The Planets (Stars) And Us

I was fascinated by astrology since childhood. Some people think it is just superstition and others think it is pure mathematics. My father and an uncle (his brother) had a reasonable knowledge of Vedic astrology and three decades back I took some lessons from them. During college days, I read from cover to cover Linda Goodman’s “Sun sign” and “Star signs”.

Then twenty years back my Rakhee brother gave me “How to judge a nativity” by Alan Leo, a book on western astrology of 353 pages, to read and return. I took down notes from the whole book.  Even with all this background knowledge, it was still very confusing to me and I never practiced reading charts in a big way.

Two years back I came to know of “Falit Jyotish” Vedicastrology lessons in Hindi by Sri. Shrawan Jha “Ashutosh”  from my daughter. From then on I am listening to his online lessons and making notes. He is too good, very thorough in his knowledge, makes complicated concepts simple and easy to remember.  

Reading charts- is it all predetermined?

Last year I started reading charts and was astonished at the effect of planets on our lives. It is amazing how it can help us to make decisions and find peace in any prevailing situation. A common belief in those who believe in astrology is that we are helpless victims of the planets and the only way out is to chant mantras and do remedies to pacify the planets having malefic influence on us.

Opening of the inner eye

As per Jha sir’s recommendation, I was reading “Phaldeepika Bhavartha Bodhini “, a translation by Jha & Jha yesterday. The first few pages and a lightning struck my inner eye. It is written, “Astrologers know that the karma of a person in the past lives has resulted in the present birth. We are here to bear the brunt or to enjoy the effects of stars. Still the God Almighty has given us a Will to improve or tarnish our destiny.” WHAT! We can improve or tarnish our destiny? How?

Example of Ravana and Rama

He takes up the example of Ravana and Rama to illustrate this. The difference between their horoscopes is that the Rising Sign of Ravana was Aries and that of Rama was Cancer.

Ravana was a person who could never be defeated, surrounded by good counsellors and was a Brahmin of the highest class. Exalted Saturn in 7^th house gave Ravana a faithful, good looking wife. Exalted Mars in the 10^th house made him conquer the world, the Moon and Jupiter in the 4^th house in Cancer gave him the throne of Shri Lanka, the city of gold.

But he strayed from the path of religion and wanted Sita for himself. No sooner he left the path of morality, religion and ethics, than he became arrogant and his stars lost the lustre and power. They became incapable to help him. He kicked his brother Vibhishan out, reducing the effects of Mars, bringing about his fall and death. He would not listen to his wife and older people of his court and his exalted Saturn lost the power to protect him.

Rama was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, but Ravana had the blessing of lord Shiva. Just because his father desired him to leave- Rama did and so he improved his Sun. Love and support of his brother Lakshman strengthened his Mars. Respect for spiritual and religious people improved his Jupiter and Saturn. Therefore with almost parallel horoscopes Rama triumphed and Ravana did not.

One who does not want others to be killed, has control on his/her senses (behaviour and mind) and earns his living in a  righteous manner, always follows the rules and principles laid down in the scriptures, the planets remain pleased and are always favourable.

Hold onto moral principles

Many people with economic securities forget the line of demarcation, forget the moral principles of life, they earn their wealth without any adherence to how they do it, cast their lustful looks left and right, then other evil creep in.

When Ravana could not accomplish his desires because it was against the structure of the society of that time then how can a frail person of modern times attain it? Even if for a moment it is gained, against all odds, it is a temporary gain and ends in mental anguish. Then they go to astrologers and ask for remedies, without realising that because of their karmas their stars have already lost their hue, lustre, and power.

By one bad action, all good effects of planets are washed out and by one good deed even debilitated planets show effects like exalted planets. So, Astrology is great, mathematical interpretations are fine, but unless we follow a moral path and keep the planets happy, good results will not come from a horoscope.  Such is the deep impact of your Karma!