How to judge a source on Jyotish
A good Jyotish source states its method, its ayanamsa, its house system and the text it uses. Without those, a claim cannot be checked.
What it is
Look for named sources with chapter and edition, clear limits, a distinction between calculation and interpretation, and a willingness to say what is not known. Be cautious of sources that present interpretation as fact.
How it is worked out or read
Compare a calculation against a second source, such as a published panchang for the same date. If two sources agree on the calculation but differ on the reading, the difference is in the interpretation.
Where it appears on this site
This site lists its method on the method page. The verification article describes the checks.
Does it name its source?
A good source tells you where a rule comes from. When an article or book says that a yoga gives a certain result, it should name the text, such as the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra or the Phaladeepika, and ideally the chapter and verse. A source that presents every claim as simply what Vedic astrology says, without naming any text, makes it impossible to check whether the rule is classical, a later addition or the author's own idea.
Does it admit variation?
The classical tradition contains many disagreements: different definitions of the same yoga, different tables for matching, different ayanamsas, different rules for festivals. A reliable source acknowledges these and says which version it follows. A source that presents one version as the only correct one, without mentioning the others, is either unaware of them or not telling you, and both are reasons for caution.
Does it separate calculation from interpretation?
The positions of the planets, the tithi and the nakshatra are matters of calculation, and good sources state their methods and are precise about them. Interpretation, what those positions are said to mean, is a matter of tradition. Good sources keep the two apart, presenting calculations as checkable facts and interpretations as traditional readings. A source that treats interpretations as if they were measurements is overstating its case.
Does it sell fear?
One of the clearest warning signs is a source that links alarming claims to expensive solutions. If an article describes a dosha in frightening terms and then offers a costly puja, gemstone or consultation as the only remedy, its purpose may be selling rather than explaining. Good sources describe difficult combinations calmly, mention the cancellations the texts themselves give, and leave decisions with the reader.
A short checklist
Before relying on a source, ask: Does it name its texts? Does it acknowledge other views? Does it explain how calculations are made? Does it state its limits? Is it free of pressure to buy? A source that passes these tests deserves careful reading. This site tries to meet them, and the Method page sets out how its calculations are made.
Applying the checklist to this site
Readers are encouraged to apply the same checklist to this site and to tell us where it falls short.