Understanding Hindu Astrology

Quick Answer

Hindu astrology, called Jyotish Shastra or the science of light, is a Vedic system that uses the positions of celestial bodies to understand life patterns and timing. It is based on the sidereal zodiac and uses the actual positions of stars, unlike Western tropical astrology. The system considers nine planets called Navagraha, twelve zodiac signs, twenty-seven lunar mansions called nakshatras, and twelve houses. The birth chart or kundali maps these at the moment of birth to reveal life tendencies, karmic patterns, and auspicious timing.