By
Kowtha Lalith Manohar, India
Sri Manohar has been one of the finest scholars
of the Vedic sciences, continues to conduct Veda
Sabha started by his grandfather 119 years ago.
He is the National Vice Chairman of ICAS, Delhi.
He has been awarded the Life Time Achievement
Award by Raman & Rajeshwari Research
Foundation, Bangalore. Involved in activities with
Jagadguru Sankaracharyas of Sringeri Sarada
Peetham, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Puri
Goverdhan Peetham, Dwaraka Peetham,
Sakatapuram Sri Vidyaa Peetham,
Hariharapuram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Peetham
and Pushpagiri Peetham. Vipra Siromani
conferred by Jagadguru Sankaracharya of
Goverdhan Peeth, Puri and Guru Kainkarya
Seva Nidhi Conferred by Sri Ganapati
Sacchidananda Swami of Avadhuta Datta
Peetham, Mysore. In his spare moments he
composes poems in Sanskrit.
Introduction:
B
harat is the sacred Karma Bhoomi
and Punya Bhoomi endowed with
the majestic Himalayas, Vindhya
Range of mountains, forests like
Naimisaranya, Dandakaranya and other
places, and holy rivers like Ganga,
Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and
Kaveri flowing through the length and
breadth of the country. Brahmarishis and
Maharishis born in this land have handed
down an invaluable legacy and wisdom
through various classical texts. The Vedas
are the basis for our Sanatana Dharma.
These Vedas were identified by Sri Veda
Vyasa and passed on to his disciples. There
are six Angaas (limbs) to this divine
knowledge. Jyotisha Shastra is one of
them. The traditional Vidyaas of our
country are classified as 18.
For those who cannot read the Vedas, the
Itihasas and Puranas are a boon. Srimad
Ramayana is the Adi Kaavya, the first
treatise authored by sage Valmiki as per the
instructions of the creator under the
guidance of Sage Narada. The life of Sri
Rama, the Maryaada Purushottama, is vividly described in this treatise.

There are plenty of references to Jyotisha Shastra in Ramayana. Ramayana consists of seven
kandas (chapters). In every kanda we find references to Planets, Muhurthas, Vaastu and a
variety of other information useful in the day-to-day life. I will narrate a few of them here as
they come to my mind from the first six chapters.

1) Baala Kaanda
In the first chapter Balakanda, we have the reference to the birth of Sri Rama and his three
brothers. Here Valmiki narrated thus:

After 12 months, queen Kousalya gave birth to Sri Rama in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Navami
day. Kousalya delivered Sri Rama, the Universal God, in Punarvasu star in Karkata Lagna with
Jupiter (exalted) with Moon, Sun, Mars, Venus and Saturn also being exalted. Bharatha was born in
the star Pushyami in Meena Lagna. The twins Laxmana and Shatrughna were born in the star
Aslesha in Karkata Lagna on the next day.
The practitioners of astrology can draw the charts and have an in-depth study.

The marriage of Sri Rama and his brothers was performed in Uttara Phalguni star. King
Janaka tells the sages Vasistha and Viswamitra as follows:

Uttara Phalguni star is tomorrow. This star is proclaimed as very auspicious for marriage by the
learned.

Marrying four children of the same parentage in the same Lagna and at the same venue is
prohibited. That being so, how the marriage of Sri Rama and his three brothers on the same
day justified?

Though the father is the same person, the mothers are different. So the above prohibitory
rule did not apply in the case of Rama and Bharatha. But Laxmana and Shatrughna had the
same mother. In this case though the Lagna is same, the Navamsa Lagna is different. Hence
this is acceptable. This clarification is available in the commentaries on Ramayana which
have discussed these aspects elaborately with reference to other connected texts.

2) Ayodhya Kaanda
In the second chapter Ayodhya Kanda we find references to utpata-karaka planetary
combinations, references to dreams and their effect, the importance of Vaastu Shastra etc.

In connection with the coronation of Sri Rama, King Dasaratha informs sage Vasistha as
follows:

Tomorrow will be Pushyami star, very auspicious for the coronation of Sri Rama as the prince.
Please make arrangements for same.

After the coronation of Sri Rama was announced, Dasaratha sends word to Sri Rama. When
Sri Rama comes, he informs him as follows:
 Rama! I am getting frightening dreams. I have seen meteors falling with a thunderous sound. Oh
Rama! my birth star is occupied with the planets Surya, Kuja and Rahu. The Daivagnas state that
when such omens appear and malefics occupy the birth star as stated above, normally, the king will
either die or face a dangerous situation. Today the moon has risen in the Punarvasu star. Tomorrow
will be Pushyami which is specific for this auspicious function as per the Daivagnas. Hence you get
ready for the coronation and observe the required rituals.

Here we find references to evil dreams and conjunction of Malefics and auspicious occasions.
The astrologers are referred to as Daivagnas and Daivachintakaas. So a good astrologer
is one who constantly studies the planetary movements and the welfare of the person who
approaches him.

When Sri Rama was asked to go to the forests and Laxmana gets furious, Sri Rama pacifies
him in different ways.

Happiness and grief, peace and anger, profit and loss, smooth-sailing and mistakes all these happen
as per praarabdha. One has to understand the secret of this and conduct himself to make one's life
happy and peaceful.

After reaching the forest, Laxmana constructs the hermitage for the trio to live in. Here Sri
Rama tells Laxmana:
Oh Soumitri! One has to propitiate the Vaastu devatas in the new premises to have a long and happy
life.

We spend enormous amounts in constructing big buildings. We should be equally careful to

see that the required rituals are performed.

3) Aaranya Kaanda
Valmiki describes the event of Ravana taking away Janaki as Budhah Khe Rohineemiva. This
statement has got a very deep meaning. We should try to analyse and understand the same.

We find in this chapter some startling points. A bird (Jatayu) tells Sri Rama about Muhurtha.
A demon Kabandha, after being killed, becomes a divine personality and advises Sri Rama as
to what one should do when he is going through a bad (dasa) period.

Jatayu tells Sri Rama - Ravana has taken away your consort, Sita in the Vinda muhurtha. The
person who steals another person's property in this Muhurtha, will not be able to retain same with him
or enjoy same. The owner will get back the property. Ravana did not think about this while taking
away Sita. He will definitely perish like a fish caught in the hook.

Kabandha's hands were cut off by Rama and Laxmana and he was cremated. The demon gets
His original Gandharva form and advises Sri Rama not to get worried. He tells him about
Sugriva and advises as under:

He states that one who is afflicted by a bad dasa will get relief with the help of another who is in a
similar state. Rama's wife was stolen by Ravana and Sugriva's wife also was taken away by Vali. So
both are facing identical problems. Rama is nearing the end of his bad dasa. So also is Sugriva. So
their friendship will be beneficial to both of them. This could be perceived by Kabandha after he was
released from the curse and attained his original form. There is a deep meaning in these words of
advice.

4) Kishkindha Kaanda
Valmiki describes the fight between Vali and Sugriva as a fight between Kuja and Budha
Budhaangaarakayoriva. This point has to be considered well.

The monkey army led by Angada and consisting of Jambavan, Neela, Hanuman and others
reaches the shores of the sea. The bird Sampathi wants to devour them. Angada narrates the
story of Rama. Then Sampathi tells them about the whereabouts of Sita.

Staying here, I am able to see Janaki and Ravana. The sorrowing Sita is kept in Lanka and is being
guarded by female demons. You will be able to find her, the daughter of Janaka there. We have the
golden eyes that can see things that are miles away.

Here we should note that even birds have divine vision by virtue of the penance done by
them. Sampathi is definite about what it said. Daivagnas with the background of penance and
knowledge of Jyotisha Shastra will be able to give amazing predictions.

5) Sundara Kaanda
We find references to Vaastu Shastra in this chapter. Hanuman sees the layout of Lanka and
the magnificent palaces of Ravana. Valmiki describes this as follows:
Hanuman has seen the magnificent palaces of Ravana brimming with prosperity. These buildings are
absolutely bereft of any Vaastu defects. They appeared as if they were built by Maya himself in
accordance with Vaastu Shastra.

Here the reference to Maya, the author of Vaastu Shastra is to be noted. This implies that the
Vaastu Shastra was there even before Ramayana period.

At the first sight of Sita in Ashoka Vana, Hanuman was moved and exclaims as under:

Here the sage describes Sita as the most venerable lady and the consort of the Guru of Laxmana
who is an ardent disciple of his Guru (Rama). If such a lady is afflicted by grief we have to
understand that time is insurmountable.

The statement Kaalo hi Durathi kramah appears for nearly more than 50 times in this
treatise. The sage is drawing the attention of the readers to the undisputed fact that Kaala
is insurmountable.

One has to bow down before the Kaala Purusha. One's wisdom lies in identifying the
auspicious and inauspicious segments of time and act in a wise manner taking guidance from
the Shaastras and Gurus.

The narration of her dream by Trijata to the female demons is very interesting to analyse for
those who are conscious of swapnas (dreams) and have an interest to read Swapna Shastra.

6) Yudha Kaanda
In this chapter we find that the muhurtha for starting from Kishkindha to Lanka for the battle
has been fixed by Sri Rama.
 Oh Sugriva! Now the Sun is in the mid-heaven and the muhurtha is Vijaya. So let us start our
journey now. Today is Uttaraphalguni star and tomorrow will be Hastha star. Let us start with the
army of all the Vaanaraas.

After the death of Indrajit, the grief-stricken Ravana, in a fit of anger goes to kill Sita. At that
time, his minister by name Suparsva stops him and advises him to fight with Rama and gain
victory. He advises Ravana as under:

You get the army ready today, the chaturdasi day of Krishna Paksha. Tomorrow is Amaavasya when
you should go to fight Rama to gain victory.

Amaavasya is good for demons and bad for others. Hence Rama finds it very difficult to kill
Ravana.

He was tired. At that time sage Agastya appears before Rama and gives the upadesha of
Aaditya Hridayam. He advises him to repeat it three times with pointed devotion and that he
will kill Ravana now. That was meticulously followed by Sri Rama and Ravana was
conquered. Righteousness prevailed over evil.

Conclusion

E
ven a Purana Purusha, Sri Rama, the divinity personified, had to undergo trials and
tribulations due to Kaala mahima. Nobody could be an exception.

From the above we find that Kaala (time) is very powerful. It has no friends or
enemies. It goes on doing its work. This can be put under check to some extent with divine
help and guidance of a Satguru. Constant and pointed devotion to the Supreme is the only
way to get the divine help.

Jyotisha Shastra is as old as Vedas. It is a divine science. It helps us like a torch light in
darkness.
This should not be misused. The Jataka Chakra enlightens one about the cumulative effect
of his/ her past Karma. This science is closely knitted with Karma Siddhantha. The result of
Punya karma (righteous deeds) will be peace and happiness and the result of Paapa karma
(unrighteous deeds) will be grief and misery. So one has to be very careful in his/ her
actions. One should take the guidance from our Shastras and proper Gurus before swinging
into any action.

Let us all take the help of this divine science and shape our future. Let noble thoughts come
to everyone of us from all directions. May the supreme shower his blessings on everyone in
this universe to enable them lead a righteous life thereby bringing peace, happiness and
prosperity to everyone.

Om Shanti