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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00008 Aug 2006

 
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This is in response to Mr. Suresh Iyengar's question regarding 
Predictive Astrology:

Based on what I have learned from my mentors, and this is something that 
you would already as one who believes in prapatti, the ups, downs, goods 
and bads of life are really only in the Hands of the Supreme Being Who 
is the Absolute Ruler and Benefactor of this entire universe.  If He 
Chooses to Bestow His Grace, there is literally nothing in this universe 
that can prevent Him from doing so, not even the individual to Whom this 
Grace is Offered.

Knowing that, I think we can have the confidence to begin to examine the 
extant of astrology and astronomy - which are most certainly contained 
in the Vedas - as a rational and scientific study of the stars and 
planetary alignments.  From this vantage point, we can see how, 
centuries before the Greeks, Vedic astronomy had determined with 
pin-point accuracy, the clear position of stars, planets, and 
constellations in the sky at various times of year, and how this could 
be used to determine the movement of livestock, when and how to plant 
crops, etc.   How this was done remains a mystery, but the very fact 
that human beings had the potential to put together such a complex 
framework of scientific analysis should make us really admire our 
predecessors for their innovative ideas.

Regarding whether or not this science could be used to determine the 
characteristics and future of people and nations, this perhaps could 
have been the result of some sort of statistical analysis, noting an 
even or behavioral pattern over time and relating it back to the 
astrological configurations.  It could be safe to assume that since the 
early peoples could predict the behavior of crops, the arrival of 
monsoons, animal migration, and so on using astrology, this same science 
could be used to determine the behavior of human beings, compatibility 
in marriage, the reasons behind illness or bad luck, and so on.   Soon, 
such ideas could have easily become part and parcel of the common 
culture, in as much as the horoscope is part of any good newspaper or 
web home page today.  And with its popularization naturally came 
inaccuracies like the ones you have identified.

To what extent astrology is true is largely based on our level of faith 
in it as it compares/contrasts with our faith in the Divine.  But, I 
think to merely shun it as mere superstition would be to ignore an 
important element in our rich heritage.  Going the other extreme, and 
believing in it as some holy writ because it is part of the Vedas would 
also be wrong, as it would challenge the Supremacy of Sriman Narayana 
and His Nirhetuka Krupa.

I think a more even-tempered approach is required, one that appreciates 
astrology as part of our cultural customs, but only to the extent that 
it does not question our belief in the Supreme Being.

I hope this helps.

adiyen











Azhvar EmberumAnAr JeeyAr ThiruvadigalE Saranam 
http://www.vedics.net

 
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