Astrology was born when the universe itself was born. Sage Garga says that this science is the creation of the creator Brahma himself who handed it down to him during creation. Garga passed it on to other sages and in this way it was spread all over. The recorded evidences reveal that the Yavanas were very learned astrologers and that they lived many centuries before the versatile genius Varahamihira, who praised in his books the progress made by the Yavanas in this science.

In India the renowned scholars who expounded, explained and interpreted this science were Garga, Vriddha Garga, Asita, Aryabhatta, Bhrigu, Brihaspati, Badarayana, Bharadwaja, Kapila, Manu, Parasara, Hrishiputa, Simhaacharya, Saptarishi, Saraswatha, Satyacharya, Yavanacharya, Varahamihira and many others.

In the opinion of Dr. Thomson, in olden days the Akkadians and the Sumerians observed the heavens and heavenly bodies and tried to note their course. The Babylonions and Egyptians attributed no less influence over the animate and inanimate objects of the earth.

Some scholars opine that Astrology was originated in Chaldea from time immemorial and later Astrology came into the hands of the Greeks, It is interesting to note that one of the Greek Horoscopes written in Papyrus about 2000 years ago is still kept in the British Museum. On scrutiny of the monuments and inscriptions and also on the basis of scientific investigations it is learnt that this science dates back to 5000 B.C.

The greatest dramatist of all ages William Shakespeare in his immortal creation ‘Julius Caesar’ showed how a prediction about the demise of Caesar had come true. This proves that Shakespeare also had inflinching faith on astrology. He wrote;

“It is the Stars, the stars above us.
“Govern our conditions.”
The world famous philosopher Dante says :
“Oh glorious stars
Oh light impregnated!
With mighty virtues from which
| acknowledge.”

On the eve of independence of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru said in his memorable speech “Tryst with destiny, At the stroke of midnight hour while the world sleeps, India will awake to life, and freedom.” The exact moment of historic transfer of power from the Britishers to Indians was fixed up by the astrologers in Kashi.

Lord Mount Batten in a staff meeting before 15th August 1947 said, “there is complete lack of high level advisers on astrology on my staff.”The western world, primarily wedded to materialistic thoughts, has been taking very keen interest in Astrology, In United States of America many universities have included astrology in their curriculum. There are schools of astrology in Germany, Switzerland, Holland and France. Had it not been a science to their estimation, the research minded westerners would not have attached such importance to astrology.

The saint-pervaded land and the cradle of the global civilization, India attained highest degree of wisdom in all spheres since the days immemorial. Here the saints, whose range of knowledge crossed the limits of time, could know of the past, present and future of not only individual beings but also everything of the world from their seat of meditation and contemplation. The saints subsequently invented a process and method through which, provided one is perfect and contemplative, can forecast the past, present and future of individuals, societies, countries and the world at large. In this regard the names of Maharshi Bhrigu, Parasar, Jaimini, Barahamihira etc. worth special mention. With the passage of time the study and practice of astrology sprang up in China, Egypt, Arabian countries and many parts of Europe, as we have already discussed.

Since then the intellectually developed circles of India through centuries, have been found to show unstinted faith in Astrology. Till the other day the elites having the western education had also inflinching faith in Astrology. To name a few among them are the first two Presidents of India with legendary learning and wisdom Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Radhakrishnan, the former Prime Ministers Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai. The outstanding scientist Dr. Meghnad Saha, being the President of the Calendar (Panjika) Reform Committee, was closely associated with a stream of astrology. He had keen interest in Astrology.

But it is a matter of deep regret that a section of people who claims to have modern and scientific education, is found to term astrology as a bundle of superstitions without going deep into this science. They also claim that they have science-awareness. But their claims and activities do not manifest their awareness about the method in deciding whether a subject is science-based or not. As ill luck would have it, our ancient records are mostly scattered or lost for ever, eventually presenting a sense of mysticism and superstition and ultimately giving rise to contradictions or doubts. It appears that astrology has become a subject of sheer contempt and to a section of so-called modern educated people, it has become a matter of vilification too. In view of the above scenario, a considerable amount of responsibility lies with the sincere and perfect astrologers to hoist the flag of astrology high through a process of upgradation and putting it in a scientific condified system. The World Health Organisation, whose scientific standing is beyond all shades of doubts, have in the most unequivocal terms admitted the importance of astrology.

One of its recent reports admits that the study of astrology and palmistry surely helps in diagnosing diseases. The World Health Organisation bulletin also revealed that medical practitioners of the erstwhile Soviet Russia attached much importance on medical palmistry in matters of diagnosing diseases.

Extensive research activities are urgently required to be undertaken so as to widen the new era of this Divine science to illuminate the life of mankind with the light of wisdom and to rejuvenate astrology to its ancient glory. This prompted the establishment of the Astrological Research Project and Viswa Jyotish Vidyapith.

It is an accepted truth that the Astrological Research Project is a pioneer organisation of its kind in the whole of India. By dint of its attempts to endless study and researches aiming at re-vitalizing astrology to suit the current perspectives, the good name of the organisation has spread throughout the various corners of the third planet of the Sun. The project is in liaison with the astrological community the world over for exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience of this age-old subject called astrology with an eye to widen the arena and to set the subject to a new horizon so as to cater to the needs of the modem times. With a view to undertaking to evolve thorough scientific and methodological enquiry and research, correct predictive techniques and to popularising astrology at all levels by showing its real merits, came to being the Astrological Research Project some forty-four years back.

To implement the aims and objects of the Project, it was obviously felt that an Institute was needed to educate and train up promising youths to foster and glorify astrology in a wider sphere. Thus Viswa Jyotish Vidyapith was set up quite some years ago at the initiative of Dr. Ramkrishna Sastri and few other astrologers. The Vidyapith has now set courses of study starting from the Purba-Madhyama course up to the Post Graduate and research courses with an ideal and well thought of syllabi conforming to to-day’s requirements, both for regular students and for those who intend to proceed with their studies through correspondence. To meet the onrush of students, as many as four sessions a year are now being conducted, beginning in January, April, July and October. Regular classes are held on every Saturday and Sunday. It is gratifying for the Viswa Jyotish Vidyapith to place on record that today quite a large number of its students have been practicing astrology and leading a decent lifestyle by it. The Project has also been issuing certificates of practice to the practicing astrologers with a well set-out Code of Conduct.