Home

What is Puja?

Types of Pujas

Special Pujas

Kali Puja

Brahmasthanam Temple

Astrology Readings

Order a Puja

Astrology Readings

About Jyotish

Frequently Asked Questions
(Basic information needed, what to ask during a jyotish session, and more)

Jyotish Tour: Cities, Dates and Contacts

Jyotish ["the science of illumination"] is Vedic astrology-a subtle art that has been practiced in India for thousands of years. The study of jyotish is considered a requisite aspect of an orthodox Vedic education and has been passed down along an unbroken teacher-student lineage.

A jatakam [birth chart or horoscope: chart or diagram representing the positions of planets at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth] is prepared based on one's birth date, birth time and birth location and a jyotishi [Vedic astrologer] can interpret the horoscope to help guide us as we move through the various phases of life. For example, by analyzing the jatakam, an experienced and virtuous jyotishi can interpret our potential for success or failure with regards to various undertakings. They can also help us to determine astrologically auspicious times to commence important new activities, such as moving into a new house, getting married or starting a new business venture, etc. The horoscope at the commencement of any activity is important because it bears influence on the success of that activity. The horoscope can offer insight into our psychological tendencies and strengths as well.

Another important aspect of jyotish is to assist us in removing various obstacles we may be facing in life-be they financial, social, professional, medical or otherwise. Analyzing the jatakam, the jyotishi is given a glimpse into our prarabdha karma-the positive and negative circumstances fated to arise in our life based upon the various virtuous and selfish actions we've performed in past lives. The jyotishi can then recommend certain Vedic rituals that can be performed so that the negative karma can be mitigated to various degrees. In this way, we can find relief from difficulties we are currently facing and even prevent other difficulties from even arising. Of course, there are times when the karmic imprint is too severe to remove through such rituals, at which point we have no choice but to accept our situation.

Rectifying the Jatakam

If you do not know the exact time of your birth, it is okay. If you have it narrowed down to within a one- or two-hour time range is enough. From there, the jyotishi can determine the precise time of your birth based on the dates of major life events that have already taken place in your life. Thereafter the jyotishi can move on to the future.

Making an Appointment

Please contact the local coordinator to make an appointment on the dates listed below. The readings are half an hour each. The jyotishi will be serving in a volunteer capacity, with all the proceeds from their consultations going directly to support Amma's humanitarian activities throughout the world, thereby benefitting many poor and suffering people.

Some Points to Remember Before Your Appointment

 Pray for God's grace to allow the astrologer to accurately analyze your jatakam so that you can be benefitted by the reading to the maximum extent possible.

 Please bring the exact date, place and time of birth for yourself and/or your family members. If you have accurate birth details, a 30-minute session can usually cover one person's chart for current trends and 1-3 major questions (OR) two charts and one question based on each chart. This is a very generic guide, but it should hopefully help in knowing what to expect in a 30-minute session.

 If your exact time of birth is unknown, try to narrow the possible range down to the smallest window of time possible and inform the jyotishi accordingly. For example, if you're confident you were born between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., tell this to the astrologer; do split the difference and say 5:15. In some cases, determining the time of birth can take nearly 30 minutes-even longer if the time is not known within a 30-minute range.

 If this is your first consultation - even if you are confident of the birth time-please bring the dates of two to three major events in your life so the time can be verified. For example, the date of your marriage, birthdays of your children, deaths of close family members, the date you graduated from college, started a new job, relocated to a new place, etc.

 When it comes to questions regarding profession, education, marriage, relationships, children, psychological issues or relocating, it is best to be as specific as possible. For example, questions such as "I'm a doctor and plan to open a cancer-research lab with my friend. Is that a good idea?" are much easier to analyze and respond to than "I'd like to try something new in my work; is it a good time?" (In the former, the birth date - and birth time, if possible-of the potential business partner would be useful.)

 To find a muhurta [auspicious time to start an important activity], please be very specific. For example, if you just bought a new house and want to find an auspicious occasion to move in, request the astrologer to look for the best date and time given your time constraints. For example: "Between January 20 and March 15, anytime on the weekends or 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. weekdays."

 Please bring a recorder or notebook if you would like to take notes.

Questions to Ask

 Auspicious time to start an important activity

 Matching of jatakams for relationship-compatibility analysis-both personal and professional

 General life trends as indicated for the next 20 to 30 years

 Specific trends for health, career, education, travel, peace, family, spiritual growth, etc

 Whether to undertake a certain activity during a certain time frame

Visit Amma.org

Visit Amritapuri.org

Special Pujas