Monday, December 25, 2023

Vedic Astrology: A Review

  Vedic Astrology: A Review

1. The Interconnected Cosmos and Astrological Premises

Consider these phenomena: snowfall in the Himalayas brings cold waves to Madhya Pradesh; the full moon coincides with ocean tides. When soldiers march in step across a bridge, it can start to tremble; if we shake one pendulum in a connected series, neighboring ones begin to move – a principle known as 'resonance'.

The entire cosmos is profoundly interconnected, with every particle seemingly entangled with others. One incident can cause another to occur; nothing exists in true isolation. Everything is not only connected but also interdependent, forming a unified whole. In the beginning, as the Vedas state, ‘एकोऽहम् बहुस्याम’ (I am One, may I become many), all was one, and from this unity arose multiplicity. This ancient insight can be seen as a philosophical precursor to concepts like the Big Bang theory. The scientific notion of a 'singularity' before the Big Bang parallels the Vedic concept of ‘Advaita’ (non-duality). The immense force that triggered the Big Bang and its origins remain largely inexplicable by current science. This difficulty in explaining the 'first cause' is perhaps why Advaita philosophy regards creation itself as ‘Maya’ (illusion), asserting that the underlying reality is, and always has been, One – a concept that can be challenging to grasp.

We cannot perceive the universe in its totality because we are an intrinsic part of it, and a part cannot fully comprehend the whole. We are often forced to observe the world in fragments. Just as we cannot see ourselves completely, we are unable to behold the entirety of the universe. The universe, in essence, is a singular, immeasurable entity; our attempts to count or measure it can inadvertently diminish our appreciation of its vastness and superiority over our current understanding.

An incident in one part of the universe affects other parts. The magnitude of this effect depends on the distance and the intensity of the incident. Our solar system is like a family or a self-contained body, which itself is part of the larger family or body of the universe. All components within the solar system affect each other; thus, Earth is influenced by other planets. Each celestial body possesses its own nature and exerts its impact accordingly.

The ancient Sages studied celestial bodies moving on specific paths (e.g., within the zodiac) and observed their effects on Earth. They made concerted efforts to determine these effects based on angular positions and speeds.

A crucial question arises: why are humans so particularly affected by these celestial influences, and why do these effects differ among individuals?

It can be posited that consciousness is more sensitive than inert material, and fluids are more responsive than solids. The moon's gravitational force visibly affects the ocean's tides but not, in the same overt way, solid mountains. Similarly, the impact of a malevolent gaze or intention from one person might differ when directed at a child, a teenager, an adult, a woman, a plant, or a stone. The effect arguably depends on the sensitivity of the consciousness involved and its level of development.

All components of the world affect each other, though some effects may not be directly visible. A wooden table in a house is slowly degraded by sunlight, but we may not perceive this process directly because its rate of change is extremely slow, potentially taking millennia to turn to ash.

The mechanisms governing the human brain rely on or are influenced by subtle neurochemical balances (akin to fluids, like hormones). At the moment of birth, when an individual transitions from one environment to another and opens their eyes to an unknown world, the planetary positions can significantly influence this delicate system, which is highly sensitive to external stimuli. This birth event is a most critical juncture in human life.

Indian Vedic Rishis studied how constellations and planetary bodies, separately or jointly, exert effects at particular angular positions on human beings, and from these observations, they developed the principles of Astrology. There are many subjects still to be researched in science; this does not mean that unverified phenomena do not exist. The law of gravitation operated long before it was formally discovered. Science is progressive and incomplete; many important discoveries are yet to be made, and science has often had to revise its prior conclusions.

We should avoid all forms of superstition, including what might be termed "scientific superstition"—the rigid adherence to current scientific dogma as infallible. Many scientific beliefs and rules have been challenged and subsequently proven wrong. Edwin Hubble's discovery disproved Einstein's theory of a static universe. The initial understanding of light as purely particulate was challenged by its wave nature, and contemporary research acknowledges its dual wave-particle nature. The Double Slit experiment, in particular, reveals the profound mystery at the heart of quantum mechanics. Pluto was once considered a planet, then demoted, and now some scientists advocate for its reinstatement as a planet. Quantum physics has even led to questions about the classical theory of causality. These are just a few examples, and we can expect more such revisions in the future.

I am not a rigid supporter of any current assumption, because our understanding is not perfect. All branches of knowledge are in constant progress, and there is always the possibility of new discoveries. Therefore, we must remain open-minded and avoid dogmatism in any form.

Science is a powerful and honest method in its pursuit of understanding how the world works, but it is a process of seeking truth, not a fixed body of absolute truth. When science changes its opinion, it is not lying; it is evolving. I hope that it will achieve greater certainty, sooner or later.

2. A Critical Look at Contemporary Vedic Astrology

Many intellectuals publicly refrain from astrology, yet some may engage in what could be seen as hypocrisy. They often adopt an anti-astrology stance to appear modern, yet they might seek astrological counsel when facing personal problems. Conversely, some intellectuals genuinely oppose astrology, and I can understand their perspective, having once been critical of it myself.

However much individuals may appeal to logic and conscience, in managing their personal lives, they often follow inherent tendencies and subconscious assumptions, sometimes giving preference to weak arguments that favor their pre-existing beliefs. This applies to both proponents and opponents of astrology.

The systematic pursuit and organization of knowledge is often called science. Many people hold a narrower definition, conflating 'systematic study' strictly with the 'scientific method' (often meaning only empirical, repeatable experimentation), thereby excluding many traditional branches of knowledge from the domain of science. It is often claimed that the scientific method is the only true method of acquiring knowledge and that knowledge obtained thus is uniquely authentic. While insights or perceptions of 'factual events' might be attained through other means (such as intuition, deep meditation, or other subtle senses), their widespread acceptance as objectively authentic often requires examination and validation, where possible, through aspects of the scientific method.

It is plausible that foundational astrological knowledge was also developed through systematic observation and analysis, akin to early forms of the 'scientific method'. Over its long history, however, many inaccuracies and unreasonable assertions appear to have crept into its practice. The use of uncertain and unscientific grounds for some astrological calculations is sufficient to keep this knowledge outside the perimeter of 'science' as commonly defined today. Resistance to standardizing rules, the interference of religious dogma, and other such factors weaken this field of knowledge. Some of these points are detailed here:

a) The Disputed Computational Basis:

The main pillar of Vedic astrological calculations is 'Ayanamsha' (precessional correction), which remains a highly controversial subject. With numerous Ayanamshas in use, each astrologer is often free to choose their own, akin to using different scales of measurement. This is a fundamentally unscientific approach. Astrologers may meticulously calculate planetary positions down to minutes and seconds for divisional charts, yet this precision becomes illusory if the foundational Ayanamsha differs, potentially leading to entirely different horoscopes for the same individual, and consequently, divergent interpretations and predictions. Many other such issues exist, including varying definitions of 'Sunrise' and differing methodologies for divisional charts.

b) Lack of Normative Standards and Irresponsible Guidance:

There is often a lack of standardized norms. For instance, there is only one Sachin Tendulkar, yet multiple, differing horoscopes for him are reportedly in circulation. Consider an instance where a highly experienced and even awarded astrologer initially used a Scorpio ascendant for a public figure like Narendra Modi, only to switch to a Libra ascendant based on new information. If the predicted outcome (e.g., becoming Prime Minister) remained the same despite a significant change in birth time (and thus ascendant and Dasa sequence), it raises serious questions about the method's consistency and predictive power.

Other prominent astrologers might rely on 'sixth sense,' media reports, or anecdotal advice to 'rectify' or determine a birth time, rather than consistently applying established astrological rules for chart rectification, even when the individual's detailed life story is available for verification.

Satisfactory, standardized rules for determining planetary strength and predicting results are often lacking. Clear guidelines to definitively determine which planetary configuration is stronger than another in a comparative sense are also frequently absent. A systematic, comparative study of planets’ positions and strengths is rarely seen. Consequently, interpretations can often seem inconsistent or contradictory.

Leading figures in the field are often not perceived to be seriously working towards resolving these anomalies. Vedic astrology needs proponents of scientific thinking and rigorous methodology, not well-meaning but ultimately detrimental approaches, much like the proverbial 'monkey friend' whose attempt to ward off a fly from the king's face with a sword proves harmful.

Every astrologer can likely list their successful predictions, while often overlooking or not discussing numerous incorrect ones, a classic example of confirmation bias.

c) Lack of Critical Study:

Criticism is the intellectual mode of discussing a subject by examining its goals, merits, and demerits. The task of criticism is to analyze a composition or theory thoroughly and evaluate its form and quality. It is a broad concept involving the analytical evaluation of a genre, writer, or tendency. Criticism, in this context, does not mean mere fault-finding; a balanced critique should examine both strengths and weaknesses.

A significant drawback in contemporary Vedic astrology is the apparent lack of space for constructive criticism. Critiques of theories or beliefs are often taken as personal attacks. It is not unheard of for some astrologers to pressure publications to remove articles or comments that challenge their beliefs, displaying an intolerance to critical discourse.

d) The Need to Separate Astrology from Dogmatic Religion:

To develop astrology along more scientific or at least systematically verifiable lines, it may be necessary to distinguish its practice from purely religious dogma. Astrological remedies could, to some extent, be interpreted through a psychological or symbolic lens. The 'worship' aspect often associated with remedies is, in many ways, a psychological process.

The philosophical stance of God or an absolute power pervading the cosmos and its laws is one thing. However, attributing every phenomenon directly and simplistically to divine intervention within astrological practice may not be conducive to its systematic development. This linkage to religion can lead people to expect miracles, and unfortunately, some astrologers may exploit these naive sentiments for personal gain.

Similarly, Vastu principles might be partly explainable through psychological factors and principles of harmonious integration with the natural environment, rather than solely through superstition or unverified claims.

The aim of Vedic culture has always been enlightenment – knowing the Absolute. Whether in lifestyle, knowledge development, or even entertainment like music, all life-related fields were traditionally developed to aid in the process of enlightenment. The dictum ‘सा विद्या या विमुक्तये’ (True knowledge is that which liberates) encapsulates the primary motive behind developing any branch of knowledge within Vedic culture.

The Rishis' motive in developing Vedic astrology was primarily to understand the cosmic system and its influence on earthly creatures. This understanding reveals our integrity with the cosmos, showing that we are not separate from the universe—a realization that astrology, in its purest form, can potentially deepen. Just as the existence and motion of other planets regulate Earth's behavior (e.g., tides), important aspects of human life are also influenced by the cosmos, as we are an integral part of it. This perspective strengthens the philosophy of Advaita: we are all interconnected, not separate. Astrology, at its best, could help one realize this truth.

Secondly, it may offer insights into an individual's subconscious tendencies, which can be useful for making life decisions at crucial stages. Unfortunately, nowadays, astrology is often relegated to being a mere tool for materialistic pursuits.

No human being or system of knowledge is complete or absolute; perhaps only a concept of the Divine is. No single person's understanding is final, beyond which we cannot or should not think. We need to progress with new ideas and logical thinking, remaining open to experimentation and rigorous inquiry.


Raghvendra Khare

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