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 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ramanuja/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ramanuja-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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