Vashishtha Siddhanta ( Siddhanta Jyotish ) History of Astrology | Romaka Siddhanta
It is difficult to tell the beginning date of astrology in India. The scholars who introduced astrology are clearly mentioned. The key scholars are Surya, Pitamah, Vyasa, Vashishtha, Atri, Parashar, Kashyap, Narad, Garg, Marichi, Manu, Angira, Lomesh, Polish, Chayan, Yavana, Bhrigu, Shonak , Bhardwaj.
All the books written by these scholars are not available in their complete form. The evidence are also in fragmented part.
Vashishtha Siddhanta Description
Vashishtha Siddhanta describes about the motion of sun and moon in the solar system.The motion of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn , and Mercury has been mentioned. These books are capable to tell that what was the motion of planets in previous years, and how did these planets revolved in past ages.
Vashishtha Siddhanta Importance
Vashishtha Siddhanta has been mentioned briefly in Pachsiddhantika. In this Siddhantha other than motion of the planets , planetary signs have also been mentioned. It is similar to Pitamaha Siddhantha , but has more pure principles in many levels. Just like Pitamaha Siddhantha , Vashishtha Siddhanta has also believed that when the sun rises , then it is increased equally each day.
Comparison of Vashishta Siddhanta with other
Scriptures
Other than this, Vashishtha Siddhantha also describes about ascendants.Which shows which part of the Sun has emerged in the eastern horizon.But the scholars of those times were not aware of the difference between sun and moon and their apparent motions. Presently used Vashishtha Siddhanta is not related in any way with the Vashishtha Siddhanta of Varahmihira’s time.
It is believed that Vashishtha Siddhanta was more developed than Pitamaha Siddhanta, but was low in level as compared to Surya Siddhanta.
Romak Siddhanta
In ancient times astrology was at its best. Due to mishandling of these scriptures in the middle sge period, today we don’t have the compete versions of these books.The astrologers of that time were masters in assessing the motion of planets, time periods, etc.
The mathematical rules of that era , was given the name of principles. Many books have been written on the principles of astrology.Some of them are : Surya Siddhanta, Parashar Siddhanta, Vashishtha Siddhanta,etc. Today we’ll study about Romak Siddhanta :
What is Romaka Siddhanta
This is a book on principles of mathematical theory of ancient times.It is based on the principles of Yamana astrologer.Yaman astrology was particularly prevalent in Greece, Egypt etc countries.
Romaka Siddhanta Scripture
Romaka Siddhanta gives the data on Sun and Moon and also describes in detail about Months, Exhausted Month, Dates and Exhausted Dates.
The citizens of Babylon worship 5 planetary gods.These five planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.Romaka Siddhanta mentions the worshipping of these five planets.
Romaka Siddhanta is a form of Lomash Siddhanta only. Romaka word was introduced in ancient scriptures for the citizens of Roga country .The science associated with astrological calculations is one of the major principles in the scriptures. As these principle books were composed in Roman , so they were named Romanak after its name.