the activity in order to get the best results possible.
The basis of electional astrology lies in the assumption that just as the destiny of an individual is governed by the state of the heaven when he was born, the outcome of the action also depends on the stars governing it.
The Vedic system of Electional astrology is more than a way to find out the best time to perform actions that you wish to gain fruit from. It is a guide to life itself and suggests the best time to do not only the important, but even mundane rituals of life like shaving, bathing, etc.
Muhurtha uses the person's horoscope, mundane influences, omens, prevailing religious & social customs etc., to suggest when the heavens are harmonious with an individual's desire and thus arrive on the best time to perform an action.
In jyotisha system of electional astrology, electional astrology is distinct from horary astrology; having separate logics, rules, factors for consideration, application & utility, though the fundamental rules of astrology are applicable to both the branches. Separate treatises are available on each of these two branches. Horary is predictive astrology while electional astrology is predictive, preventive & prescriptive in nature.
Considerations in selection of an election
To arrive at precise (Sukshama) election for a specific activity, following main factors are considered :
Nativity of the aspirant, his name, birth ascendant, lunar sign (the radical Moon sign), lunar asterism, his status (social status, age, religion, caste), place where activity is to be performed, social & religious considerations.
Availability of universal purified time length, Panchang Shuddhi [suitable availability of fundamental five elements of Hindu ephemeris – day, asterism, half lunar day (Tithi), Karan & Yoga], Special Muhurt Yogas, selection of purified time (year, month, solstice, Lunar half, hora). Presence of special Muhurt Yogas (specific combinations of weekday, asterism, lunar day, asterism transited by the Sun etc.) fortifies an election, which is hallmark of Hindu electional astrology. Suitability of specific elements of Vedic ephemeris has been separately prescribed for specific elections.
Bright & luminous Moon lays foundations of an election. No good election is thought possible without detailed consideration of the Moon, as other planets gets strength from the Moon, & the Moon is mind of the election.
Absence of universal malefic / prohibited time like– junctional points (Gandantas), eclipses, solar ingresses into a new sign, Vishti Karan, Mahapaatas, Latta-Paata-Baana-Sangrahas- Kartari-Dash Doshas, malefic Yogas, blind / deaf signs-months-Tithis, combustion of Jupiter & Venus, etc. etc.), malefic / poisonous Yogas (combination of astrological elements) the list is long to mention here all the factors.
Absence of malefic time for the doer – adverse transit of the Moon & significator of the event, adverse asterisms; adverse killer (Ghaata) ascendant-Tithi- day- part of the day- Yoga-Karan etc.
Favourable transits of planets for the native selected through various Hindu systems – like Gochar, Ashtakvarga, Vaam Vedha, Karam Vedha, auspicious asterism, Ansha Chakra, Sarvaobhadra Chakra etc., favourable Dasha (Hindu progression system), Omens, portents, proper Swar (mode of breathing), incantation of Mantras & Vedic hymns. Extensive rules have been laid down to fortify & purify the election chart & election ascendant.
The unsullied election – without any maleficence is the best but is rarely available. Next middling election, having more beneficence & less maleficence is used by specialist astrologer through his expertise after balancing the election & examining the antidotes. The election having lesser beneficence is used in emergency. In Hindu system, other styles of Muhurtas (elections) like Do Ghati Muhurt, Shivprokat Muhurt, Chaughadia Muhurt & Brihaspati Muhurtas are also in vogue.
Time range / limitations available to the doer, nature of activity – degree of its signification / importance. Some events are time bound like first feeding, Jaatakaram (propitiations just after birth) have to be initiated within specific time limit.
Antidotes: No election is feasible unless antidotes to the maleficence is available & the election is balanced by a specialist astrologer. He has to examine compliance to the laid down logics, purification of divisional charts; arriving at the precise moment to start the event for the best benefits of the aspirants explaining him the limitations & constraints, as perceived by the specialist astrologer.
[edit] Constellations (Nakshatra) : application in Vedic Electional Astrology
[edit] Extremely high auspicious Muhurtas in Vedic electional astrology
According to Vedic / Indian treatises on electional astrology three Muhurtas are held as most auspicious in initiating life activities. These are : Abhijit Muhrat, Sade-Teen Muhurt and Gau-Dhuli (12 minutes before and after the Sunset). Though these have been held as most auspicious in general but caution need to be exercised that their durations are not sullied by concurrent presence of inauspicious Yogas, universally accepted malefic time like eclipse and Ganadanta (junction points) etc, and adverse planetary transits for the doer etc. Further doers are cautioned to select the Muhurt properly as Abhijit Muhurt is suitable for worldly activities, and the Sade-Teem Muhurtas and Gow-Dhuli are suitable for auspicious and meritorious activities. Selection of an auspicious time is one of the highest skill of an electional astrologers but still the said auspicious Muhurtas can be effectively utilized when expert's services are not available.
[edit] Sade – Teen Muhurtas
1st Tithi of Bright Half of Chaitra (starting of new year), 10th Tithi of Bright Half of Ashvina (Vijay Dashmi), 3rd Tithi of Bright Half of Vaishakha (Akshay Tritiya- Parshu Jyanti) & 1st Tithi of Bright Half of Karttika are called "Sade-Teen (3 ½) Muhurt". The first three Tithis are counted as full & the last one as half Tithi, and constitute Sade - Teen Muhurt. These are among the most auspicious Tithis & auspicious (Manglik) deeds successfully fructify when started in these Tithis. It is held that there is no blemish during these Tithis. Meritorious activities (Punya Karma) such as recitation (Japa), penance (Tapa), donations, bating (Snaana), oblation to fire (Havan), burnt offering (Hooma) performed in this Tithi is extremely beneficial. Wearing sacred thread (Upnayana), marriage, ending of fast, house construction & entering thereof, travailing and plantation are prohibited during Akshay Tritiya as this Tithi is Yugadi Tithis; which was prevailing during start of Treta Yuga.
[edit] Abhijit Muhurt
Abhijit Muhurt is a powerful election as per Hindu astrology. Exponents of Vedic / Hindu electional astrology have prescribed Abhijit Muhurt (election) as on of the most powerful election & has general acceptance of exponents for initiating a wide spectrum of life activities, especially for fruition of worldly activities. Its Puranik name is Abhijit or Kutup Muhurt. This election (Muhurt) is also called Swami Tithiyansha', 'Vijay Muhurt' & 'Chaturlagna. It is ruled by Abhijit (Vega 19) asterism, a benefic one.
It has power to annihilate / destroy numerous malevolent influences in elections. However, its efficacy is enhanced by presence of special Muhurt Yogas, prescribed beneficial Hindu ephemeris (Panchang) elements, luminous Moon, fortified & purified ascendant, specific disposition of election related planets, favourable transits of the planets to the aspirant etc. etc. This election is that powerful that some exponents have praised to the extent that when a suitable election is not available, it can be selected for fruition of the desires.
This election is as or similarly powerful as Vijay Dashmi, Ravi Yoga, Sade-Teen Muhurt, Sarva-Karya-Arambha Muhurt, Gow-Dhuli, and Vijay Muhurt & Amrit Ghatis for initiating a wide spectrum of life activities.
Abhijit Muhurt starts from 24 minutes before the Local Noon Time (LNT) & remains till 24 minutes thereafter (total duration 48 minutes) for 12-hour duration of daytime. For variable length of daytime its duration should be calculated proportional to non-nocturnal (daytime) length. Proportional election time (total duration) of this election is 15th part of the daytime length. Thus at a place of activity on a given day the election shall be current during:
LNT ± [(proportional election time) ÷ 2]
=[(Sunset time + Sunrise time)÷2] ± [(Sunsettime - Sunrisetime)÷ 30]
For example if Sunrise is at 07.00 GMT & the Sunset time is 18.00 GMT at a place of an activity then, its total duration shall be 44 minutes (11 h ÷2 = 44 m). Local Noon Time shall be 12.30 GMT. The said election time shall start from 12.08 & ends at 12.52 GMT (12.30 ± 22 m).
In the corresponding duration during night-time, equally auspicious election prevails which is called Brahma Muhurt. Most of the authoritative writers have eulogized this Muhurt as suitable to initiate all types of works, & as the most powerful & efficacious Muhurt capable of removing plurality of maleficence (Doshas).
Lord Shiva killed a powerful demon named Tripurasur in this Muhurt. This Muhurt has blessing of Lord Vishnu who destroys innumerable Doshas with His Sudarshan Chakra during the currency of this Muhurt. Aspirants (not having in-depth knowledge of Muhurt astrology) may select this powerful election for day-to-day life activities without going into intricacies of the knowledge regarding election & ephemeris.
Exceptions : But this powerful Muhurt is not suitable for auspicious / sacraments (Manglik activities like marriage, Upanayana etc.) functions on Wednesdays, as it forms a malefic Muhurt. Further travel in the South direction should be refrained during this powerful election.
Some exponents have advised that ± 4 minutes of time (total 8 minutes) from the junction of forenoon & after-noon (mid-day), and also the first & latter part of night (mid-night - Mahanisha) are malefic & should be refrained in a benefic Muhurt (elections). Thus aspirants should not use this election during LNT ± 4 minutes.
Readers shall find that some of the countries whose birth took place in the said election have thrived & progressed merely by virtues of this powerful election.
[edit] Breath Astrology (Swar Shaastra) - its significance in electional astrology
Swar Shaastra – is a unique oriental knowledge based on breathing and speech. Sound is one of the most effective energies playing leading role in interpersonal and spiritual development. The exponents of jyotisha /Hindu / Indian astrology had mastered this knowledge and had gifted numerous treatises (Shiv Swarodaya, Samarsaar, Narpatijacharya, seven Yamalaas) on this subject. However, subtleties of its usage and application are still kept highly secret. It has been held that for maximum possible success in a venture, assistance from harmonious sound is essential.
As opined by exponents of Hindu electional astrology, electional astrology is not merely selecting a suitable moment through astrology, but ensuring that harmonious / beneficial environment prevails through incantation of holy sound / Mantras and the aspirant has the right mode of breathing to attain highest feasible success in the venture. This highly developed branch of knowledge has fundamental role in spiritual evolution of human being through various mode of breathing (Pranayam & Yogas), incantation of Mantras and fine art of music. Its derived applications are found in selection (election) of suitable time for initiation of life (and also day-to-day) activities based on name of person; judging compatibility among persons; using suitable style of breathing while initiation of specific activity; horary astrology, and providing vital assistance in clinching the issue; independent mode to decipher future; selection of breathing mode for health maintenance and removal of illness; enchantment of persons. It is a subject in itself and its application in electional astrology is very briefly given for delight and benefit of aspirants.
There are three modes of breathing, viz, flow from left nostril, flow from right nostril & flow from both the nostrils. The last mode is generally for a short duration when breathing switches from left to right & vice versa. Mode of breathing can be checked by examining air flow while exhaling. When breath is flowing from both the nostrils, the time is beneficial for worshipping & devotional activities only; all other activities must not be then initiated. Following are some of the specific activities which should be initiated when left or right nostrils are active. Some activities are listed under both the modes, which the aspirant may select based on the functional / piousness of the activity. In general for pious activities are initiated during currency of left nostril.
Activities recommended during running of left nostril:
It is beneficial / auspicious in long distance travels; charity; donation; wearing of clothes and ornaments; treaty & agreement; installation of God's idol; practicing Yoga; oblation of fire for peace; worshipping; marriage; administering of medicine, treating of difficult illness, removing poison; starting of education-singing-dancing-playing musical instruments; discussion on dance - drama; stationary & fixed works; entering into house - city - village; coronation, seeing king (high official, master, employer); sweet & friendly activities, making friends; auspicious deeds; teachings; initiation of Mantras; leaning of futurity knowledge; collection of domestic items - wealth & grains; starting of water tank-pond-well; peaceful & developmental works; trade (give & take by the hand presenting the mode of breathing); agriculture works, sowing seeds, buying agricultural land.
Activities recommended during running of right nostril:
Currency of breathing through right nostril is auspicious / beneficial for performing accurate & difficult works; writing alphabets; learning and practicing use of arms and weapons; destruction of enemy war, attack, encounter; enmity; inflicting punishment; breaking / splitting; gambling; bathing; taking food; sleeping; sex, visiting women & prostitutes, enchanting females, attracting others; creating fear, cruel works; short distance travel; entry into house; boarding ship / big boat; drinking intoxicants, administration of poison, removal of poison; usage of Mantras; study of holy books; study & teaching of difficult & destructive branches of knowledge climbing mountains & forts; riding on horse / elephant and transports; physical exercise; sale of animals; crossing pond-river; taking medicine; giving donations; sale-purchase; grinding of bricks-stones-wood-metals; conduction of 'Six-Works': "beating, charming, hindering, enmity, vexing & subduing".
Aspirant user of this knowledge must change mode of breathing suitably at the time of initiating specific desired activity. When left nostril is working, body gets cooled; while right nostril is working, the body gets heated up. Most of the practicing electional astrologers have observed that compliance to the dictums of Swar Shaastra is more efficacious than omens.
[edit] Books on electional astrology
[edit] Books on western electional astrology
- Carmen Astrologorum - (Dorotheus of Sidon, 1st century CE - book V (in Pingree edition of Arabic translation)
- Peri Katarkhōn - (Maximus - astrologer of 2nd century CE)
- Electional astrology – (Vivian E. Robson)
- Electional astrology – (Joann Hamper)
- Electional astrology : art of timing - (Mountain astrologer)
- Authoritative Text on Electional
- Astrology restored - (William Ramesey)
[edit] Classical treatises / books on Vedic / Hindu electional astrology
Following is list of the treatises on Vedic / Hindu / India electional (Muhurt / Muhurtha astrology. Election has also been dealt in other books but these are exclusive books on the subject. Electional astrology has also been dealt exhaustively / partly in some of the Samhitas whose list is also appended. These books are in Sanskrit, but those available in English translation or commentary are marked as * & in bold letters.
- Adbhuta Sagaar
- Brihannarad
- Brihatdaivygyaranjan
- Brihatjyotisaar
- Daivygyamanoranjan
- Daivygyamanohar Granth
- Ganak Mandan
- Gian Manjari
- Hindu Electional Astrology (in English)
- Jaganmohan Granth
- Jyotiprakash
- Jyotirnibandh
- Jyotish Ratan
- Jyotisha Tattwa
- Jyotishsaar
- Jyotish Chintamani
- Jyotirvidabharnam
- Kaal Khanda
- Kaal Nirnaya Deepika
- Kaal Prakashika *
- Madhaveeyam
- Muhurtarnava
- Muhurt Bhaskar
- Muhurt Chintamani *
- Muhurt Chudamani
- Muhurt Darpaan
- Muhurt Deepak
- Muhurt Deepika
- Muhurt Ganpati
- Muhurt Kalpadrum
- Muhurt Maala
- Muhurt Manjari
- Muhurt Martanda
- Muhurt Muktaavali
- Muhurt Prakash
- Muhurt Saagar
- Muhurt Sangraha
- Muhurt Tattva
- Muhurt Tattvapradeep
- Muhurtarnava
- Muktaavali
- Narpatijacharyaaswarodaya
- Naardeeya
- Nibandh Chudamani
- Poorva Kaalamrit
- Rajmartanda
- Ratan Koosh
- Ratanmaala
- Samarsaar
- Shiv Swarodaya *
- Vaivahaar Pradeep
- Vivah Kautuhal
- Vivah Patal
- Vivah Pradeep
- Vivah Saar
- Vivah Vrindavan
- Vyvahaarochchya
- Yoga Yatra
- Vyvaharsaar
- SAMHITAS : Following is list of Samhitas; treatises on mundane, omens, portents, electional, meteorology etc.
- Brahmarshi Samhita
- Brihaspati Samhita
- Brihat Samhita *
- Charak Samhita
- Guru Samhita
- Kashyap Samhita
- Lomasha Samhita
- Maanav Samhita
- Naagarjun Samhita
- Narad Samhita
- Shakalya Samhita
- Samaas Samhita
- Samhita Pradeep
- Samhita Sidhhanta
- Satya Samhita
- Sur Samhita
- Vaikhaan Samhita
- Vasist Samhita
[edit] Classical treatises / books on Vedic / Hindu Phonetical astrology
- Shiva Swarodaya—by Muktabodhnanda Saraswati
- Swar Yoga—by Muktabodhnanda Saraswati
- Swar Chintamani—by S Kannan
- Hindu Electional Astrology—by V K Shridhar
- Jyotish Me Swar Vigyan Ka Mahatava—by Kedar Dutt Joshi
- Narpatijacharya—by Narpatikavi
- Samarsaar—by Raamchandra
[edit] Notes and references
[1] Florida Vedic College
[2] " A Brief History of Astrology" by Dr. Jai Maharaj
[3] - "Astrology and Religion Nexus - see Hinduism & astrology
[4] "History Vedic Indian Astrology Hindu Astrology Branches of Astrology"
[5] "American College of Vedic Astrology" - Explore & learn about Vedic Astrology.
[6] - a tribute to a Vedic astrologer.
[7]- Astrology books: Horary and electional, page 1; Describes contents of electional activities covered in four famous books on Western Electional astrology.
[8] - Title index; no details of any Western electional astrology book of BCE era.
[9] "Electional Asrology" by Vivian B Robson - (p-3) "... for no book on Electional Astrology has ever before been published, ..."
[10] - Sage Vasishtha - author of many treatises on Yoga, Spiritrulism & Vedic astrology, according to Hindu Mythology.
[11] - "Vasishta head" - found to be around 3700 B.C.
[12] - era in which Sage Vasishtha existed
[13]-"Vasishtha Samhita" - One of the most ancient treatise on Vedic Electional astrology, written in pre Vedic era.
[edit] External links
- Articles on Vedic Astrology and Muhurta
- Extensive Article on Electional Astrology (by a Notable Modern Astrologer)
- Good Information regarding Electional Astrology (from Renaissance Astrology)
- Electional Astrology through History (from an astrology web site)
- Article on Importance of Muhurta by Shyamasundara Dasa
[edit] Electional Astrology Books
- [14] "Hindu Electional Astrology" - a compendium on Vedic / Hindu system of electional (Muhurt) astrology detailing their principles, prescriptions & database of over 250 elections of important life activities.
- [15]-"Vasishtha Samhita" - One of the most ancient treatise on Vedic Electional astrology, written in pre Vedic era.
