Lessons in Vedic Electional Astrology – Part 1By V K Shridhar, India Editor: Maurício Avila, Brazil V. K. Shridhar is author of I compendium on Vedic Muhurt astrology titled “Hindu Electional Astrology”. A voluminous book containing all aspects of Muhurta that cannot be found in any other book. His work has received rave reviews and has been proclaimed as the best work on Muhurta so far compiled by any Indian author. Mr K N Rao has written the foreword for the book, which is available only on Saptarishis Astrology Book store http://shop.saptarishisastrology.com He can be contacted [email protected] at t is fundamental for a branch of Astrological knowledge to be useful, that it possess three essential ingredients (viz. prescriptive, preventive & predictive). Muhurta (Electional branch) is the most useful branch of the Vedic astrology well meeting all these essentials requirements, which has withstood test of time for, at least, the last two millenniums. How to mitigate the ill effects of planets (karamkand propitiations)? When should we initiate the different life activities to assure the success of them (muhurtgian - election branch)? Answer these questions were the two primary purposes of Vedic astrology. Our Trikaaldarshi (the highest intuitive power) Sages have blessed us with numerous treatises on Muhurta, with discriminative knowledge and logic for its application for all the time to come. unlike in Western Astrology . Muhurta has emanated from Vedas. religious dictums have precedence over dictums or aphorisms on him. Social conventions and customs have acquired an overriding importance over religious customs and dictums. should all other elements are equal among the two aspirants. by no means claims to be a specialist in Hindu Electional astrology. war. It’s a matter of fact that nowadays. Vastu and other life activities were not thought possible without the proper guidance of Muhurta Astrology. but an ardent student of the branch. but all agree that the first book on Horary Astrology was written in India.and have different set of rules. For the benefit of the humanity through the advice on discriminatively starting life activities . subtleties and secrecies along with fundamentals of this branch shall be discussed with hope of renaissance of this branch of Vedic astrology. SwarShaastri opines that the final outcome of a current activity fundamentally depends upon current Swar. Samritis. but not in Astrology.no activity can ever fructify if there is an adverse omen at the time of initiation. In Vedic System. society and the country. even in the basic astrological principles followed in both of its branches. must invariably be considered while deciding an election. Puranaas. no other exponent has written treatises on more than one branch of Astrology. In the series of lessons on Vedic Electional Astrology. what amply proves that Muhurta branch was also prevailing in that era. people seek for super specialists in the numerous fields of knowledge. so much that exponents on this subject advise that these have the final say . Electional Astrology is distinct from Horary Astrology . This author. travel. He opines that one should not live in a place where there is no astrologer to guide day to day activities Muhurta). Indeed. There are no Hindu mythological and canonical texts in which some reference on Muhurta is absent.the fundamental purpose of Vedic astrology. There are divergent opinions on the birth place of Astrology. Those experts in dreams believe that it has precedence over the omens. . Each branch of Astrology had its own specialised exponents. willing to share his understanding with the readers with the main purpose to enable them to decipher the treatises and to specialise this subject. by revealing how effectively this can used for practical purposes. Excepting Acharya VarahaMihira. With regards to Muhurta.T he purpose of this series of articles analyzing this subject is to apprise the readers about the usefulness of this knowledge in attaining great success in all life activities. which was undoubtedly born in India. The solemnization of Samskaras for purification. scriptures and other religious and holy mythological books as well. Omens and portents at the time of initiation of the elected activity foretell the ultimate result. In this way. Shrutis. social customs followed over time by family. Shaastra. although some stray references on Muhurta are generally found in treatises of other branches. being most used to elected the time for activities which are done only once (e. thus very rarely references are found in treatises for Muhurta of papa karmas (bad activities). the suitable Muhurta can be profitably elected for minor activities. . and Muhurta is not an exception. Tara. Muhurta is decided on Manglik/benefic/auspicious activities. However. Our Sages had long back laid down rules in Muhurta treatises regarding these subtle aspects which need to be purposively decoded keeping a holistic approach.it is an holistic approach for attaining Siddhi). Muhurta covers all activities from conception till the last rites after death. It is a widely accepted notion that all kinds of works can be initiated during Navratris. Nevertheless. planetary significance. for a higher degree of success and pleasure in the desired activity. Gurus and good wishes from associates.medicinal bathing). For success in a venture. Dasha of planets (Hindu progression periods). purification of environments of the place of activity (through use of ornaments. Culling elections for individuals considering his radical features is a hallmark of Vedic Muhurta Astrology. purification of environment (by chanting mangalik songs/Vedic hymns). purification of celestial environments (by conducting Yagna/Havanas). This is a concept not traceable in recently invented Electional Astrology of the west (Horary Astrology).g. Universally auspicious time mentioned in Panchangas for various Muhurtas cannot be suitable in all cases. When more than one activity is performed simultaneously. AkshyaTritiya. transit. Vijay Dashmi and others significant auspicious days.g. and support from nature . No single branch of knowledge has the solution for all. the other branches are supportive. interrelationship of planets (compound friendship). elders. divisional charts of the individual aspirant play a significant role in deciding the Muhurta for the specific individual. For Upanyanana it is required and for tonsure is not when both are done simultaneously). Muhurta must meet the individual requirements. observation of omens and portents. giving alms and food to the needy.Swar is one of the most exalted knowledge. seeking blessings from God. skills and knowledge for the specific activity are fundamenta and. Vedic Muhurta Astrology is the only known branch of knowledge which is able to guide an aspirant in choosing the most auspicious time to initiate life activities. Muhurta is required for the major activity (e. Muhurta is not required for daily shaving but for tonsure). and it is the highest kept secret in Indian mythology. in order to attain a higher degree of success in a life activities it is essential to select the most appropriate moment of time (through Muhurta) considering the purification of his body (through bathing . Its primary function during Vedic Era was to elect suitable time for each Samskara. Weekday.and each one of these elements has its own role and contribution in bestowing its effects. Numerous factors are considered for Kaal Shuddhi. From the universally auspicious time durations. . specific suitable elements have been prescribed. including some planetary Yogas. H ow each element should be selected and other important features of Vedic Muhurta Astrology shall be detailed discussed in the following lessons. are also analyzed in Muhurta. How the different Tithi-Weekday-Nakshatra combinations produce different effects regarding the success of activities is another singular feature of Vedic Muhurta Astrology. Tithi. the most suitable time for the aspirant performs an activity is chosen. Yoga & Karan) .the five elements (viz. Useful guidelines are available for fortification and purification of Ascendant and divisional charts. In addition to these. For each activity. which includes the absence of 21 Maha Doshas. It is very rare to find a moment of time fully pious without traces of Doshas. there are special planetary Yogas in election that are unique to this system. the balance of the election with antidotes and sanctification of adverse elements has been described in the treatises for the benefits of the aspirants.Shuddha Kaal (pure time) for Muhurta is fundamentally examined with reference to the Panchanga . in this way. Muhurta is the soul of time personified and is the knowledge capable of guiding aspirants to attaining higher and higher success in life activities. Nakshatra. usually followed in natal horoscopes.