INTRODUCTION ABOUT JYOTISH ACHARYA (ASTROLOGER) Mrs PRIYAMBADA AGRAWAL
Smt Priyambada Agrawal ji holds a Master’s degree in Sociology. Her journey into astrology began in 1999, when she pursued formal education in the field. She excelled in her studies, earning top marks in the Jyotish Alankar and Jyotish Acharya diploma courses. This achievement marked a pivotal shift in her life, steering her toward astrology and a deeper connection with spirituality.
Following her Acharya course, she dedicated nearly a decade (2001–2009) to advanced research and further studies in astrology. Since 2010, Priyambada ji has been sharing her expertise as a Faculty of Astrology, teaching senior Acharya students while continuing her practice and research.
With approximately 14 years of teaching experience in astrology, she is a seasoned expert deeply committed to her field. More details below.
Q.1: – Why do you believe Astrology benefits people’s life?
Ans.1: – Astrology is a divine subject; an eternal science. It works as a guide to people, helping them see a clear path view ahead to choose on in life. For further understanding, pls see below two examples.
Ex:1- A client (native himself in this case), who has a dilemma between two or three options to choose from for his/her professional life and seeks consultancy from a good astrologer, can get clarity, a clearer picture for which way to move ahead in career and accordingly can select education streams at the right time required.
Ex:2- In cases of marital discord, if the couple seeks a good astrologer at the right time, means before separation, their relationship can be saved.
Astrologers can read both horoscopes and advise on right day and month, when this difficult time would end according to the running dashas at that time in horoscopes. Also, one can get to know when a fortunate or a blissful period is going to start in their lives. So, people actually get a lot of strength and hope to face the difficult times in wait of a shining tomorrow. Many marriages have been actually saved by this process.
In horoscopes, good and bad both times are confirmed by destiny for us. No one just faces bad times in life or just enjoys good times in life. So as per dashas running and changing from time to time, we get to reap our past karmas results in this life and sometimes current life karmas too.
By seeking astrological help, people get to know very clearly that its bond of their karmas (good and bad deeds) performed in past life that they are living today. So whosoever in pain, if seeks astrology, gets all their answers and also a learning to do only all good karmas and behave only good way with everyone in present life, in order to have a happy and peaceful current life ahead and next life as well.
Q.2: – Difference between Indian Astrology and Western Astrology.
Ans.2: – Western Astrology follows Sayana system. Sayan means, Sa+ ayan or sa + ayanamsha. Planetary longitudes here are measured from vernal equinox or first point of Aries in the sayana system and gives us Sayana positions. In Sayana system vernal equinox point is not fixed and keep moving westwards each year by 50.29 seconds, with reference to a fixed background star.The zodiac starting from vernal equinox is known as moveable or tropical zodiac or the zodiac of signs.
Western Astrology follows movement of Sun, and so Sun based system. Their zodiac signs are also called Sun signs
Indian Astrology or Vedic Astrology system follows the Nirayana system. Nirayana means, Nir+ayan or Nir + ayanamsha. After applying ayanamsha correction, to the Sayana positions, we get the Nirayana longitudes. The first point of Aries here is fixed, with reference to a background star named, Spica, in Chitra nakshatra. 180 degrees from the star is our fixed point of Aries. The difference between this fixed point of Aries and vernal equinox is ayanamsha, which separates the Sayana and Nirayana system. The zodiac starting from the first point of Aries in Nirayana system is known as fixed or sidereal zodiac or the zodiac of constellations(nakshatras).
Vedic astrology is based on Moon movement. Moon moves faster and so covers all twelve signs of a horoscope in 1 month whereas Sun moves only to next sign in 1 month.
Due to this application of Ayanamsha correction, Nirayana system gives more accuracy in planetary longitudes and thus predictions results better.
Q.3: – Who is your favourite astrologer of India, according to you.
Ans.3: – Shri. K.N. Rao Sir is undoubtedly the best living astrologer. Not just in India, he has a tremendous number of followers worldwide, who often try to come and seek his blessings. Shri K.N. Rao is popularly known as ‘’Jyotish ke Bhishma Pitamah’’. Jyotish (Astrology) is an occult science. Due to this very nature of mystery in Jyotish education, astrologers used to keep it limited to their children only. Shri K.N. Rao ji is the only one who has done propagation and expansion of this science to one & all. Shri Rao Sir founded a great astrology school at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi. It has become a great success, is very popular and loved by all. Students from abroad like Russia, Japan also have been followers and some been regular(offline) as well as online students of Rao Sir at the Institute. Today the Institute has been renamed in Rao Sir’s name and became to be known as ‘’K.N. Rao Institute of Astrology’’.
Q.4: – What advise do you have for people learning astrology?
Ans.4: – A person learning astrology should proceed in the following manner: –
(a). First step is the study and completion of courses offered in ‘Alankar in Astrology’ and ‘Acharya course in Astrology’, offered by some reputed college or Institute following Vedic Astrological System of India. One of the best known and recommended is K. N. Rao Institute of Astrology (previously known as BVB), Delhi.
(b) Second comes the classes of ‘Research in Astrology’. At least 5-10 years of research classes/lectures should also be attended in order to hone the astrological and prediction skills. This is the space, where an astrologer actually grows and establishes as an astrologer. While we do learn all the techniques and principles of astrology up till our acharya courses, and also practise on horoscopes and learn astrology as a subject, a science and making predictions. But , the latter is learnt on a limited level as more focus is required on the former there. So, in research classes, the latter gets all the focus, thus one gets to practise more and more on numerous horoscopes and learns to do researches with them on several topics.
(c) Third comes the personal practise. As the research classes are going on, one needs to start his /her personal astrological practise side by side as well , in their daily lives. Horoscopes of all friends and family must be seen, without any charge. More practise only leads to more knowledge and experience, esp in this field.
(d) Fourth important factor is knowledge of Indian Scriptures (Mythology and others) as well as “Astrological Classics”. This step needs to be started right from the beginning from 1st semester of Alankar, side by side, as its going to take years to read them all.
Jyotish is said to be a ‘’Vedang’’ in scriptures, i.e., a body part of Vedas [one of the Indian scriptures (Four vedas)].
(e) Last, but not the least, a person learning astrology should have a high moral character and religious nature in order to become a good astrologer. He should have firm believe in God and deep respect for his Gurus/Teachers. Only then God empowers one with the blessings of knowledge of Astrology.
Q.5: – Which area of astrology is your specialization?
Ans.5: – Career, Marriage & Children, Medical and Prediction.
Q.6: – Where do you teach Astrology?
Ans.6: – I (Mrs. Priyambada Agrawal) teach Astrology at K.N.Rao Institute of Astrology aka Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan, New Delhi.
Q.7: – How people can contact you?
Ans.7: – They can contact me via phone or an email. It would be better if they can share their birth details and queries prior to a fixed appointment, so that we can see their horoscopes nicely in detail and keep answers to their queries ready beforehand. Astrology has many aspects like yogas, promise, dashas, transit, and others. It is beneficial for the client too if queries are asked this way, in order to get a detailed answer, else not everything is seen in short span of a direct call consultation.
Q.8: – What got you interested in Astrology?
Ans.8: – Initially, I pursued the subject as a hobby. Then slowly and slowly, I found my calling in this field only and then there was no looking back. I today hold an experience of around 34 years practising astrology and approx. 25 years, as a faculty at BVB as well.
Astrology is very divine and intriguing. It’s like an ocean of mysteries. More you dive in, more you feel like diving in it.
Q.9: – How can we make more money/success in Astrology?
Ans.9: – This is one of a kind of field, which is linked to God and spirituality. So, it’s not just a field of money- making, but about giving correct guidance like a torchbearer. Focus needs to be more on advising only truth and guide rightly to all who come to an astrologer with lots of pain and hope. Having said that, if one still needs to practise it for money, one must keep a nominal fee, or at least an affordable one. There are lot of reasons to my above advise such as: –
(a). Astrology has a history of facing lot of criticism and still faces today due to this very nature of astrologers of misusing their knowledge and looting people. At times, few people who are only half astrologers (who don’t have full knowledge of this subject) claims themselves as great astrologers and do astrology as a business cheating people all the time. It spoils image of astrology profession in whole.
(b). This field is like a Doctor’s field. Person goes to Doctor only when no other option is left and goes in great pain, anxiety as well as hope for some solution and relief. So, misguiding such person is very immoral and its rather committing a sin. In astrology its mentioned to condemn such a behaviour for an astrologer.
(c). If an astrologer gives a wrong prediction or consultation, he/ she has to face the consequences as well. When the time comes and prediction doesn’t come out true for the client, he/she curses the astrologer. These things don’t go in vain and changes the fate of that astrologer. Sometimes people put their greatest things at stake in this method of believing an astrologer, and then lose their faith in great science of astrology itself, in case they face losses, etc. It becomes the bad karma of the astrologer which he has to bear fruit of, either in this life or next. An astrologer should never make a prediction or must never give even a consultation in haste. He is ought to apply all his wisdom, knowledge, considering all divisional charts, their promises, dasha systems as well as transit and varshphal, if required, before deciding on an answer for client.
(d). Lastly, I would like to add, whenever an astrologer’s own dashas will run good, he/she will automatically make good money and get good name and fame as well. So there’s no need to do anything out of greed or anything of that nature and so don’t let any bad karmas build up for yourself.
Good and bad times both are ensured in our fate by destiny based on our past life karmas, so good times surely comes. Sometimes sooner in one’s life and sometimes later in other person’s life.
Q.10. What is one thing that most people don’t really know about astrology?
Ans.10: – It is an ancient science of India. This Vedic astrology system was advised via Astrological Classics (Knowledge of Astrology given by ancient sages in Sanskrit language in various forms) by Indian sages of ancient times. It is known that majorly it was advised by ‘’Rishimuni Parashar ji’’.
Also due to some astrological practise performed by few ‘pundits’ who have only half of its knowledge, general public get disbelief on astrology and its science and so don’t even know how accurate results can be found by it, as it’s all science based and lot of maths and calculations goes into it before concluding any results, be it finding Lagna or finding placement of planets and so on. Today, advance softwares are available that does all calculations and give ready charts to study, but even then, pundits or any person for that matter, who doesn’t have proper academic knowledge of the subject, can’t even read charts correctly and so making predictions is altogether a very different thing, a very big practise, not possible for them at all.
Interview Shekhar Kapoor Bollywood film director and producer
Priyambada Ji’s accomplishments in astrology demonstrate a remarkable blend of academic excellence, impactful publications, and recognition by esteemed individuals in the field. Here’s a summary of her notable achievements:
Awards and Honors
1. Women Empowerment Year (2002) Award by Smt. Sushma Swaraj: Recognized for her excellence in research in astrology, she was awarded by the then Union Cabinet Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
2. Recognition by Manoj Bajpayee and a popular Dancer cum Choreographer (2012): Honoured for best research work in astrology ,with an award by a renowned personality from Dance background from Delhi and Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, at the occasion of completion of 25 years of BVB.
3. Bharat Icon Award (2018): Received the 3rd Bharat Icon Award from the then Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri Vijay Goyal, honouring her as the “Bharat Icon of Astrology.”
4. Medal by Shri K.N. Rao: Bestowed by the renowned astrologer for her outstanding endeavours in the field.
5. “Numerous certificates recognizing her outstanding contributions to the field of Astrology are awarded periodically as a mark of honour and appreciation for her efforts.”
Contributions to Literature
1. “Famous Women” (2002): Collaborated with other women astrologers to create this book, analysing the charts of heroic women personalities.
2. “Jyotish ke Mool Siddhanth” (2014): Co-authored this bestselling book on the fundamental principles of astrology, which remains a go-to resource for beginners.
Professional and Research Engagements
1. US Panel Member: Part of a six-member panel selected by Shri K.N. Rao to address queries from US clients. She served in this role for approximately six years, then discontinued by self-discr tion.
2. Research on Second Marriages: Conducted an extensive study involving over 150 horoscopes, leading to a prediction published in the Journal of Astrology. This prediction remains a top-rated reference globally.
Priyambada Ji’s contributions underscore her dedication and influence in the field of astrology, from pioneering research to empowering literature and international service