Jyotish or Vedic astrology, as it has come to be referred to in the West in modern times, is one of the most ancient and divine shastras (sciences) of the ancient Hindus, whose civilization dates back tens of thousands of years.
The ancient sciences are said to have been revealed by various deities to different sages at myriad junctures of time in order to help human beings survive in this world. As such, Lord Shiva is said to have revealed Jyotish to Goddess Parvati, his consort, at her request to him to provide a science that could help the common man overcome suffering by knowing what the future holds in store for him or her. Devarshi Narada (sage of Gods), who was present at the time of this revelation, is said to have carried it to Prithvi Loka (Earth), the abode of human beings.Jyotish, in the strictest sense of the word, means Surya (Sun) or the science of the movement of the heavenly bodies {those that shine as Jyaeit (jyoti), itself means light}, and the division of time dependent on them.
It can also mean the Light of the Lord, and interpreted by many as being so, as it brings the ray of hope in the state of darkness for the Jataka (querist) as it is able to foretell when a good period in the life of the querist shall begin.
Thus, Jyotish is the study of the movement of heavenly bodies on the backdrop of time and the impact of such movement of these heavenly bodies on the nature, nations, and human beings. Astrology is said to be the eyes of Vedas (the ancient Hindu scriptures) as it tries to see that which is not visible to the naked eye. Astrology is therefore referred to as Vedanga (limb of the Vedas).
It might interest the readers to know that Vedic means of /from an altar or even a wise man and not of/belonging to Vedas. The correct nomenclature should be "Vaidic" which does mean that which is derived from/connected to/belonging to Vedas. However due to the long period of usage of the word Vedic, it has come to indicate the sciences related to Vedas and thus we use the same nomenclature, that is Vedic astrology to refer to Jyotish.
