Nadi Shastra is a unique form of astrology in which an individual can read his destiny inscribed on Palm leaves thousands of years ago. It is one of the most amazing confirmation of the intuitive powers and developed knowledge of the ancient sages, who possessed the capability of seeing the future of the entire universe. An expert Nadi reader reads one`s past, present and future with unbelieving details. The most amazing fact remains that a person reads his/ her Nadi leaf only at a predestined time in his/her life; which have been predestined thousands of years ago. Thus, a person learns about his life patterns by going through palm leaves that provide actual facts of his life on the exact time it has was meant to be told. A great deal of Nadi Shastra is based purely on astrological foundations. Other readings combine astrology and palmistry. There are various `Samhitas` (Nadi literature) named after various ancient Rishis.

In the Nadi shashtra, the thousands of life patterns are written, based on the possible astrological combinations. It is presumed that the Sapta Rishis (Seven Sages)--Agasthya, Kausika, Vyasa, Bohar, Brigu, Vasishtha and Valmiki had outlined the lives of each person on palm leaves through their yogic and intuitive powers. Precise date of origin of Nadi Shastra is not known. But sages and yogis of about 2000 years ago are the authentic writers of the Nadi leaves. They wrote the destiny of each and every human being to be born on this earth. They even did the prediction of the time when the individual will read his leaf. It is believed that the records were originally written on animal skin and later were transferred to palm leaves. However, this knowledge is kept sacred and is handed down from generations to generations, purposely excluding any public disclosure. Applying oil extracted from Peacocks` blood on auspicious muhurtas has preserved the palm leaves.

Although Nadi readers and leaves are scattered all over India, most of them are centered in Tamil Nadu. The ancient sages have written theses calculations in Sanskrit, which were later translated in Tamil. That is the reason Nadi shastra is often referred as the most prominent branch in Tamil Astrology. Under the "Chola" ruler ship, these records were translated in Tamil language. Maratha and Chola rulers were the great patrons of this art who endeavored to preserve these sacred records. Their major record collection was kept in Saraswati Mahal library in Tanjore. After the British invasion, the palm leaves were sold to various keen buyers.

The Valluvar community of south India, who were the ardent followers of astrology, bought maximum leaves. Astrology families of vaitheeswarankoil, near Chennai bought them as well. This is where the main hub of Nadi shastra resides till date. But, Nadi reading is not prejudiced to any caste, region, or nationality. All human beings have their destiny recorded and preserved. Due to manhandling of the leaves, it may be possible that a leaf corresponding to one person may not be available to one particular Nadi reader, and might be there with the other reader somewhere else in India. Still, many people have the humbling experience of encountering the details pertaining to their lives on a mere leaf meant for them ever since thousands of years ago.

There are more than 24 Granthas on Nadi shastra. Most of them are named after the sages who developed them. Many of the Granthas, still in original Sanskrit texts, are stored in libraries or temple vaults. Many Nadi leaves are also stacked away for the use of future generations. Some important Nadi Granthas are Guru Nadi; Sutra Nadi; Markandeya Nadi; Nandi Nadi; Suka Nadi; Sudha Nadi; Saraswati Nadi; Dhruva Nadi; Satya Nadi; and Chandra Nadi. Amongst these, Sukra and Dhruva Nadis are important ones; they give fairly accurate life history.

There are two types of original Granthas on Dhruva Nadis, namely satyacharya and jai muni, based on Sayan system unlike other Nadis that are based on Nirayan system. Satya Nadi deals with the prominent people in every field, along with details about their life and accomplishments. In various Nadis like Bhrigu Samhita, horoscope is related with the Nadi shastra, the outcome of which is derived by different permutations and combinations. This is unlike many Nadis who use Nadi amsha (part of any sign) and go on detailing about person`s event and happening in life.

Reading in Nadi Shastra
To begin with, a Nadi seeker`s thumbprint is taken in order to select the appropriate possibilities of leaves stack. After a rudimentary classification, search of the right leaf begins. The search is usually time taking, and may range from few minutes (if some people are quite lucky), to few hours, to few days and even years. In step two, certain questions are asked related to our present situations in life. Accordingly stacks are discarded or considered for further investigation. Finally a leaf is reached, where all your answers are predicted correctly. The leaf is further read out to give details of one`s parents, and even spouse`s name. This forms the general reading, where your past and future is read broadly, your karmic pattern is described, and even methods to remove the bad influences are explained by the Nadi reader. Nadi readings are classified as `kandams` or chapters. A reader then can go in further details of your life based on the twelve houses of your horoscope. It will read the twelve chapters with specific attributes of your life.

Whatever the controversies related with this branch of astrology is, the fact remains that Nadi shastra is getting more and more popular in modern times. The recipients of the predictions provided by it are deeply impressed by the detailed revelation of facts. Indeed it`s a miraculous experience to know that one`s life have been written on a palm leaf thousands of years ago, by the representatives of profound wisdom of ancient India. Nadi shastra is the most amazing accomplishment of ancient India. It strengthens our belief in destiny being the guiding force of our existence.