Qualifications of Vedic Astrologer

Today many people are wondering about the status of Vedic astrology, not only in this country but also in many other parts of the world where people are interested in this science. Many people are being deceived by self-proclaimed astrologers who are not qualified to take up this occupation or is this science of Astrology wrong? No, Astrology, when practiced under traditional Vedic guidelines and principles is perfect and correct, but unfortunately most of the today’s practicing astrologers are not qualified enough and many of them do not even fulfil the basic criterion of being an astrologer. Practicing it and charging for the services is not really genuine. Here is the list of some of the basic qualifications of a genuine & bonafide Vedic Astrologer.

A true Astrologer has to be a Brahmin, not by birth, but by qualification, which means that he is naturally, and by instinct inclined to perform the duties of a Brahmin. A Brahmin has been defined as per his qualities described in Sri Bhagavad Gita 18.42:

A person  possessing above qualities is always pure in mind, thoughts, intelligence and actions. Such people work for the welfare & betterment of others and are never selfish. These people take only as much as they need for their maintenance and believe in charity and any thing they acquire more than their needs, they give it in charity and welfare of the society. Being austere, tolerant and honest, Brahmins are never envious or greedy as such they are free from bad qualities and the vices of materialistic world.

Peaceful and self controlled mind imparts the right direction to one’s wisdom, thoughts & actions. Meditation of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna helps one to attain such mental stature and purity of mind, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness that the qualities of Brahman are naturally manifested in the life style of such people.

Knowledge is a tool that identifies and differentiates people and their activity and depending upon the reasons and need, people attain knowledge for variety of requirements. Likewise Vedic Knowledge is an essential tool of Brahmins. This Vedic knowledge can be classified into six branches, which every Brahman should study and teach:

1. Siksha (Pronunciation)

2. Chhanda (Recitation of Vedic mantras)

3. Nirukta (Science of etymology & lexicology)

4. Vyakarana (Grammar)

5. Kalpa (Sequence of Vedic sacrifice and rituals (viddhi))

6. Jyotish (Astrological & astronomical calculations)

Siksha and Chanda teach us how to pronounce the Vedic Mantras properly. Nirukta and Vyakarana teach how to understand the meaning of the Vedas. While Kalpana and Jyotish teach how to use the Vedas. Jyotish is also regarded as Vedachakshu or "the eye of the Vedas", because it helps us to see past, present and the future. Apart from all this, a genuine Vedic Astrologer has to learn six branches of Jyotish in order to acquire complete knowledge of astrology. These six branches of Jyotish are as follows:

1. Gola        (Astronomy)

2. Ganit (Mathematical astrology)

3. Jataka (Natal astrology)

4. Prashna (Horary astrology)

5. Muhurta (Electional astrology)

6. Nimitta (Omens).

Today with the advent of computers most of the astrologers depend on them for the mathematical part of horoscope calculations. Predictions in astrology can never be correct unless and until the astrologer is through with its mathematical part which helps in basic analysis of the horoscope.

Knowledge of Nimitta or Omens is hardly given any attention and is more or less neglected and left behind is Jataka, Prashna and Muhurtha of which Jataka is practiced the most. It is also rare to find an expert in performing Prashna and Muhurtha.

The knowledge attained by a Vedic astrologer by the virtue of above gets refined and perfected with wisdom, time, experience and practice. To sum up & conclude, the basic and necessary qualification of a Vedic astrologer is that he has got to be a saintly person or a sadhu with adequate knowledge of Sanskrit , mathematics and astronomy.