It has been endeavoured to introduce a few specialties in this book. Firstly to discuss for the benefit of the student of astrology a maximum number of diseases under astrological laws.

Secondly to supply in support of that discussion as many illustrations from actual life as is possible, with a view to make the subject readily understandable.

Thirdly we have tried to place the astrological material in a rational & logical manner, so that the question of health and disease can be tackled in an independent way without being too much subservient to the shlokas of the text. We do meet with shlokas dealing with most of the diseases but there are very few books, if at all, which discuss the "how" and "why" of disease.

We have attempted to discuss the constituents of diseases and the astrological factors representing them severely in order that the student can extend the application of the method to new diseases.

All the Subjects discussed in this book are based strictly on the fundamental and basic cannons of the science of Indian Astrology. That is 10 say the longitudes of the planets in this system are measured from a fixed point viz the star ashvini and not from the vernal equinox-a receding point as in western system of astrology. Thus in order to arrive at the longitudes of all planets given in this book, you have to deduct the value of the precession ot ayanamsha. The ayanamsha as given in the ephemeris by Shri N.C. Lihiri of Calcutta may be used, though this ayanamsha too is more than the true value of ayanamsha by about a degree or so. On some points we have, however, laid greater stress while others have been presented in a new way. For example, the system of "Sudarshan" taught by Maharshi Parashar, has been freely drawn upon by us in the matter of a consideration of diseases, which we hope will benefit the students considerably.

"A somewhat new matter has been introduced by us in the form of the specie] aspect of Rahu & Ketu, for we think very few persons are aware of the fact that Rahu & Ketu aspect the house or planet placed fifth or ninth from them. Again, how Rahu & Ketu convey other planets' influence as well as their own, is also a fact not widely known. Many knotty problems of astrology, which otherwise seem incapable of solution are easily solved by an understanding of this transference of influence by the nodes. Many a drawback otherwise unknown come to lime light by the knowledge of the aforesaid aspect of the nodes."

Excerpt From
MEDICAL ASTROLOGY : A Rational Approach
J. N. BHASIN
Sagar Publications