Traditional Hindu ethos gave importance to planetary positions and their influence. The impact or influence is through correlating the current planetary positions with that at the time of an individual’s birth. One of the first tasks still followed, is to have an astrologer map out a birth chart as soon as a child is born. The chart serves as a baseline for future analysis.

The study of planetary positions is a science, developing and questioned. Traditional India relied on an astrological science that was an ancillary development to the vedas. This ancillary science called jyotisha (jyot – light, isha – emerging from ishvara or a godly being) is widely adopted in Hindu practices.

As an ancillary part of the veda, we refer it to as the limb of the veda or vedanga (anga – limbs).

Like the western zodiac system, jyotisha has its own framework, assumptions, and guidelines. Hindu traditional beliefs ascribe and give importance to jyotisha. This science places importance on the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. An astrologer scrutinizes the position and influence of these planetary objects on a person’s birth chart.

A believer in jyotisha would be keen to begin a piece of work or perform a festive event like a wedding in a state of favorable planetary alignment or an auspicious day. Through correlation of the birth chart and the current planetary positions and process of deduction, an astrologer arrives at an auspicious day.

Should then one believe in this science?

Looking at this question unemotionally provides a straightforward answer. The ancillary science is based on a set of assumptions, interpreted by an individual and then correlated. Through a series of correlations, one may expect certain patterns to emerge. It implies that the quality of these patterns depends on the validity of the assumptions, and the skill or knowledge of the individual performing the correlation. Think about it like scientific experiments or observations.

We also have to look at the intent or purpose to leverage this ancillary science. Most commonly, this would be to drive towards a desired favorable outcome by performing actions on a specific day.

The underlying belief here is that an “auspicious” day will drive towards a favorable outcome. Now, spiritually, this belief runs counter to the message of the Gita and Upanishads. The spiritual learning from these authoritative scriptures is clear – we do not control the outcome. An outcome is a confluence of so many factors, some known and many unknown. The best we do is to put in all our effort, think judiciously, and perform righteous actions with no malicious intent. It is unfair for us to delegate this to an astrologer.

Then, how do we reconcile with the traditional belief?

As a belief, if an individual wants to follow and arrive at the concept of jyotisha defined auspicious days and moments, it is their choice. Key to remember though is that it is only a belief.

Spiritually, or from a divinity perspective, every moment, every instant, every day is a divine moment. From the moment we wake up, each quantum is a blessing. There is no separate concept of auspicious days or times. The current moment is the one to maximize and no one knows the future.

Krishna, the preceptor of the Gita says:

सर्गाणाम् आदिर् अन्तश् च मध्यं चैवाहम् अर्जुन ।
अध्यात्म-विद्या विद्यानां वादः प्रवदताम् अहम् ॥ ३२ ॥

sargāṇām ādir antaś ca madhyaṃ caivāham arjuna |
adhyātma-vidyā vidyānāṃ vādaḥ pravadatām aham || 10.32 ||

I am the beginning, middle, and end of all manifestations. I’m the science of spirituality. I’m the knowledge of self. I’m the principle and conclusion that asserts the logical truth.