MA-ASTROLOGY -II YEAR - PAPER- II - LESSON - 9

NOTES PREPARED BY SREENIVAS DESABHATLA

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAYANA AND NIRAYANA SYSTEMS

1. There are several differences between Western and Hindu methods. Western astrologers

follow a system of presenting the planets as they are in the sky, which is known as sayana

system. Hindu astrologers follow Nirayana system wherein the shift of the earth is taken

off called ayanamsha. Earth would not occupy the same position after say, 366 days.

There will be a difference of approximately 50" of arc per year. As this reference plane

will be changing, Hindus follow fixed zodiac. The time when the two zodiacs coincided (0

degree Ayanamsha) is a point of dispute.

2. There are broadly speaking 3 Ayanamshas, Raman, KP and Lahiri. By my experience

spread over several years, I finally decided to adopt Lahiri Ayanamsha - after conducting

many observations on the charts, which would remarkably change when different

Ayanamshas were used. For convenience sake, the Lahiri ayanamsha found in ephemeris

are rounded off. I would rather calculate the desired ayanamsha on an excel sheet and use

that in my calculations. Fortunately, some software have provision to make corrections to

Ayanamsha.

3. In Hindu system, there are several time scales called dashas. These are sub divided into

antardasas (bhuktis). Some of the dashas are: Vimshottari (120 years), Tribhagi (wherein

Vishottari periods are divided by 3), Astottari (108 years), Shodashottari (116 years),

Chaturvimshottari (124 years), Shatabdika (100 years), Shashtyayini (60 years),

Dwadashottari (112 years) in addition to Kalachakra dasha, Chara, Stira, Nirayana-sula

Dashas of Jaimini system. Vimshottari dasa that treats the human life span to 120 years is

most reliable one and is also widely followed.

4. My rationalist friend (who has kept One Lakh Rupees challenge to astrologers) finds that

Astrologers use these time scales to "suite their needs". I would propose an analogy with

the transmission of light. Light traveling in a straight-line principle explains how a sharp

shadow is formed while the wave theory of transmission explains whom the same light

moves to form semi-shadows like the illumination inside the house! Nirayana-sula dasha

sees the life in a different perspective whereas Vimshottari in other! Being a practicing

Astrologer of long standing, I find that Vimshottari dasha covers most aspects of life.

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Perhaps, you may like other systems as well. Each period begins with reference to the

Moon's position in a certain star.

5. The results of the periods and sub periods are got by a study of position, inter

relationship, ownership, association etc., this time scale is not found in the Western

system. Jaimini system Employs Stira, Chara and Sula Dashas and in this system, the

signs (rasis) aspect each other and not planets! My rationalist friend has not thought of

this concept as he has gone through Jaimini Sutra.

6. Divisional charts are derived from the basic chart. Navamsha, Dasamsha, Saptamsha etc,

are generated by certain rules and these Divisional Charts are used to study a particular

branch of life- like Dasamsha is used to study the professional front of the native.

7. Followers of Jaimini system as well as Sayana (Western) System are very few in India. In

Hindu system, the transit of planets are considered with reference to the Moon sign. In

Western System there are no such elaborate literature and it is merely aspects formed by

the planets with reference to cusp points. Here also, 180 degree (mutual aspect) is

considered as "difficult' (evil) transit, whereas in the Hindu astrology, mutual aspect is not

considered so. In western system, the mutual aspect of Guru And Shukra (Both Benefic

Planets) is said to be evil one. But, in Hindu astrology it is an excellent aspect.

8. In my humble opinion., I found the Hindu method of Transit more accurate. Hindu

astrology has well developed methods for Matching Charts For Marriage/ Business

Partnership. Election astrology (muhurta) is well developed in Hindu astrology by study

of stellar behavior. In Western System, the matching is done merely by characteristics of

elements of signs like Watery, Earthy, Fiery, Airy. etc, and Muhurtha is done with

reference to Significators of the natal chart.

9. In Western system the Annual chart used to find the results of  a year from birth day to

next birth day is merely a simple mathematical progression of natal chart.  But, the Hindu

system uses different charts as on birth day, a chart is made for the time when Sun enter

the same position as in the natal chart and position of other planets are found out.  Even a

dasha system is used.

10. When it comes to mundane charts, in Western world charts are made for a new year which

eventually begins at zero hours  standard time of a country which is  in no way related to

planetary movement, not even on Sun! Hindus celebrate new year Ugadi when Sun and

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Moon are together i.e. the new year beings when the distance between Sun and Moon is

zero degree and there should be a full moon in the star Chitra afterwards.

11. I am not belittling the Western system, I am comparing the tool boxes. Hindus have a good

tool box and the Westerner's is still primitive.  Astrologer should know when and how to

use them. Otherwise tool box becomes a show piece like the big law manuals in my

lawyer's office - unused, untouched but useful to impress others!

12. There is so much we should learn from our western counterparts.  We simply put the

board "so-and-so astrology research centre". What research went on by Dr. so and so

Ph.D? He was busy matching the charts.  The name of his studio was very impressive. 

Even after 25 years of practice, I can not call myself a research scholar. I am glad many of

my juniors are in research or have already completed

SAYANA SYSTEM NIRAYANA SYSTEM

1. Western System follow Movable Zodiac 1. Indian System (Vedic) follow Fixed

Zodiac

2. This time scale is not found in the

Western system. They use Progressed

Horoscope for timing of Events.

2. There are several time scales called

dashas for Timing of Event. These are

sub divided into antardasas (bhuktis)

for Fine tuning.

3. No Dasa Systems like Vedic Astrology 3. There are several Dasa Systems called

Vimshottari (120 years), Tribhagi

(wherein vishottari periods are divided

by 3), Astottari (108 years),

Shodashottari (116 years),

Chaturvimshottari (124 years),

Shatabdika (100 years), Shashtyayini

(60 years), Dwadashottari (112 years) in

addition to Kalachakra dasha, Chara,

Stira, Nirayana-Sula Dashas of Jaimini

system.

4. This time scale is not found in the

Western system.

4. Each period begins with reference to

the Moon's position in a certain star.

The results of the periods and sub

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periods are got by a study of position,

inter relationship, ownership,

association etc

5. In Western system there are no such

elaborate literature and it is merely

aspects formed by the planets with

reference to cusp points.

5. The transit of all the planets are

considered with reference to the Moon

Sign.

6. The Birth sign is the Sun sign and

decided as per the date of birth and

Month

6. Star in which Moon is posited becomes

the Natal sign which is the starting point

used in Transit

7. W.A. doesn't have Varga Charts for

narrowing the Prediction to Microcosm.

But recently Some Western Astrologers

started using the Varga Charts in a

different name as 9th Harmonic Chart

12th Harmonic Chart for Navamsa and

Dwadasamsa.

7. Divisional charts which are derived from

the Natal Chart like Navamsha,

Dasamsha, Saptamsha etc, are

generated and these divisional charts

are used to study a particular branch of

life. Like Dasamsha is used to study the

professional front of the native,

Navamsa for Marriage, Saptamsa for

Children etc,

8. Two Lumineries-Sun-Moon, 8 Planets -

Mercury- Venus- Mars-Jupiter- Saturn-

Uranus- Neptune- Pluto - In total 10

Planets are Used in Predictive

Astrology. He speaks for himself.  He

avoids quoting without his own

comments

8. Two Lumineries, 5 Planets- Mercury-

Venus- Mars- Jupiter-Saturn, and two

Nodal Points called as Rahu and Ketu-

In Total 9 Planents are used in the

Indian Nirayana System for Prediction.

There is no mention of the newly

discovered Planets anywhere in the

Indian system.

9. But recently some Astrologers combine

both the system and use Sayana House

Division in a Nirayana Chart and extra

saturnine planets.

9. Benefic and malefic Planets are as per

Aspect

10. Jupiter, Venus, Waxing Moon and Un

associated Mercury are considered

Benefic and the rest are considered as

Malefic.

10. Aspects are considered between the 11. Where as in Indian Astrology the

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Longitudes of the Planets Aspects are between Rasis.

11. In Western Astrology Trine (120degrees)

and Sextile aspects give Good results,

where as Square Aspect is Bad

12. There are special aspects to Jupiter,

Mars and Saturn which are considered

as Full. Aspects of Natural Benefic is

Good, whereas Aspects of Natural

malefics is bad

12. Regarding Aspects also there is

difference. 180 degree (mutual aspect)

is considered as "difficult' (evil) transit,

13. Whereas in the Indian astrology, mutual

aspect is not considered so. The mutual

aspect between Jupiter and Moon is

called as Gajakesari Yoga which gives

excellant results.

13. In Western System, the mutual aspect of

Guru And Shukra is said to be evil one

14. But, in Hindu astrology Guru And

Shukra are benefic planets. and the

Aspect is an excellent one

14. In Western system, the matching is

done merely by characteristics of

Elements of signs like Watery, Fiery,

Airy and Earthy.

15. Hindu astrology has well developed

methods for matching charts for

marriage/business partnership. Like

Ashta Koota Guna Matching and Dasa

Koota Guna Matching.

15. 10th House is considered for Father 16. 9 th House is for Father and Sun as

karaka for Father and Moon as Karaka

for Mother.

16. Social conditions of different places

have a bearing upon the Prediction.

(May be different from Birth Place)

17. In Nirayana System the Horoscope is

casted to the place of birth and is

followed for the future prediction

though the place of residence is

different.

17. In Sayana System GMT is taken as the

basis for calculating the sidereal time.

18. Actual position of planets without any

correction is followed in Panchangas

with glaring difference in thithis.

18. The Day and date change from midnight

in this system and there is no basis with

reference to the Planets,not even the

Sun.

19. The day is reckoned from Sunrise to the

next day Sunrise in the Indian system.

Sun is considered the Soul and the

prime indicator of Kala Purusha.

19. In Western system Raphael Ephemeris

is used

20. Lahiri Ephemeris is taken as the

Standard one in India.

20. Starting point is the beginning of the 21. The starting point of the Lagna and

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Cusp. other Bhava is the Mid Cusp

21. Planet in their own House is the

Strongest

22. Exaltation of the planet is considered as

the Strongest.

22. No Friendsship or enemity between

Planets. Only Aspects are considered

as Good and Bad.

23. Natural Friendship and enemity between

Planets are considered. Ex. Sun and

Saturn are natural enemies.

23. Planetary Ownership is given to Outer

Planets to Saturn's Orbit. Scorpio Lord

is Pluto - Aquarius Lord is Uranus and -

Pisces Lord is Neptune.

24. Whereas in Indian system Scorpio Lord

is Mars- Aquarius Lord is Saturn and -

Pisces Lord is Jupiter. There is no

mention of the newly discovered

Planets anywhere in the Indian system.

24. Election is done with reference to

significators of the natal chart.

25. Election astrology (muhurta) is well

developed in Hindu astrology by study

of stellar behavior.

25. In Western system the annual chart

used to find the results of  a year from

birth day to next birth day is merely a

simple mathematical progression of

natal chart

26. But, the Hindu system uses different

charts as on birth day, a chart is made

for the time when Sun enter the same

position as in the natal chart and

position of other planets are found out. 

Even a dasha system is used

26. When it comes to mundane charts, in

western world charts are made for a

new year which eventually begins at

zero hours  standard time of a country

which is  in no way related to planetary

movement, not even on Sun!

27. A western astrologer uses the word

'research' with due respect and care. .

Not only in astrology in any field, the

westerner has lot of dedication and tries

to achieve near perfection.

28. The W.A. uses Synastry for matching of

haroscopes. They don't give much

importance to Kuja Dosha. or ill placing

of planets

27. He will say, "My Guru teached me like

this but I do not know whether it

works". He speaks for himself.  He

avoids quoting without his own

comments.

28. Mangalik Dosha (or Kuja Dosha) is used

to know something about the future

Marriage Partner

. 

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