JANTAR MANTAR - ASTROLOGY / ASTRONOMY by Tina Romenesko

JANTAR MANTAR - ASTRONOMY/ASTROLOGY by Tina Romenesko

In the early 1700s, Jai Singh built 6 different sets of Jantar Mantar or Magical Instruments, designed to calculate time, location, and celestial movement more precisely.  I had heard they were amazing and astronomical in size - pun intended - but wow!  These instruments are immense in both size and accuracy.  

According to our guide, “These are the biggest, and the best!”  He went on to explain that, in his estimation, astronomy is the western equivalent of astrology.  We were all taken a bit aback at that statement, but isn’t it all the study of the stars and planets?  It’s what we do with the information that differs.  Is it applied to mapping the sky or our fate?  Telling time or calculating the exact place in the universe where we were born?  Astrological charts are calculated based on the exact date of birth, time, and location.  Jai Singh’s solar clock calculates the exact time and the exact place where you are on the earth - it is accurate to within 2 seconds - much more exact than your iPhone, or the doctor’s watch at your place of birth.  

He also created a huge fixed compass to locate the North star and calculate latitude.  Other instruments determine what house of the Zodiac the sun is in - and in order to track the sun’s movement more closely, he even built two half versions with large steps in between the reading areas - to further increase the accuracy with a close up view.

According to our guide, all of this information is a vital part of Indian culture.  Diwali (Indian New Year) changes every year, based on the heavens.  Both arranged marriages and love marriages look at the compatibility in the lovers astrological charts.  In some families, a marriage may not be allowed, based on this vital information, and wedding place and time is often determined not by the bride, but by the astrologer.  

Western astrology is more focused on your Sun sign, but our guide explains that here in India, it is the Moon sign that is most important.  I find it all fascinating and overwhelming - and so interesting that this astronomer from the 1700s felt it was important enough to map it all out on these Magical, giant sized Instruments.  

At the center of Jantar Mantar, there are 12 stations, each representing the signs of the Zodiac.  As I head over to Taurus, and have my picture taken with other Taurians, I observe that no where else in the world have I stood with a group of people that share my coordinates in the stars.  We have similarities that are determined by where we were born and when, even though we come is all races, and ethnicities, and from many different places on the earth.  Fascinating.

Astronomy or Astrology?  My iPhone dictionary (all that is available to me here in Ajmer…) describes the difference this way.  Astronomy - The branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.  Astrology - The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.  Hard science or social science?  I think both views are valid.  Perhaps William Broad, New York Times Journalist and author of the Science of Yoga, sums it up best.

“Prove what you can, and be open to the rest.”  Lovely sentiment - facing reality with an open mind and heart.  Namaste.