The three major occult sciences, used for predicting the future, are astrology, numerology and palmistry. With their aid some vital information about a person can be found out. In the case of astrology, the exact date, time and place of birth of the subject is required for structuring of a horoscope. In numerology, again the date of birth of the subject and his name are required for calculating their numerical value. So far as palmistry is concerned, the hand of the subject (which is a part of the body) is studied; the kind of hand, formation of various lines, mounts, and different kinds of marks and signs on the palm.

The science of hand reading is very old, having been bequeathed to us by our rishis who received revelation through their spiritual power. In Sanskrit palmistry is called ‘Hastrekha Vigyan’. ‘Hast’ means hand which is the most important organ of the body accumulates the whole power of the body. And this power, as per Acharya shri lies in the formation of lines, mounts and other various signs.  The Hastrekha Vigyan is a part of the Samudrika Shastra that studies the physiognomy and signs of each individual from  top to bottom, and gives out the characteristics of the subject and the course of his past and future destiny.

Palmistry is reduced to the study of the structure and shape of the hand, fingers, thumb, palm, and the mounts, lines and signs found on the palm. The study of the hand includes complexion of the hand, palm, nails, and hair found on the hand. Like Samudrika Vigyan, which unfolds what we enjoy or suffer in our present life through the study of the face and other parts of the body, palmistry also depicts the past, present and future.

Acharya shri says that the shape of the hands never changes, while the lines on the palm change according to one’s deeds and through prayers to the Almighty, the creator of this universe. So far as the marks and sins are concerned, they may appear and then vanish.  For finding out  the variegated aspects of life, both hands are to be studied. The left hand indicates the subject’s inheritance, the right hand shows his accomplishments or failures, personality and development. When the subject is left-handed, the reverse applies. In the case of females, the consensus is that the left hand should be studied for ascertaining the facts about their life, while right hand discloses matters related to life partners. Thus hand is an instrument of instruments.