Hi Ernst,
Ayanamsas are supposed to be a basic and foundational astronomical aspect to astrology that shows the difference in degrees of the tropical vernal equinox and sidereal zodiac. Yet, I see varying definitions of Ayanamsa. Ayana means 'going', sometimes 'movement'. Brihat Samhita says ayana is '6 months'. Amsa means 'parts', sometimes I see it translated as 'components'.
Can you give a straight forward definition of 'Ayanamsa' and what exactly is an Ayanamsa?
scott
Ernst can answer more in depth but I found it helpful to learn this: a more common way ayana is translated is as "a time pass" as they say in india. So one might say "I worked for a year as a cook, just as a "time pass". Like as in something to do for awhile. Ayana means a time pass, or a a journey, a thing you do that takes up time.
So ayanamsha like many sanskrit words has multiple levels of meaning, and it can mean the division of time taken away to arrive at something. I think thats one way to grasp what it means in the jyotish context.
And so for example the Ramayana is translated as "Ram's journey" but it also can be playfully seen as "Ram's timepass" since Ram was Vishnu, who incarnates every so often out of love for his devotees, and perhaps as a way to pass the time 😉
And so for example the Ramayana is translated as "Ram's journey" but it also can be playfully seen as "Ram's timepass"
The "na" in ayana, and the "na" in Ramayana are not the same- in Indian languages, it is written differently.
Also, the way Indians use "time pass", is to say that the thing doesn't have much significance. Are you suggesting Rama's story is without significance?
@leela oh you are correct, thanks for clarifying that for me, its another nakara sound.
The time-pass thing, I dont think that was understood correctly what I was trying to imply. Def not trying to imply any insignificance in the role of the Avatar.
If one has familiarity with the Puranas and Srimad Bhagavatam its just a reference to the way Vishnu is described there and in the Vasistha Yoga. Dont worry about it if it did not make sense. Of course Ram's story is important!