President's Note

Message from President's Desk:

ICAS is poised at a momentous state today. We are on the threshold of starting new courses and consolidating our achievements. Since 1984 when under the leadership of our Founder-President Dr. B V Raman, ICAS was founded, we have been a truly pioneering institution. To our credit, we have taught more than 19,000 students and they are guiding thousands of people all over the country and abroad. True to the spirit of our founders, we have to tread the path of not only disseminating astrological knowledge but also has taken up some of the finest research in the field. Today we represent the largest astrological organization in the country. Even today, the examinations conducted by ICAS are considered to be the most rigorous and comprehensive in the country as we have made suitable changes in the content and type of skills analyzed through our examination system. The examinations are being held both online and offline mode.

ICAS has started offering Vaastu courses and Palmistry course pan India. The one-year Vaastu course leads to the Vastu Acharya title whereas the one-year Palmistry course leads to the title of Hastha Rekha Vishardha. Just like Jyotisha Praveena and Jyotisha Visharada titles, Vaastu Praveena, Vaastu Acharya, Hastha Rekha Praveena and Hastha Rekha Vishardha titles have been patented by ICAS. The one-year Nādi course leads to Nādi Visharada. We are also working towards several short-term courses and an online course in Astrology.

To meet the needs of learning requirements of students, we have selected chapters that have started online classes in the above courses.

The growth and consolidation of ICAS is not just in terms of the student base. We have also taken up research that has a bearing on the basic principles of Jyotish and Vaastu to enrich the learning of students. In fact, ICAS is at the forefront of astrological education because of its research activities. Today some of the work done by us (occasionally published in the FaceBook group: ICAS Examination Wing) has enabled us to explain some of the issues that were vexing astrologers for a long. To name a few:

1. We do have a convincing explanation about why the first house of the Kalapurusha chart is primarily characterized as a dharma house and also owned by Kuja or Mars. It has its roots in the very first rik/mantra of RigVeda.


2. We all are familiar with the concept of badhaka. This changes for chara, sthira and dvisvabhava signs. Why the sages gave this order can be explained through a verse of Srimadbhagavadgita. In the 28th shloka of the 2nd Chapter, Lord Krishna offers indications for understanding the concept of badhaka.


3. We all are also familiar with the dictum that Guru is the most important planet in a horoscope. This basic astrological dictum can only be understood when we see it in the light of the 2nd verse of the 2nd chapter of Bhagavadgita.


4. What makes a good astrologer? People have speculated a lot and come out with umpteen combinations of planets. Once again, however, it is Bhagavad-Gita that offers a solution. In 10.37, Lord Krishna emphasizes the role of Venus as the primary significator for learning astrology.


5. All of us wonder how our past life was and what we have brought forward to this birth. 43rd shloka of 6th Chapter has guided us to come out with the powerful tool of Central Planet of Previous Life (CPPL).


6. Event Time Prediction (ETP) is another wonderful tool that affirms the importance of being in consonance with nature and helping people with predictions.


7. Retrograde planets have always been an enigma to the astrologers, it seems they indicate something but what is it, remains elusive. Retrogression is an astronomical phenomenon and to understand it we need to go back to our rich heritage of studying astronomical data. Studies on the retrogression of Jupiter and Venus have provided an explanation for various astrological principles. We took up a study of retrograde movement that ranges from 800 years to 4000 years that throws light on some interesting insights like Venus never retrogrades in the nakshatra of Ketu!


8. Naamaaksharas are known to even lay persons. How did they come about and what is the rationale? Do naamaaksharas throw light on the nature of different nakshatras? This study led us to identify 4 special nakshatras and their importance.


9. Vaastu is the interplay of 5 elements. What is the reason for assigning varied importance to different directions? A study of Taittiriya Brahmanas teachings gives a convincing explanation.


10. While performing remedies which Veda should be followed and how should we reckon nakshatras? A study of Yajurveda provides us with a clue.

In fact, ICAS is at the forefront of astrological education because of its research activities. Today some of the work done by us has enabled us to explain some of the issues that were vexing astrologers for a long.

The books published by ICAS (started in 2018) are known for their excellence and reader-friendly content. The books are written by experts in astrology, incorporating their research and rich experience. We have published 9 books in English and 4 in Hindi. A few more books are at different stages of publication and will soon hit the market, through our new shopping portal - shopicas.com. Our books cater to the needs of students, experts and researchers regarding the various facets of astrology and stimulate the appetite for further studies.

The strength of ICASians is their dedication and commitment to propagating ancient knowledge with an eye on adaptation to the changing social environment. ICAS continues to be the apex organization of astrologers as it follows tradition with innovation.

Prof. A.B. Shukla, IAS (Retd.)