The Astrological eMagazine
Chief Editor: Bangalore Niranjan Babu
फलानि ग्रहचारेण सूचयन्ति मनीषिणः ।
को वक्ता तारतम्यस्य तमेकं वेधसं विना ॥
फलानि ग्रहचारेण सूचयन्ति मनीषिणः ।
को वक्ता तारतम्यस्य तमेकं वेधसं विना ॥
The November 2019 issue of The Astrological eMagazine has been one of the most interesting and enriching magazines I have edited. You may ask why? As humans, we undertake a journey from birth to death. The journeys sole purpose should be become a better human being. Sanathana Dharma prescribes a framework to improve the quality of this journey. They detail four Arthas or purposes of life, each a stride in one’s life. These strides are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Mokha. Accordingly, we have articles related to all these four aspects.
To plan the four strides, one needs to first estimate his longevity. Vedic Astrology indicates many aspects of an individual’s life through a horoscope based on birth data. Most individuals are not comfortable in dealing with death, the ultimate material event of life. Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism considers death not only as merely the end of the physical body but also as the beginning of a new cycle for the eternal soul. Classical astrological texts indicate various planetary geometrical combinations that indicate the possible period for the end of life or death. In this context, what exactly does an astrological prediction covering a specific period for the end of life or death really indicate? Dr Bangalore Sureshwara says that horoscopic indications related to death is not fatalistic. He shares in detail a step by step procedure on how to estimate longevity.
Once the longevity is broadly understood, a human can plan the four strides with the help of Vedic Astrology. H.H. Sri Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji, Peethadhipathi of Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana Trust and all other branch trusts, including Sri Jnanakshi Educational Institutions Trust and Sri Rajarajeshwari Charitable Hospital Trust is the worthy successor to His Holiness Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal. Swamiji’s one and sole aim is to revive the glorious heritage of the Bhartiya Sanskriti in its totality with due respect and regard for all other world cultures and present the goodness of all cultures to the entire mankind in such a manner that everyone respects the other, irrespective of geographic, ethnic, language or any other differences, and ultimately attains God in all glory. He writes on the eternal relevance to Astrology in a human’s life.
As person progresses in the life, he are she enter’s into a sacred samskara known as Kalynam. Marriage – a cultural ritual that was once considered to be a very important part of a human’s life, has now lost its sanctity. Marriage is on a decline on every aspect across the world – marriages don’t last longer, marriages per human life has become multiple and marriage itself isn’t something that humans are interested in. It is time for us to take a moment to understand the real significance of marriage, the cultural and spiritual dimensions that it blooms, and the sacredness it attaches to a human. Sri Vamsi Krishna Ghanapathi very beautifully explains the meaning of Hindu Marriage or Kalyanam and how this great institution of life elevates the souls.
One of the most commonly used horoscopic jargon during marriage is Kuja Dosha. Kuja Dosha is the most wrongly understood concepts in Vedic Astrology. Fake and greedy astrologers freely use Kuja Dosha to extract money for innocent clients. Kartheek Darbha writes about Kuja Dosa and Misconceptions, burst the myths surrounding it.
Post marriage, there are other important activities that humans undertake – right from procreation to health to better job to travels or vacations to acquisition of houses, vehicles, lands and more. This is where Ashtamangala Prasna comes in handy. Ashtamangala Prasna is one of the celebrated branches of horary astrology unique to Kerala. It is a wonderful astrological procedure. Held in very high esteem, this technique has been carefully preserved and promoted by many great scholars of Kerala from the horary past to the modern times. No such system or procedure is seen followed in any other part of India. The rationale of Ashtamangala is beyond our comprehension like many other cannons of our astrological thoughts. It is proof positive that when astrology is in action in any Ashtamangala Prasna procedure, the presence of the Divine is felt that guides the astrologer apart from his erudition. Herein we find its greatness. A very senior Astrological Scholar who shed his mortal body has explained this branch of astrology in detail under the pen name Bharadwaja. He explains the steps involved in undertaking the Ashtamangala Prasna, the various dimensions one can analyse, and details on how this ritual or procedure needs to be analysed.
After acquisition of the first three strides – Dharma, Artha and Kama, the human as to now strive for Moksha. Moksha can be attained through various routes. However, there are certain stalwarts who have attained Moksha through rigourous Sanyasa. Sanyasa is a very important aspect in Sanatana Dharma or the Vedic lifestyle. The word Sanyasa is understood to mean different things in different contexts. For example, in Rasayana Shastra, Sanyasa refers to a state of being when a person faints. Further, in the Varnashrama style of living, Sanyasa is the fourth stride of life, where a person is expected to move away from worldly desires and focus on spiritual advancement. Perhaps the best definition is given by Lord Krishna. In Bhagawad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 3, Lord Krishna defines Sanyasa to Arjuna –
काम्यानां कर्मणां न्यासं सन्न्यासं कवयो विदु: |
सर्वकर्मफलत्यागं प्राहुस्त्यागं विचक्षणा: ||
A person who donates the fruits of all actions, ie undertakes tyaga, will then profess to be able to involuntarily stay away from the desires and outcomes, such a person becomes a Sanyasi. Attaining Sanyasa is very difficult. It is not for the common man. However, certain combinations in the horoscope easily facilitate achieving this while, while even more stronger combinations make the person Sanyasi by birth. Sri Ramadas Rao shares his views on Sanyasa Yoga, how it should be interpreted in various horoscopes, and shows its role in great horoscopes like that of Jagadhguru Sri Madhvacharya, Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue. If you would like to share your views with us, feel free to reach out to me at info@astrologicalmagazine.com
