Yoga and Jyotish

Light on the Path

Yoga and Jyotish are both vedangas - limbs of Vedic knowledge that illuminate the path of human development. Where Yoga provides the methods for spiritual growth, Jyotish reveals the timing and karmic context within which that growth unfolds.

The Connection

Both sciences address the relationship between consciousness and cosmic forces:

Yoga works with:

Jyotish works with:

The grahas of Jyotish and the pranic forces of Yoga are not separate - they are different perspectives on the same cosmic energies operating through the individual.

Planets and the Subtle Body

Traditional texts correlate the grahas with subtle body elements:

The Chakras

Each graha has affinity with specific chakras:

The Nadis

The three primary nadis relate to cosmic forces:

Timing Practice with Jyotish

Jyotish can inform when and how to practice:

Planetary Hours

Each day is divided into planetary hours. Practice can be aligned:

Lunar Phases

The Moon’s cycle affects prana:

Waxing Moon (Shukla Paksha):

Waning Moon (Krishna Paksha):

Full Moon (Purnima):

New Moon (Amavasya):

Tithis

The lunar days (tithis) each have qualities:

The Birth Chart and Practice

The natal chart reveals tendencies that affect yoga practice:

Ascendant (Lagna)

The rising sign indicates constitutional approach:

Moon Sign

The Moon indicates mental-emotional patterns:

Fifth House

The house of intelligence and mantra:

Twelfth House

The house of liberation (moksha):

Dashas and Practice

The dasha system reveals which planetary energies are active:

Major Periods (Mahadasha)

Extended periods dominated by one planetary energy:

Jupiter dasha: Expansion of practice; finding teachers; study deepens Saturn dasha: Discipline intensifies; practice becomes more serious Ketu dasha: Strong pull toward liberation; intense meditation possible Moon dasha: Emotional processing through practice; bhakti develops Sun dasha: Identity transformation; finding one’s path

Sub-periods (Antardasha)

Modify the major period:

Remedial Practice

When a planet is afflicted in the chart, yoga practices can be remedial:

Sun Affliction

Weakness in will, identity, or vitality

Remedial practices:

Moon Affliction

Mental instability, emotional turbulence

Remedial practices:

Mars Affliction

Anger, impulsiveness, scattered energy

Remedial practices:

Mercury Affliction

Communication issues, scattered mind

Remedial practices:

Jupiter Affliction

Lack of faith, wisdom blocked

Remedial practices:

Venus Affliction

Relationship issues, lack of devotion

Remedial practices:

Saturn Affliction

Rigidity, fear, obstruction

Remedial practices:

Rahu/Ketu Afflictions

Obsession or detachment imbalance

Remedial practices:

Transits and Practice

Current planetary positions affect practice:

Saturn Transit

When Saturn aspects key chart points:

Jupiter Transit

When Jupiter aspects key chart points:

Rahu/Ketu Transit

When the nodes aspect key chart points:

Integration

Using Jyotish with Yoga:

  1. Study your chart: Understand your karmic patterns and tendencies

  2. Work with timing: Align practice with lunar cycles and planetary hours when possible

  3. Address afflictions: Use practice as remedy for planetary challenges

  4. Understand dashas: Know what planetary energy dominates your current period

  5. Track transits: Notice how major transits affect your practice

  6. Maintain consistency: Regardless of cosmic conditions, practice continues

The Deeper Purpose

Both sciences ultimately serve the same goal: liberation of consciousness from identification with changing phenomena.

Jyotish reveals the karmic patterns that bind. Yoga provides the methods to transcend them. Together, they illuminate both the territory of the journey and the path through it.

“The wise person uses Jyotish to understand karma and Yoga to transcend it.”

The planets indicate; they do not compel. Practice transforms even the most challenging chart into a vehicle for awakening.

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