What are Remedial Measures in Vedic Astrology?
Vedic astrology is an ancient Sanatan Hindu science, the study of which explains how planets, stars and other celestial bodies transit around the cosmos and change their positions from time to time. It also interprets and indicates how their positions, transitions and conjunctions affect humans and other beings on Earth. As per Vedic astrology, there are 9 planets, 12 zodiac signs, 27 nakshatras and 12 houses. Every house and planet symbolise some characteristics of human life.
How is the Birth Chart Conceived?
The 9 planets and 12 zodiac signs are spread in 12 different houses and their positions depend on the time and celestial alignments when the native is born. It is like a blueprint of planetary alignments and positions during a person’s birth and is called a birth chart or horoscope. People also call it Kundali or Janam Patri.
As per Vedic astrology, our birth chart is also a blueprint of our past life karma, based on which the present life is planned. For bad karma, one gets unfavourable placements of planets, nakshatras and zodiac signs in their chart and for good karma, one gets favourable placements of planets, nakshatras and zodiac signs. But this is not as simple as it sounds. Every planet represents some attributes and each one has some characteristics.
For example, if an individual’s chart shows he or she has pitru dosha in it, it means that a native has failed to fulfil pitra karma in his or her past life or somebody from his ancestry may have failed to perform pitru karmas in the past. Sanatan dharma guides its followers to follow karma (duty) and dharma (righteousness) and leave the results to God. Respecting and performing our duties to our parents and elders in the family is one of the karmas that every individual should follow that leads to dharma. If one fails to follow, he or she may get pitru dosha in their chart, and that may bring countless problems related to pitru dosha into their lives. Similarly, if one has done virtuous deeds in his past life, he gets a very peaceful, happy and successful life. So, this way, our birth charts are the blueprint of our past life karma.
Every karma we do and dharma we follow is recorded in this Brahmand (as per the desires of Brahma, who is the centre of all energies in this cosmos) and it remembers our good and bad deeds and based on our activities, we get our next life. Hence, people who are absolutely free of sins (that is, those who have not even killed an ant) get moksha (salvation). They become free from this constant cycle of birth and death and attain Brahma Lok, becoming one with Brahman (the Supreme Cosmic Spirit).
What are Remedial Measures in Vedic Astrology?
Vedic astrology provides remedial measures, which is a very unique factor of Vedic astrology. Remedial measures in Vedic astrology (Jyotish Shastra) allow individuals to modify their karma by following certain remedial rules in Vedic astrological ways.
Vedic astrological remedies are the solutions provided to afflicted people to overcome complicated situations. In Vedic Hindu astrology, the main three remedies are – mantra, tantra and yantra. However, there are other known remedies, like the use of gemstones, metals, and other objects, to correct the unfavourable conditions of life. Astrologers can recommend relevant Vedic astrological remedies as per the horoscope and these remedies include yantras, mantras and tantras. These remedial measures are effective ways to enhance the positive atmosphere and remove the evil obstructions in our lives.
Past Karma and Astrology
Astrology guides us towards the path and outcomes of karma done in the past. Additionally, it gives us the freedom to shape the future through the position of the nine planets. When a planet is in an exalted position, its effect is usually gentle, happy, prosperous and spiritual, suggesting positive, moral, ethical and virtuous karma done in past life activities. Similarly, if any planet is in a bad position and natives show wrong and negative traits, it indicates that the natives may have abused, mistreated or engaged in immoral, unethical or unvirtuous behaviour in their previous lives, creating obstacles, sufferings, challenges and failures in their present lives. Therefore, their past life karma is brought into this life and given an opportunity to correct the mistakes made in the previous life.
How Do Remedial Measures Work in Astrology?
In Vedic astrology, every single position, movement and conjunction of the planets has some meaning. Also, houses, aspects, compatibility and incompatibility of planets also play a vital role in indicating and guiding how different forces and energies have interacted in the past. It also suggests how the coming together and working together of different energies in the past resulted in a harmonious or hostile outcome.
The astrological remedial measures are reworking past karma in a planned way to get a positive outcome. Every single planet in the solar system emits specific energy and by using specific remedial tools and methods, these planetary energies can be influenced and mollified. Remedial measure in astrology are conscious efforts that involve various remedial forms, like engaging in virtuous deeds, yoga and meditation, chanting (Japa) of Vedic hymns (Mantras), fasting (Upavash) on particular days, wearing of gemstones (Ratnas), observing some dharmic rituals, performing puja for various deities, wearing amulets (Yantras or Kavachas), donating to the needy (Daana), engaging in Vedic fire-rituals (Yajnas), etc.
How Do Remedial Measures Help in Solving Karmic Doshas?
Here are some upayas (remedial measures) that are followed in solving karmic problems in Vedic astrology. These are done through Tantra, Mantra, Yantra and Mudra, along with many other external activities. These upayas involve our body, mind, speech and objects around us.
There are four basic types of Upayas
- Vachak (upayas involving speech) – mantra, chants
- Mansik (upayas involving mind) – yoga and meditations
- Kayik (upayas involving body) – kirtan, offering selfless services (Seva) to others
- Tantrika (upayas involving external objects) – mantra, yantra, yoga, gems, rudraksha, mudra, plants, rituals, etc.
The other division of Upayas
- Satvik Remedies – yagya, yantras, mantras, daan, anushthana, varta, etc.
- Rajsik Remedies – gemstones, anushthan and daan on a large scale.
- Tantrik Remedies – special herbs and mantra
In simple words, the most effective upayas or remedial measures, are:
- Prayer to Kuldevi or Kuldevata (family deity) and your Ishta (your personal deity)
- Chanting mantras
- Wearing pure gemstones
- Worshipping yantras
- Wearing Rudraksha bead
- Performing Punya Kriya (good deeds) suggested by spiritually evolved astrologer
- Donations are another form of astrological solution, or upaya.
- People can also engage in pilgrimages, penance, etc.
Why Do Many Remedial Measures Not Work as Per Expectations?
We need to understand that each of us is part of this huge Brahman (the Supreme Cosmic Spirit). Every planet emits divine energy and, hence, is connected to the divine beings that they symbolise. Thus, we need knowledge and divine blessings to see the remedial measures work as per our expectations. Also, it is crucial to note that incorrect or improper use of any remedial measure can be detrimental. Through remedial measures in astrology, individuals can strengthen the benefic planets if they are weak in their birth chart or horoscope and also pacify the planets in an unfavourable position in the birth chart.
The purpose of astrological remedies is to restore balance in an individual’s life by attracting positive energies and reducing negativity, evil thoughts, fear, anger, stress and unnecessary material love
