Ayanamsa Meaning - Ayanamsa

Ayanamsa is the Sanskrit term in Indian astronomy for the amount of precession. The angular difference between the Vernal equinoctial point and sidereal zodiac is known as Ayanamsa. The calculation of Ayanamsa is very important for determining planetary positions, divisional charts, Dasas, transits, etc. Using the system of Ayanamsa can result in major changes in Dasa balance or high level Varga charts like Shastiamsa (D-60).

Ayanamsa is the difference between tropical and sidereal zodiac. The actual value is about 24°, i.e. this value must be deducted from the tropical length of each planet to get the sidereal length.Planetary longitudes are measured from the vernal equinox which gives us sayana positions. After applying ayanamsa correction to this value, we get nirayana longitudes.Western astrologers use sayana positions of planets whereas hindu astrologers use nirayana system.

Ayanamsa Chitrapaksha gives the correct position of Astronomical data in advance to plan and perform events accordingly. It is believed that our present will be strong and perception accurate only if we know the shape of the future. It helps in determining the accurate position of celestial bodies i.e. The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and mean Rahu for every day at 5.30 a.m. IST and Herschel, Neptune and Pluto at every six days interval.

A lot of vedic study has been performed to determine Ayanamsa Chitrapaksha. Ayanamsa calculations are useful for all practical purposes like calculation of accurate Yoga for the day, making Varshaphala and calculating dashas.

Different Terms Used In Ayanamsa

The angular difference between the Vernal equinoctial point and sidereal zodiac is known as Ayanamsa. Let us now understand the Astronomical latitude along with Ayanamsa.

Celestial Latitude: Celestial latitude is also known as ‘Vikshep’ or ‘Shar’. To know the position of a celestial body or a planet, an arc is drawn from the planet to the ecliptic. The angular distance of that arc from the planet is called celestial latitude.

Uttarayana and Dakshinayan

Uttarayana

It refers to the period when the Sun enters Makar Rashi and starts its journey towards north direction. This is called Uttarayana. Uttarayana begins from Makar Sankranti and ends on Mithun Sankranti. In this period, the duration of the day increases with every passing day.

Dakshinayan

The Sun is known to be in Dakshinayan from Karka Sankranti till Dhanu Sankranti. The duration of the night increases with every passing day in this period. The signs of Sankranti in this phase are not tropical which means these are sidereal.

There are two hemispheres. If the universe is divided into 2 parts. The northern pole is above the middle line and the southern pole is below the middle line. The former part is called northern hemisphere and the latter part is known as southern hemisphere.

Equinox: There are two spheres known as celestial spheres and equators which intersect each other at 23 degrees and 28 minutes. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points. One of them is known as Vernal Equinoctial point and the other is known as Autumnal equinoctial point.

In this way, Sun while revolving in ecliptic crosses the celestial spheres two times. At that time, day and night are equal. The changes in ecliptic leads to rising of Sun in northern direction for 6 months and in southern direction for 6 months. Uttarayan and Dakshinayan are formed because of this. As the Sun moves away from point of Ayana, the duration of a day increases.