Is Religion an insult to human dignity!

 Is Religion an insult to human dignity!

A famous saying by the Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg has long been a favourite of mine:

“Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.”

Such aphorisms are compelling. They are easy to recite and create an illusion of being profoundly thought-provoking. However, upon closer examination, they often reveal a simplification of reality. We tend to craft our rules and maxims for extremes—the upper class or the lower class, the saint or the sinner—while ignoring the vast, complex middle ground where most of humanity resides.

Ruler's Forced Departure: An Annual Chart Analysis

 Astrological Indicators for a Ruler's Forced Departure: An Annual Chart Analysis

(Reproduced from Modern Astrology, Bangaluru, October 2025)

The annual horoscope of a nation (Varshaphala) can provide critical insights into the stability of its government. Specific planetary configurations can indicate a period of intense pressure, potentially forcing a ruler to step down from their position. The following astrological indications, when found concurrently in an annual chart, create such a possibility.

The Astrological Framework for an Unstable Government

Determinism or Free Will

 Determinism or Free Will

I don’t have a definitive answer, but there are thought processes that can help us reflect more deeply on this question. You may find some satisfaction in contemplating them.

The Question of Origins

Did consciousness create the universe, or did the universe give rise to consciousness?

If consciousness evolved from matter, then we must first examine the material world. Consider the planets, stars, and galaxies—vast structures bound by the laws of physics such as gravity, motion, and thermodynamics. They obey fixed, predictable principles with no sign of independent will. How, then, could consciousness—something fluid, adaptive, and self-aware—emerge from such constrained systems?

Ayanamsa on the practical ground

 !!Ayanamsa on the practical ground!!

(Modern Astrology, May 2025)

The Ayanamsa is a central pillar of Vedic or sidereal astrology. This is the basis for the correct position of planets. Unfortunately, it is vital as it is disputed too.

Ayanamsa (Sanskrit ayanāṃśa: Ayana "movement" + aṃśa "component") is the Sanskrit term in Vedic astronomy for the amount of precession in astrology, which is the longitudinal difference between the tropical (Sāyana) and sidereal (Nirayana) zodiacs.

There are many Ayanamsas in vogue. Everyone is free to create their own! Astrology is not a science until now, like science, which has an undisputed and globally accepted base.

Out of many Ayanamsas, only three are essential and widely used. These are Lahiri, Raman, and Krishnamurthy. The values of Lahiri and Krishnamurthy Ayanamsas are too close and have some differences only on the second level. So, we will not consider both separately. So, only two Ayanamsa are in the picture, Raman and Lahiri. I don`t know much about the astronomical mathematical process that works in this issue. Here, I will compare the above two on practical grounds with the help of some astrological clues. The concept or rule that is logical and systematic surely fits on the practical ground. I found Lahiri Ayanamsa more accurate than others. But please don`t think of it as any kind of remark to others. This is part of the learning process.

Riots and the zodiacal sign of a state or country

 Riots and the zodiacal sign of a state or country

(Modern Astrology, February 2024)

The formula for calculating the Zodiacal sign of a place is a wonderful invention in the field of predictive astrology. It has many uses; one is to know probable trends of the kingdom in the upcoming year, using the annual horoscope of the state or country. Many special natural, social, and political incidents happen every year in the state. Some natural, sometimes social, and political events prove to be painful for the public. We get to see the pre-signs of all such incidents in the annual horoscope of the state or country. Natural accidents, changes in governance, danger to the king, and social upheavals such as riots, etc., can be predicted accurately from the year horoscope of the state. There is economic loss due to riots, and many lives and the respect of women are also at stake. Here I am presenting a brief study of the annual horoscope about it. Knowing these incidents ahead of time, we can make proper arrangements for their prevention.