Vedanga Jyotish Chapter 4
“ASTRO” means light, star,
eye, Sun or rays. Since time immemorial, the Sun, Moon, Star, planets, etc.,
were recognized as sources of light and of enjoyment. The effect of the rays of
such bodies on various living and non-living beings, regular seasonal climatic
conditions, relation of these to human life are causes for the innovation of
this science. The knowledge of “Direction, Place and Time” is only due to the
Sun, Moon, stars etc. The ancient man was well acquainted with this knowledge.
Initially, the thought in
human mind was generated only due to Astrology. The observations of stars in
open sky, identifying them, their structure were treated as Astrology.
There are 6 vedangas.
They are
1. Siksha(Phonetics),
2. Vyakarana (Grammar)
3. Chandassu(Meter)
4. Kalpa(Rituals)
5. Niruktha (etymology) and
6. Jyotisha.
Vedas are Apouresheyas . Knowledge came from by hearing. They are called shrutis. The above 6
angas are essential for knowledge which gives scientific , dharmic and
adhyatmic intelligence.
Ramayana and Maha Bharata and smruthis and puranas are called Upangas.
Sikha (phonetics): -its given by sikshana. Its
pronunciation of various varnas, swaras.It explains alphabetical varnas. Among
30 Scripts available on this subject, yagnavalkya siksha and siksha
paneniya are prominenet.
Vyakarana:- Grammar.
Panini and others written books on Vyakarana. It helps command over the
language and pronunciation.
Chandas:- Meter Pingala and others took initiation on
literature on chandas.The beauty of sloka or sentence depends up on proper
usage of varna laya etc.
Nirukta:- etymology . Yaska is the pinoneer of Nirukta
which deals with various mantra devats, the usage of phonic sounds of a word in
appropriate place, expression, linguistic grammar etc.
Kalpa:-Rituals. Shrouta sutras, griha sutras, sulbha sutras
are called as Kalpa. Daily life principles are descriobed in shrouta shutras.
The principles of family, wife and husband duties etc are stated in Griha
Sutra. While following yagnas, the size of Yagna kundas and other related
things are dealt in Sulabha Sutras. Katyayana, Gothama, parashara wrote sulabha
sutras.
Jyothishya:-Vedas cannot be understood with out knowledge
of Jyothishya. All other Vedangas are needed for Social relationship of
human beings. Though Astrology deals
with day to day life of human beings yet connected with heavenly bodies, light
, time and direction.
This science started initially as special science among the
Vedangas.it took its prominence in day to day life activities and well beings
of human beings. So astrology is treated as Eye of Veda purusha.
Astrology is acclaimed as a crown among vedic science just
as sikha pof peacock and gem on head of a snake.
No comments:
Post a Comment