Lal Kitab is a book in the field of vedic astrology. This book explains how certain planetary positions in one’s horoscope reflects the lines in the palm. In other words this book has a detailed description of astro-palmistry and it has mixed the two different arts of Palmistry and Jyotisha , Hindu astrology together.
This is the first book that explained how the planetary positions in one’s horoscope can affect man’s destiny and the lines of the palm. In other words, Lal Kitab is on astroplamistry, that is, it has mixed part of palmistry and the astrology. The book was printed and published in red hard-cover and both in the Hindi and the Urdu language. In Hinduism, red color is considered to be very auspicious and as a symbol of Ganesha and Laxmi. The red Kum-Kum is also essential in all the occasion and Hindu religious rites. The several volumes of Lal-Kitab were also bound in red because it is believed that this Kitab contains Duniyawi hisaab kitaab. In fact, Lal-Kitab tells in a very clear term, that any book apart from this with this system must be bound in non-shining, red colour. The texts of Lal-Kitab are in the form of poetic verses which denotes philosophy, nuances etc. and also upayas and the farmans, i.e. recommended remedies. It is also said that these have originated from the Persian literature and astrology. In facts, through its origins, it has led to the formation of the new field of Lal Kitab remedies. These remedies are simple and very beneficial for all the planetary afflictions in one’s horoscope. The Lal-Kitab astrology has become a part of the folklore of the regions of the Northern India and Pakistan.
According to the thinkers, Ravan is the actual and the original author of Lal Kitab branch of astrology. The king of Lanka lost his power due to arrogance and in the war, he lost his Lal Kitab as well. This book was later resurfaced in a place called as Aaad in Arabia and here it was translated into Persian and then into Urdu.
As it has originated in the Persian language to the modern man, it is often considered as a part of Islam and the Arab culture. It may have been called the Red Book of Persia. However, according to Hindu scholars it belongs to Vedic astrology and follows planetary positions so this is there is some difference in their opinion of origin of book from Arab culture.
These are the following names of the Lal Kitab astrology written by Pandit Roop Chand Joshi
Lal Kitab Ke Farman (The Edicts of Lal Kitab)
Lal Kitab Ke Arman (Ilm Samudrk Kee Lal Kitab Ke Armaan) or The Aspirations of Lal Kitab, published in 1940
Gutka (Ilm Samudrik Kee Lal Kitab)
Lal Kitab Ke Farmann (Lal Kitab – Tarmeen Shuda) published in 1942
Ilm-e Samudrik ki buniyad par ki Lal Kitab (Lal Kitab) published in 1952