An Astrologer can only give an Indication of what promise the future holds. Only Brahma, the creator, can say with certainty what will definitely happen.

फलानि ग्रहचारेण सूचयन्ति मनीषिणः |
को वक्ता तारतम्यस्य तमेकं वेधसं विना ||

This shloka applies most appropriately to Longevity determination.

Matters like longevity cannot be decided by us mortals. They are in the hands of the supreme power and an Astrologer who wishes indulge in longevity determination, needs help of this super power to make the correct judgment.

Ayu Nirnay is a very serious and a deep subject and it involves much more than just the mathematical calculation. Even after checking longevity by many methods, the Astrologer is almost forbidden to disclose the person's death to him. At the most he can give a very subtle hint.

There are about 32 methods of calculation of longevity, but there is no one method which gives perfect result. After calculating it by a number of methods, if similar Ayu is found, then it can be relied upon, to a certain extent.

There are many stories in our religion like those of Savitri and Satyavan and Markandeya sage, in which people whose life span has come to an end, have been granted more life by God himself. This shows that the length of life can be increased by God’s blessings. Length of life can also be increased or decreased by the persons own karmas in this life.

ये धर्मकर्मनिरता विजितेन्द्रिया ये, ये पथ्यभोजनरता द्विजदेवभक्ताः |
लोके नरा दधति ये कुलशीललीला, स्तेषामिदं कथितमायु रूदारधीमि: ||

In short, people who lead a good regulated life from childhood, who follow good moral conduct, who eat less, and who respect god and the learned men, live up to their mathematically estimated life span or even longer.

ये पापलुब्धैश्चौराश्च देवब्रह्माणनिन्दका:|
परदाररता ये च ह्यकाले मरणं भवेत् ||

The people who do just the opposite have an untimely end. This shows that a person can reduce his life-span by his own sin deeds.

Till a child is of twelve years of age his Ayu Nirnay should not be done. The first four years of his life and governed by the previous karmas of his mother, the next four years are governed by the karmas of his father and the next four years are governed by his own karmas. Till twelve years, even prediction of his horoscope should not be done, because whatever the horoscope shows, can get altered because of these super imposing factors. For this reason till that age, every child should be protected through propitiation of planets, medical help and proper care. Only after he has crossed this age, his Ayu Nirnay should be done.

For calculation of longevity accurate birth data is required, which is:

1. Correct Date of Birth (D.O.B)
2. Correct Time of Birth (T.O.B)
3. Correct Place of Birth (P.O.B)
4. Correct horoscope cast on the basis of Chitrapakshiya Ayanamsa.

Correct Time of Birth

There are some controversies regarding the T.O.B. which should be taken as the correct T.O.B.?

1. Appearance of the head or any body part?
2. When the child is placed on the table?
3. The cutting or severance of the umbilical cord?
4. The first cry?
   • Normally cutting of the umbilical cord or the first cry can be accepted as the T.O.B.
   • Even the T.O.B. given by the hospital can be depended upon.

In the end I would like to say that prediction of a horoscope should be done only after assessment of the life span. All the Yogas and the beautiful promises contained in the horoscope will materialize only if the horoscope promises enough longevity.

The Astrologer who desires to gain proficiency in Ayurdaya must sincerely worship his chosen deity and perform his sadhna. He must have the genuine desire to help others, and he should carry out Ayu Nirnay with a calm and peaceful mind.