Jyotisha is the Hindu system of astrology, one of the six disciplines of Vedanta, and regarded as one of the oldest schools of ancient astrology to have had an independent origin, affecting all other schools in and around India. The Sanskrit word derives from jyótis (disjointed as "Ja"+"Ya"+"O"+"T"+"ish" to get the root meaning as "water or birth"+"in addition to" + "earth" and "stars" + "knowledg
eable" equating as one who is knowledgeable, or enlightened with knowledge, of birth, fate, and relationship to water, earth and stars) or which means "light, brightness", but in the plural also "the heavenly bodies, planets and stars"."Jyotish" is a Sanskrit term derived from the word "jyoti" or light. Jyotish is the Vedic science of Astrology and Astronomy. It is the science of the luminaries. The science of Jyotish is based on the ancient Sanskrit scriptures, the Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas and Samhitas and the Rishi-vaakyas, or the statements of great sages like Maharishi Parashara, Vedavyasa, Jaimini, Bhrigu, Narada, Garga etc. Jyotish comprises both of astrology and astronomy. Jyotish is one of the six Vedangas, or corollaries to the four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva). Pandit Harihara calls Jyotish "the eyes of the Vedas", therefore Maharishi Parashara also advises to all Brahmanas (saintly priests or intelligent, pious persons) to study Jyotish.
