Astronomy
examines the position of the planets and other heavenly bodies.
It does not concern itself with how they affect the life of the
world or the individual. It is not its function to find out how
far the celestial bodies are beneficial to us or how they may be
made favourable to us. Such functions belong to astrology.
Jyotisa includes both astronomy and astrology.
Telling
us about the results of performing a ritual at a given time,
keeping in mind the position of the planets, the sun and the moon
and the naksatras ( asterisms ), comes under the purview of astrology. The hours
favourable to the performance of Vedic rites are determined
according to calculations based on the movement of planets. All
this entails mathematical work.
The
measurements of the place where a sacrifice is to be conducted
(yajnabhumi) are based on certain stipulations. These must be
strictly adhered to if the sacrifices is to yield the desired
benefits. Mathematics developed in this way as a handmaid to the
Vedic dharma.
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"Hindu Dharma" is a book
which contains English translation of certain invaluable and
engrossing speeches of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji (at
various times during the years 1907 to 1994).
For a general background, please see here
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