Rao — Vedic Astrology: An Integrated Approach (2000)

Author: P.V.R. Narasimha Rao First published: July 15, 2000 (Guru Pournima) 2010 update note: Author acknowledges refinements over the decade; still shares freely.

Author Background

Indian-American software engineer near Boston. IIT Madras BTech Electrical+Electronics Engineering (1987-1991); Rice University MS (1991-1993). Sanskrit diplomas at remarkable young age: Sanskrita Bhaashaa Kovida from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (age 10), Sanskrita Bhaashaa Visaarada with distinction from Baroda board (age 11). Self-described "ardent student of Jyotish and designated Jyotish Guru at Sri Jagannath Vedic Centre."

Lineage

Dedication acknowledges three teachers:

1. Father Sri P. Venkata Subrahmanyachalapathi Rao (first guru)
2. Dr. B.V. Raman (Hindu Astrology Renaissance figure, How to Judge a Horoscope)
3. Pt. Sanjay Rath (current guru, founder of Sri Jagannath Vedic Centre)

Rao is the third Sanjay-Rath-direct disciple voice in the vault after Andrew Foss (Yoga of the Planets, 2016-2017) and Visti Larsen (Jyotiṣa Fundamentals 2nd ed, 2012).

Scope

Integrated-systematic-textbook covering six parts:

• Part 1: Chart Analysis (rasis, planets, upagrahas, special lagnas, vargas, houses, karakas, arudhas, aspects, argalas, yogas, ashtakavarga, longevity, strengths)
• Part 2: Dasa Analysis (Vimsottari, Ashtottari, Narayana, Lagna Kendradi, Sudasa, Drigdasa, Niryaana Shoola, Shoola, Kalachakra)
• Part 3: Transit Analysis (rasi transits, Bhrigu transits, ashtakavarga transits, kakshya, sodhya pinda, murthi, vedha, tara, nakshatra aspects, body-parts, latta, Sarvatobhadra Chakra)
• Part 4: Tajaka Analysis (annual+monthly+60-hour charts, Muntha, aspects, Harsha Bala, Pancha Vargeeya Bala, Lord of the Year, 36 Sahams, 16 Tajaka Yogas, three annual dasas, Sudarsana Chakra Dasa)
• Part 5: Special Topics (birthtime error, rational thinking, remedial measures, mundane astrology, muhurta, ethical behavior of a jyotishi)
• Part 6: Real-life Examples (synthesis methodology demonstrations)

Distinctive Methodological Positions

• Integrated Approach manifesto: Parasara/Jaimini false-binary correction; arudhas, argalas, chara karakas, rasi dasas all from Parasara (BPHS), not Jaimini-distinct
• Twins Acid Test: any astrological doctrine that gives same result to people born 1-2 minutes apart fails as a model
• Rational Thinking: explicit P(A|B) vs P(B|A) statistical-epistemological framework applied to Vedic principles
• Three-Dasa Vantage: Narayana / Vimsottari / Kalachakra as three epistemic lenses on same life-kaleidoscope
• Savana 360-day year in Vimsottari (per father's teaching) vs Sanjay-Rath's solar 365.2425-day year
• Whole-sign house manifesto: rejection of bhaava-chakra/chalit-chakra/Sripathi/Porphyry methods
• Jagannatha Hora: free astrology software (Windows) by author for computations

Free Distribution

Available at http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/ — author shares freely with all.

Companion Reference

Rao recommends Pt. Sanjay Rath's Vedic Remedies in Astrology and Crux of Vedic Astrology — Timing of Events as further reading. Dr. B.V. Raman's How to Judge a Horoscope Vols I & II and Three Hundred Important Combinations are also recommended.

Tone

Engineering-rational. Mathematics-and-physics-textbook style. Explicit exercises with answers. Many real-life examples (Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Vajpayee, JFK Jr, Bill Gates, Bill Cosby, Ronald Reagan, Reagan, Bill Gates, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Hitler, Akbar, Shivaji, Aurobindo, Sri Aurobindo, Chandrasekhara Saraswathi, P.V. Narasimha Rao). Tamil-Sanskrit closing benediction.

Type classification

practitioner with primary-text-citation-density on Parashara's Brihat Parasara Hora Sastram (BPHS); systematic-textbook scope.