Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma and Lal Kitab
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is a well-known commentator and interpreter of the Lal Kitab, a unique system of astrology that originated in the 20th century.
About Lal Kitab
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Lal Kitab (literally Red Book) is a set of five Urdu-language books on astrology and palmistry, published between 1939–1952.
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The text is attributed to Pandit Roop Chand Joshi of Punjab.
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Unlike traditional astrology, Lal Kitab emphasizes remedies (upāyas) that are simple, symbolic, and often involve everyday objects (like feeding animals, donating food, or wearing specific items) instead of costly rituals.
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Its system is sometimes called “astrology of the masses” because remedies are inexpensive and practical.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma & Lal Kitab
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Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is regarded as one of the authoritative scholars and translators of Lal Kitab.
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He worked extensively to explain, interpret, and simplify the original texts, which were written in a cryptic and poetic Urdu style.
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His books and commentaries make Lal Kitab more accessible to Hindi- and English-speaking readers.
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Sharma is often credited with helping popularize Lal Kitab remedies in North India.
Why Important
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The original Lal Kitab is obscure and metaphorical, making interpretation tricky.
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Sharma’s explanations provide structured interpretations and practical guidance, bridging the gap between the mystical text and everyday practice.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is a figure linked to the Lal Kitab, a set of five books on astrology and palmistry. While the primary author of the currently known Lal Kitab volumes (published between 1939 and 1952) is widely considered to be Pandit Roop Chand Joshi, some accounts suggest Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma’s involvement in the book’s history.
Lal Kitab: An Overview
Lal Kitab (which literally means “Red Book” in Hindi and Urdu) is a unique system of astrology that combines elements of Vedic astrology with palmistry. The core of this system is its use of simple, practical, and often low-cost remedies (known as upayas or totkas) to counteract negative planetary influences. These remedies are distinct from traditional Vedic astrological practices, which often involve complex rituals or the use of expensive gemstones. The book’s principles are based on the idea that an individual’s planetary positions in their birth chart are reflected in the lines of their palm. The Lal Kitab is primarily written in Urdu poetry.
Astro-Palmistry: It links planetary positions in a birth chart to the lines on a person’s palm.
Remedies (Upayas): It provides simple, easy-to-follow remedies for planetary afflictions.
House System: It uses a fixed house system for its astrological charts, where the first house is always Aries, the second Taurus, and so on.
Annual Chart (Varshphal): It places a strong emphasis on the annual chart to predict future events.
The Role of Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma
While Pandit Roop Chand Joshi is the recognized author of the published Lal Kitab volumes, there are varying accounts regarding Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma’s connection to the work:
- A co-author or publisher: Some sources, particularly in the publishing of modern reprints, list Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma as a co-author or a figure involved in publishing the books.
- The initial translator: One theory suggests that the original text was found on ancient copper plates and that Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma was the astrologer and linguist who first translated and recorded the content into a red-covered ledger, hence the name Lal Kitab.
- A related figure: Another view is that he was a relative, perhaps a cousin, of Pandit Roop Chand Joshi, who played a role in the dissemination or preservation of the knowledge.
There isn’t a single, universally accepted account of Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma’s precise role, but his name is frequently associated with the book, particularly in modern editions. The foundational author, however, remains Pandit Roop Chand Joshi.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is recognized as the original or authoritative author of the “Asli Prachin Lal Kitab,” which is an ancient and original version of the “Lal Kitab,” a classical astrology book. This book is known for dealing with difficult problems in astrology in a simple way and includes remedies related to astrology and planetary influences. Sharma’s Lal Kitab differs from newer astrological texts by focusing on traditional Indian astrology in Urdu poetic form and is considered an important classical work in the field. The book was originally written in Urdu and deals with horoscopic remedies and planetary positions with unique astrological formulas and mantras. The text is known to be written in a poetic language and is regarded as difficult to interpret fully without knowing Urdu, making it a rare and respected work among astrologers.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is credited as the original writer of this key astrological text, which has been studied and referenced by many practitioners of Indian astrology.
Additionally, it is important not to confuse him with other notable personalities named Girdhari Lal, such as artists or politicians with similar names.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is the traditional author of the original Lal Kitab, an ancient Urdu astrological scripture known for its unique remedies and approach in Indian astrology.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma is closely associated with the Lal Kitab, a unique system of astrology known for its practical remedies and distinct approach compared to traditional Vedic astrology. However, there is some debate about his exact role in the creation of the Lal Kitab. Below is a concise overview based on available information:
Role of Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma
- Publisher, Not Author: The Lal Kitab series, consisting of five books published between 1939 and 1952, is widely attributed to Pandit Roop Chand Joshi as the author. Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma, his cousin, is recognized as the publisher of these works. The books were published from Joshi’s native village, Pharwala, in Punjab, with the first four printed at Jahaazi Press in Lahore and the final one at Narinder Press in Delhi.
- Astrologer and Linguist: Some sources describe Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma as an expert astrologer and linguist, particularly skilled in Urdu and Persian. According to one narrative, in the 18th century, copper scripts in Urdu and Persian were discovered at a construction site in Lahore and brought to Sharma due to his expertise. These scripts were recorded in a red-bound register, which is said to have inspired the name Lal Kitab (Red Book). However, this account is debated, and the more accepted view credits Pandit Roop Chand Joshi with authoring the system.
- Authorship Claims: Certain sources, such as Asli Prachin Lal Kitab attributed to Girdhari Lal Sharma, suggest he may have authored or contributed to versions of the Lal Kitab. However, these claims are less widely accepted, and many scholars maintain that Sharma’s primary role was as a publisher, while Joshi was the originator of the system.
The Lal Kitab System
- Overview: Lal Kitab is a set of five books published in Urdu between 1939 and 1952, known for their unique blend of astrology and palmistry (Samudrika Shastra). The titles are:
- Samudrik Lal Kitab Ke Farman (1939)
- Samudrik Lal Kitab Ke Arman (1940)
- Samudrik Lal Kitab Teesara Hissa (1941)
- Ilam Samudrik ki Lal Kitab Tarmim Shuda (1942)
- Lal Kitab (1952) These books combine planetary influences with palmistry, offering simple and cost-effective remedies to mitigate adverse planetary effects.
- Distinct Features: Unlike Vedic astrology, Lal Kitab assigns fixed house numbers (e.g., the ascendant is always House No. 1) and emphasizes practical remedies like charity, specific actions, or rituals to balance planetary influences. It avoids complex rituals like yajnas, making it accessible to the common person.
- Cultural Impact: The books, originally written in Urdu with some Punjabi, were initially challenging for non-Urdu speakers. Hindi translations, starting in the 1980s, particularly the 1996 Arun Sanhita transliteration, made the system widely popular. Today, Lal Kitab is a bestseller in astrology, though many modern versions are criticized for inaccuracies.
Clarifications and Controversies
- Authorship Debate: While some sources credit Girdhari Lal Sharma as an author (Asli Prachin Lal Kitab), the scholarly consensus leans toward Pandit Roop Chand Joshi as the primary creator. Sharma’s role as a publisher is more consistently documented.
- Originality of Texts: The original Lal Kitab books, bound in non-shiny red covers, were sold on a no-profit basis. Many modern reproductions are criticized for errors and deviations from the original Urdu texts.
- Girdhari Lal Sialkoti: Another figure, Pandit Girdhari Lal Sialkoti, is associated with a popular astrological almanac (Jantri), but there is no clear evidence linking him to the Lal Kitab system, despite the similarity in names.
Pandit Girdhari Lal Sharma played a significant role as the publisher of the Lal Kitab series, working closely with its author, Pandit Roop Chand Joshi. While some sources attribute authorship to Sharma, the prevailing view credits Joshi as the creator, with Sharma facilitating the publication. The Lal Kitab remains a unique and influential astrological system, valued for its accessible remedies and integration of astrology and palmistry.
