This book presents the ancient Hindu astrology in its occult and esoteric aspects. Traditional practitioners often failed to defend the veracity of the subject and dispel the skepticism of modern intellectuals. The ancient revelations have been restated here to meet contemporary requirements.
The ancient seers presented Vedic Astrology under various assumptions and in allegorical and symbolic languages. They assumed polydimensional extension of human consciousness which was closely related with planetary impulses. Apart from the general approach to this ancient science, the study presents in depth the astrological description of the nature of man. It also provides deeper implications of various planetary combinations.
Advanced practitioners as well as general readers will find the book informative, illuminating and highly rewarding.
Bepin Behari, an Economist by profession, an alumnus of Patna and London Universities, retired from the Government of India service as a diplomat. He has studied Vedic Astrology for more than fifty years and has published more than fifteen books on the subject. He has lectured in several European countries and in the United States. His articles have been published in English, Dutch and Spanish. Currently some of his books are being translated into French and German. He is recognized as one of the foremost Vedic astrologers of the world. His Revelation of Lunar Mansions and Zodiacal Signs has already acquired an international readership. His forthcoming title The Law of Ultimate Destiny is expected to lay down a novel foundation for New Age Astrology.
Serious students of Hindu astrology have recently become concerned about the status of this ancient subject. There is considerable scepticism about astrology and astrological predictions. Occasionally there occurs vehement outbursts from ill-informed and misguided physical scientists against this ancient occult science.
During the Vedic period, the people were clear about their goal in life and lived in harmony with Nature. They lived a life which was in harmony with the seen and unseen powers regulating and guiding human development. In Indian scriptures when stellar configurations were mentioned on important occasions such as births of sovereigns, avatars, and wars between the devas and the asuras, the basic objective was to show that every event in our life takes place according to a divine plan, which could be deciphered by those who already knew the language of the Stars. The knowledge of this science was given out to make the people conform with their inner nature and ultimate destiny and beneficent natural forces. Presently, we have slipped away from this spiritual goal, so even the ancient science of astrology lost some of its ancient shine. But nowadays, some serious students are coming up who desire to revive the pristine glory of this occult science, retrieve this esoteric knowledge and reinstate its original status.
The basic principles of Hindu astrology which prevailed during the Vedic civilisation, disappeared during the last thousand years or so but some of its superficial aspects remained with the public, to remind of its past glory and vast possibilities. Since the middle of the last century, there has been a revival. Vedic astrology is an ancient science and a subject with great possibilities. It is considered a system of knowledge which could unveil a bit of our future. It is also felt that it has a great potential for providing an impetus for pious living. The impetus thus received made many self—effacing volunteers search for ancient manuscripts, bring them to light, translate them into modem languages and disseminate them for wider consumption. This great efflux of predictive rules increased the popularity of the subject. Books on astrology began to appear in public. Many astrologers began to make remarkable predictions. This was indeed a very encouraging comeback.
Temptation to make use of the subject for undesirable objectives, however, could not be checked. During the Second World War, each side began to recruit astrologers to read the charts of army generals and to seek their help in destroying the enemy’s manoeuvres. The revelations of the hidden messages of Nature became a means of acquiring personal glory and to destroy mankind. The cessation of armed hostilities brought to the fore the emergence of many new political parties and a new brand of industrialists. They became regular customers of this new commodity. Every street corner became full of ‘astrologers’ who could predict the fluctuations in the stock exchange, the fate of political parties, and the behaviour of other countries. It was a period of great expansion of the astrological market. This deflected the gaze of serious students from the basic objectives of the occult science and in competition with the newly emerging brand of astrologers, they could not succeed in retrieving the earlier grandeur of the subject.
There are two main reasons for serious concern. First, the growing technological advancement along with its social and psychological fall-out made the new physical scientists much against astrology. Second, the ancient seers had emphasised the need for austerities and spiritual code of life for those who practised this subject for revealing future to others. This was a very difficult requirement which very few persons could or were prepared to practise. Thus there has been a revolt against the revival of ancient astrology in the new world. It required that those who delved in this subject acknowledged the reality of the unseen forces and the unseen deities. Those who did not have occult siddhis and clairvoyance, vehemently denied such possibilities. Yet they liked to experiment and assess the validity of astrological predictions. They are the persons who present the greatest hindrance against the propagation of ancient astrology. A new factor relevant in the present context has been the approach of the present day (serious) astrologers. There are many pious astrologers who are practising the subject in right earnest, but they think that the astrological knowledge is concerned only with predictions of one’s future and suggestion of palliatives. But there is a positive aspect of the subject as well. Astrology is not concerned with maladies, afflictions, child births, promotions, marriages and sorrows of life. Presently, many thoughtful persons have begun questioning the purpose of life, meaning of death, the basic causes of their adverse conditions of life and such other matters. They are concerned with fundamental questions of sorrows, anomalies of life- conditions, and the best—suited course for them. These are some of the questions with which astrology is, in fact, vitally related. This is a new dimension in the emerging scenario of astrological counselling. The present study aims at showing the relevance of astrology in this context.
The present study throws some new light atleast on the five aspects of astrological counselling. First, the emerging attitude to astrology does not require silencing the opponents and the psuedo- scientists who are increasingly becoming impatient with (and even afraid of) growing popularity and new proofs of the validity of astrological predictions and its rationale. There are some astrologers who think that the so-called ‘scientists’ must be silenced otherwise their (astrologers’) profession, earnings and sustenance would be jeopardised. But in case, new scope of astrological counselling is accepted and the astrologers reorient themselves to new dimensions of astrology and wean themselves away from sensationalism, their apprehensions could to a great extent be eliminated.
Second, the new astrological science should take into consideration the wisdom-base of world religions in deeper understanding of astrological principles. An Introduction to Esoteric Astrology aimed at showing that the ancient religions of the world have much to contribute to the understanding of zodiacal signs and the planetary disposition. Later, A Study in Astrological Occultism, tried to show that astrology is a part of the science which tries to understand deeper impulses. It also tried to indicate that astrological principles could be helpful in one’s yogic practices. Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology discussed in depth how zodiacal signs, planets and nakshatras are parts of extensive occult forces working behind human evolution and how the ancient seers explained these laws in mystery languages which could be studied with advantage by us. In the present study, we have devoted a major portion of the study in giving certain basic principles of this line of research which can be effectively pursued further by those who wish to do so.
Third, the study attempts to discuss the goal of one’s evolutionary course which could, to some extent, be discovered on the basis of astrological principles already available with us in classical texts. Every event of our life is directed towards accomplishment of our goal in life. Modern psychology has already explored this aspect to a great extent. On the basis of astrological principles, this line of study can be pursued further, taking individual uniqueness into consideration in counselling and study. Thus making astrology related with brighter aspects of life and a confident living despite various sorrowful and difficult conditions of existing situations.
Fourth, it solves some of the enigmas of astrological laws which one finds in classical treatises. The various planetary combinations, as well as descriptions of wrong planetary position, needs to be understood in the changing situations of modem society. The effects of exalted planets, Pancha Mahapurusha Yogas, Kala Sarpa Yoga are some of the planetary combinations which often baffle astrology students. Principles like Bhavat Bhavam which have been indicated in classical texts but not well explained, have been discussed in this study to clarify and guide its utilization in a better and more meaningful way.
Fifth, and the most important contribution of this study is to indicate the manner in which some of the sorrowful events in one’s life could be traced back to one’s previous birth and how they could be effectively counteracted. The palliatives such as gems, mantras, charities. etc., usually practised by many astrologers and found helpful by many individuals, in the long-run do not absolve the individuals from their karmas. Generally, these maladies appear to them at a later stage and in some cases with greater virulence. An effective remedy against them lies in psychological reorientation of oneself and initiating counterveiling forces. The lessons from adverse forces have to be learnt and life-pattern suitably altered in order to align oneself with one’s inner impulsions. A deeper study of patterns in one’s horoscope unveils some of these features. This study in fact is not meant to be exhaustive. It only aims to show and suggest some new angles from which to approach the ancient Indian astrology which could operate as a guide to one’s everyday life. Many persons have helped in its evolution. Many editors and astrologers have cooperated and supported the concretisation of this volume. The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore, with its erudite editor and pioneer in Indian astrology, Dr. B.V. Raman, enabled me to share my early thoughts on some of these subjects with his readers. Interaction with many of the serious renders helped me immensely. The encouragement accorded by Dr. B.V. Raman helped me to propose the ideas more ardently. Late R. Santhanam, the founder of The Times of Astrology, New Delhi, and its discerning editor from its inception provided me valuable facilities for giving vent to my emerging ideas. Without his help and assistance, many of these ideas would have died in absence of proper nourishment. Many overseas publications have also rendered their cooperation in this undertaking. Spanish version of "Intergration of Personality" and of "Profession and Marriage" appeared in Revista Astrologica Mercurio, Barcelona, Spain, and "Shadow Planets: Rahu and Ketu" appeared in The Mountain Astrologer California, USA. The author is very much thankful to all these editors for their cooperation and assistance.
In the end, I would like to thank and express my gratitude to a large number of friends and well—wishers without whose constant encouragement, this publication would not have been possible.
The reader will often find an unusual aroma of influences pervading throughout the study. I felt this influence myself many a time. It makes me feel that I have merely been a mouthpiece of invisible thought—currents circulating these days in the astrological world. I am extremely grateful to these unseen powers which have enabled me to articulate them. The real test of the usefulness of this effort however lies with readers. If they feel aroused to new thought currents, whether in conformity with these or at variance with them, I will consider my efforts successful.
I am also thankful to the readers for their perusal and study of this book. It makes me immensely satisfied that the effort is rewarded. There is much in this publication which new as well as advanced students will find useful and if they consider it worth- while to send me their comments, I shall be very appreciative of their responses.
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