Lal Kitab
Encyclopedia
Lal Kitab is a set of five books, written on a branch of Vedic astrology and palmistry. The treatise is based on ancient Vedic astrology and Samudrika Shastra
. The extant version
of the text is written 19th century, in Urdu
with a sprinkling of Punjabi
and Persian
in a style which is without the punctuation and sounds which are hard to understand for a layman. Poetic verses with philosophy and hidden nuances form the core farmanns or upaya (remedy recommended) of the book. It is believed to have Persian origins and has led to field of remedial astrology known as Lal Kitab remedies, that is simple remedies for various planetary afflictions in the horoscope
or birth chart, which have over the years become part of the folk traditions of the region, that includes North India
and Pakistan.
tehsil
in Jalandhar district
of Punjab, who authored the presently available version during the years 1939 to 1952 in five volumes, is regarded as the master of this science. Some regard him also as originator of this books or this branch of vedic
astrological science while others believe original writer preferred to remain anonymous and Pandit Rup Chand Joshi re-wrote his work. The anonymous person by some is considered to be mystic Guru
of the author mentioned in his memoirs.
According to some believers Ravana
is considered to be the original author of Lal Kitab. They say that when Ravana lost power due to arrogance, he also lost possession of Lal Kitab which later surfaced in a place called Aaad in Arabia, where it got translated into Urdu and Persian. Some people believe it to be a part of Arabian and Islamic culture and believe it to be having Persian origins, many call it The Red Book of Persia but most of acclaimed followers and researchers attribute it to be a book on branch of jyotisha
, as the book follows the planetary positions and names of Navagraha
used by vedic people to give predictions and remedies.
The names of the five set of books authored by Pt. Rup Chand Joshi, together called as Lal Kitab with their years of publication, are as follows. A copy of first book published in 1939 is preserved in Lahore
Museum. :-
should also reflect in the lines of his palm. In other word the book is on astro-palmistry, that is, it has mixed the two different arts of Palmistry and Jyotisha
a.k.a Hindu astrology together.
The books were published in red hard-cover. In Hindi and Urdu languages Lal means the color red
and Kitab means a book. Further, in India
traditionally, business ledger books are bound in red color. Also red color in Hindu
religion is considered to be very auspicious and as symbol of Ganesha
and Lakshmi
. The red kum-kum
is essential in all auspicious occasion and Hindu
religious rites. The Lal Kitab volumes were also given a red binding because these books contain duniyavi hisaab kitaab ( the ledger book of one’s life). In fact, Lal Kitab mandates in very clear terms, that any book dealing with this system must be bound in non-shining, red color.
For the first time in the history of astrology, Lal Kitab introduced a new style of horoscope analysis with quick and affordable remedies, which were devoid of remedies like pooja and wearing of gemstone
s, generally recommended by other branches of Vedic astrology and Jyotisha
.
In present days, there are many followers of Lal Kitab. In India
and abroad one can find many practitioners of Lal Kitab, prescribing remedies as per farmanns of these books. There are many people, who claim to have benefited from the remedies of these books. The mass followers of Lal Kitab are increasing everyday and this science has become very popular in present days throughout different parts of world.
.
level, with Tehsildar
.
Further, as said earlier, Lal Kitab is also a term used in India
traditionally for the business ledger books, which are bound in red color and are referred to as Lal Kitabs (Red Books of Accounts.) This is where a business entity maintains its accounts - its debits and credits. These red colored ledger books are worshiped on eve of Diwali
festival for Lakshmi Puja
.
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Samudrika Shastra
Samudrika Shastra is the study of face reading, aura reading, and whole body analysis in the Vedic tradition, a Sanskrit term that translates roughly as "knowledge of body features." Often used in Vedic astrology, as it is contiguous to astrology and palmistry as well as phrenology and face...
. The extant version
Extant literature
Extant literature refers to texts that have survived from the past to the present time. Extant literature can be divided into extant original manuscripts, copies of original manuscripts, quotations and paraphrases of passages of non-extant texts contained in other works, translations of non-extant...
of the text is written 19th century, in Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
with a sprinkling of Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
in a style which is without the punctuation and sounds which are hard to understand for a layman. Poetic verses with philosophy and hidden nuances form the core farmanns or upaya (remedy recommended) of the book. It is believed to have Persian origins and has led to field of remedial astrology known as Lal Kitab remedies, that is simple remedies for various planetary afflictions in the horoscope
Horoscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
or birth chart, which have over the years become part of the folk traditions of the region, that includes North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
and Pakistan.
Authourship
Although, the author of the original verses is unknown or a matter of debate, however, Pandit Rup Chand Joshi (1898–1982), resident of Village Pharwala, NurmahalNurmahal
NurMahal or Noor Mahal is a city and a municipal council in Jalandhar district in the Indian State of Punjab. It is a small town located near the Lohian Khas-Nakodar -Ludhiana line in Punjab. This town is also connected with its sister towns of Phillaur and Nakodar by a road which goes side by...
tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
in Jalandhar district
Jalandhar District
Jalandhar district , Jalandhar Zilā) is one of the 22 districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. The capital is Jalandhar City...
of Punjab, who authored the presently available version during the years 1939 to 1952 in five volumes, is regarded as the master of this science. Some regard him also as originator of this books or this branch of vedic
Vedic
Vedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...
astrological science while others believe original writer preferred to remain anonymous and Pandit Rup Chand Joshi re-wrote his work. The anonymous person by some is considered to be mystic Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
of the author mentioned in his memoirs.
According to some believers Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
is considered to be the original author of Lal Kitab. They say that when Ravana lost power due to arrogance, he also lost possession of Lal Kitab which later surfaced in a place called Aaad in Arabia, where it got translated into Urdu and Persian. Some people believe it to be a part of Arabian and Islamic culture and believe it to be having Persian origins, many call it The Red Book of Persia but most of acclaimed followers and researchers attribute it to be a book on branch of jyotisha
Jyotisha
Hindu astrology , also Jyotish or Jyotisha, from Sanskrit , from "light, heavenly body") is the ancient Indian system of astronomy and astrology...
, as the book follows the planetary positions and names of Navagraha
Navagraha
Graha is a 'cosmic influencer' on the living beings of mother Bhumidevi . In Hindu astrology, the Navagraha are some of these major influencers.All the navagraha have relative movement with respect to the background of fixed stars in the zodiac...
used by vedic people to give predictions and remedies.
The names of the five set of books authored by Pt. Rup Chand Joshi, together called as Lal Kitab with their years of publication, are as follows. A copy of first book published in 1939 is preserved in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
Museum. :-
- Lal Kitab Ke Farman (The Edicts of Lal Kitab), 1939, 383 pages
- Lal Kitab Ke Arman (Ilm Samudrik Kee Lal Kitab Ke Armaan), (The “Aspirations” of Lal Kitab), 1940, 280 pages
- Gutka (Ilm Samudrik Kee Lal Kitab) (Third Part), 1941, 428 pages
- Lal Kitab Ke Farman (Lal Kitab – Tarmeem Shuda), 1942, 384 pages
- Ilm-e Samudrik ki buniyad par ki Lalkitab (Lal Kitab), 1952, 1173 pages
Contents
Lal Kitab is unique in field of vedic astrology because for the first time a book explained how certain planetary positions in one's horoscopeHoroscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
should also reflect in the lines of his palm. In other word the book is on astro-palmistry, that is, it has mixed the two different arts of Palmistry and Jyotisha
Jyotisha
Hindu astrology , also Jyotish or Jyotisha, from Sanskrit , from "light, heavenly body") is the ancient Indian system of astronomy and astrology...
a.k.a Hindu astrology together.
The books were published in red hard-cover. In Hindi and Urdu languages Lal means the color red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
and Kitab means a book. Further, in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
traditionally, business ledger books are bound in red color. Also red color in Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion is considered to be very auspicious and as symbol of Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
and Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
. The red kum-kum
Vermilion
Vermilion is an opaque orangish red pigment, similar to scarlet. As a naturally occurring mineral pigment, it is known as cinnabar, and was in use around the world before the Common Era began. Most naturally produced vermilion comes from cinnabar mined in China, and vermilion is nowadays commonly...
is essential in all auspicious occasion and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religious rites. The Lal Kitab volumes were also given a red binding because these books contain duniyavi hisaab kitaab ( the ledger book of one’s life). In fact, Lal Kitab mandates in very clear terms, that any book dealing with this system must be bound in non-shining, red color.
For the first time in the history of astrology, Lal Kitab introduced a new style of horoscope analysis with quick and affordable remedies, which were devoid of remedies like pooja and wearing of gemstone
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
s, generally recommended by other branches of Vedic astrology and Jyotisha
Jyotisha
Hindu astrology , also Jyotish or Jyotisha, from Sanskrit , from "light, heavenly body") is the ancient Indian system of astronomy and astrology...
.
In present days, there are many followers of Lal Kitab. In India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and abroad one can find many practitioners of Lal Kitab, prescribing remedies as per farmanns of these books. There are many people, who claim to have benefited from the remedies of these books. The mass followers of Lal Kitab are increasing everyday and this science has become very popular in present days throughout different parts of world.
Cultural influences
The book has been popular in both Indian and Pakistan, many of its astrological remedies upaya or farmans have become part of every day culture in the subcontinent, like throwing coins into a river while passing over it, feeding grass to cow, bread to a dog and offering meals to unmarried girls etc. Some of its farmans have become proverbs, in languages as diverse as Multani languageMultani language
Multani is spoken in southern Punjab, Pakistan. This dialect of Punjabi is mainly spoken in Multan_District, Muzaffargarh_District and adjacent ares like some parts of District Khanewal. It is mentioned in ancient documents....
.
Other uses
Lal Kitab is also the term used for the red catalogue, in which yearly records are kept at the village level, including developmental and infrastructure statistics, either with the Patwari or at TehsilTehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
level, with Tehsildar
Tehsildar
A tehsildar is a revenue administrative officer in Pakistan and India in charge of obtaining taxation from a tehsil. The term is of imperial Mughal origin made of "tahsil", an Islamic administrative derived from Arabic, meaning "revenue generating; collection" and "dar", Persian for "holder of a...
.
Further, as said earlier, Lal Kitab is also a term used in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
traditionally for the business ledger books, which are bound in red color and are referred to as Lal Kitabs (Red Books of Accounts.) This is where a business entity maintains its accounts - its debits and credits. These red colored ledger books are worshiped on eve of Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
festival for Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi puja is performed during Diwali, the festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them....
.
Further reading
- Lal Kitab: System Of Progression And Curative Measure, by R. S. Chillar. Sagar Publications, 2004. ISBN 81-7082-050-2.
External links
Videos