Brahma taught the Vedas and vedāñga (which includes Jyotiṣa) to his mind-born son Nārada. Some jyotiṣa teachings are available in the Nārada saṁhitā. In turn devarṣi Nārada passed this knowledge to Maharṣi Saunaka. Maharṣi Parāśara was the disciple of Maharṣi Saunaka and received the complete knowledge of the Vedas and vedāñga from his spiritual master in addition to substantial learning from his most illustrious grandfather Maharṣi Vasiṣṭha.
His magnum opus Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra is in the traditional form of dialogue with his śiṣya Maharṣi Maitreya wherein the humble disciple makes sincere queries and is taught the complete Horā śāstra. An exactly similar dialogue exists between Parāśara and Maitreya in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. Therefore it is imperative to also study this purāṇa to develop a better understanding of the teachings of the seer. In our tradition three books are considered the foundation –
Overview
The Parāśara Jyotiṣa course is to be taught in the tradition of Puri, India and includes spiritual instructions to develop the mind in order to grasp the entire subject. The student is to develop a keen understanding of Vedic astrology and will master all the śloka of Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra (BPHS).
After successful completion of the five year course students will receive the title of Jyotiṣa Paṇḍita from Devaguru Bṛhaspati Center [under the by-laws of the governing body Śrī Jagannāth Center®]. Students will be required to take an oath for this certification that entitles them to practice as Vedic astrologers and to mentor apprentices besides being qualified to teach ‘Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra’ in the tradition.
The course involves study of the monumental classical Sanskrit literature authored by Maharṣi Parāśara – Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, which forms the foundation of Vedic astrology. Every śloka will be examined in depth and Sanskrit words explains and translated in English. All study will be with ample illustrations as is the method of the tradition which shows the use of the teachings. Rather than just remember śloka by rote, which is also encouraged, it is better to remember them through application which causes the knowledge to sink deep. The student will develop a thorough understanding of the principles involved and the tradition encourages in-depth thinking to bring out jyotiṣa consciousness.
English
International English is the medium of instruction
The Parāśara Jyotiṣa Course is taught in English and the Sanskrit śloka are translated to bring out the meaning and application.
- All interactions between the students and teachers are in English
- The online classes are in English and can be easily understood
- There are video-slide presentations and as much as about 250 hours of recordings are available in each of the academic years
- In addition, various pdf documents and webpages can be studied
- Conversations in the Forums are in English
Schedules
Every mentor has his own schedule for teaching the Parāśara Jyotiṣa Course.
The Himalaya Batch (start 2010) is taught by Pt. Sanjay Rath. The Second Himalaya Batch (start 2013) has Mrs.Sarbani Rath as their mentor. The first Virgina Batch (start 2014) will have Andrew Foss Ph.D as their mentor. Others will be starting in subsequent years.
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Locations
The location for Contact Classes are chosen by the mentor of the batch and this may not be the most convenient to reach but will surely be the place most convenient to teach and learn jyotiṣa without disturbances. Some locations used for PJC are listed below. Please check with your mentor about your contact class location and other details about getting there, costs and arrangements made.
