RELIGION AND ASTROLOGY

                                       ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

Religion and astrology are two different subjects. People in our country and particularly the Hindus, have a misconception that astrology is an integral part of and/or approved by religion. They also believe that astrology originated in the Vedas. The fact, however, is otherwise. Astrology and religion are completely two different subjects. Astrology originated in Babylon. When astrology came to India from the middle-east countries via Greece and Egypt, it was rejected by our sages on the ground that it is not useful to human life and society. The Vedas and the Upanisadas, which are the very basis of Hinduism, do not deal with anything relating to astrology. Vedas nowhere state of any relation between a planet in the sky and a person’s life, character and destiny. It do not prescribe the rules for casting the horoscope and also do not prescribe the rules for making predictions on the basis of stars and planets and their positions in the sky. On the other hand The Vedas and the Upanishads condemned the subject and its faith stating that it takes a person to the darkest regions of ignorance.

It is admitted that there are many reference about astrology & astrological predictions in the Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The people of that period of time believed, for one reason or other, in astrology and astrological predictions. And that is the reason it is mentioned in the stories in the Puranas and the Epics. However, It may please be noted that the Vedas and the Upanisadas are the texts which are the basis and foundation of Hinduism and Hindu religion. When those texts condemn a subject, no other text can overrule that verdict and can neither authenticate nor endorse it.
Srimad Bhagbat Gita teaches us to have faith on one's own self and on God alone. Religious texts irrespective of faith, creed or class do not deal or deliberate on stars and planets or the methods of calculation of human destiny on the basis of those inanimate objects in the sky. Great religious teachers, sadhus and saints such as Sankaracharyya, Madhabacharyya, Ramanuja, Mahavira, Gautam Buddha, Chaitanya Dev, Guru Nanak, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Guru Ramanand, Sant Kabir, Tailanga Swami and also great Tantric sadhaks like Bama Khsyapa, Kamalakanta and others did never preach or advice people on the basis of such faith. Goutama Buddha prohibited his disciples to study, preach or practice on the basis of such faith. Guru Nanak Ji openly condemned it. Swami Vivekananda condemned it being a weakness of the mind and asked people to be brave and face life with faith on one's own self and on God alone.
In  other major religion around the world, such as Christianity and Islam, there is no mention of any relation between the stars and planets in the sky and a man’s life and destiny. 

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       IS ASTROLOGY A SCIENCE OR HAS ANY SCIENTIFIC BASIS?

                               ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

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Astrologers claim that the subject is based on science. They also claim that mathematical calculations are made to ascertain the ascendant and the positions of stars and planets in the birth chart or the horoscope. They also claim that the position of stars and planets in the horoscope is based on astronomy. That is the reason forwarded in support of their claim. There is no doubt that the ascendant and the position of stars and planets are made on the basis of a branch of science which is known as positional astronomy. It is also admitted that some mathematical calculation are required to be made to draw the birth chart. It is also claimed that a number of predictions have come true and therefore it is a science. But is it enough to make a claim that the subject matter is a science or a subject is based on science or logical and scientific truth? Just because a number of predictions have come true in a particular case or cases does not make it a science. It must explain a cause & effect relationship between the planetary position and the predictions and must also explain through experiments and demonstrations that stars and planets affects human life and destiny as per the position of stars & planets as stated in the theories & rules in astrology. Astrologers, as an example of planets’ influence mention the tide and ebb and change of mood in some persons on full moon and new moon days. There is no denying the fact that a matter physically attracts another matter and it causes events. But how can it also explain a change in a man’s destiny, say getting a better job or fixing of his/her marriage? In that way, even a flower, a garbage dump in front of your house, a tree, a river, ocean or a mountain also plays a part in a person’s life, his mood and in his life style in many ways. The main point is whether the positions of stars and planets and predictions can be explained in a logical and scientific manner. Ownership of zodiac by planets, friendship & enmity between planets, exaltation & debilitation of planets are some of the rules of astrology which do not have any logical or scientific basis and are not supported by any branches of science. Zodiac holds an important part in astrology. All astrological predictions depend on the position of planets in a zodiac sign. But it is known fact that zodiac signs are imaginary figures created by human beings by drawing imaginary lines between a few stars which appear to be lying close to each other in the sky. But we know that those stars in a zodiac sign are not close to one another vertically or horizontally. And also we know that a zodiac sign is not a body formed by nature but was created by human imagination.  Therefore it is clear that all predictions based on planatory positions based on zodiac signs are also imaginary and not real. Nobody, so far, answered to the points raised above and/or explained and established the cause & effect relationship between planetary position and human destiny and established through experiments and demonstrations that such claim can be scientifically and logically proved.

           DETERMINATION  OF BIRTH STAR IN ASTROLOGY

                                ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

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  How is it determined that one is born under a particular star ? It is determined according to the position of Moon nearest to the star in the sky. Am I right ? Therefore the position of the star concerned is the vital point in determining the birth star. Now the main point is that the stars in the sky are very far away in the sky. It is also a fact that when we see any object, we only see it either by the light emitted by it or by reflection of light. We also know that light takes time to travel. The light from the Sun takes about eight (8) minutes to travel from the Sun to our eyes on earth. In the same way, light from stars takes time to reach our eyes. Light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. A light year means the distance covered by running at the speed of light, i.e.at the speed of 1,86,000 miles per second.  The stars in the sky are so far away that even at such high speed,  light takes many years to travel from a star in the sky to our eyes on earth. Most of the stars in the 12 zodiac signs are between 50 light years to 1000 light years away from the earth. It means that light takes about 50 years to travel from the star to our eyes on earth in case of a star which is 50 light years away from earth. If the star is 500 light years away, light will take 500 years to travel from the star to the earth. So, when we see a star at a particular point in the sky, we see the light emitted by it some 50, 100, 500 or 1000 years prior to the time we see it. The star actually may or may not be in the same position as we see it. We only see the light and decide that the star is at that point only and make our calculation of position of Moon, and other planets in the sky. The entire calculation process is based on the assumption that the star is actually there where we see it. But this assumption is an assumption only and not the truth. 
On the basis of the above facts it is clear that the astrological theory that life and destiny of a person has any relation with stars including the zodiac signs and position of planets are all based on assumptions and imaginary ideas and are not real.

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PLANETS AND THEIR POWERS & QUALITIES.

We shall now consider the question about the qualities and powers of the various planets. The planets, as we see, are objects in the sky revolving around the Sun. However, in astrology, even the Sun is believed to be a planet. In astrology, it is believed that each planet has some qualities. For example Jupiter possesses the qualities of  wisdom,. Mars is considered  to represent courage, Mercury with intelligence, Venus for love etc. The planets also have the powers of not only influencing a person’s life and character but also power of doing either good or bad and also according to the position held by it in the horoscope.  It is believed that Dev Guru Brihaspati, Daitya Guru Shukra, and other such Gurus and renowned powerful persons act through the planets. Some of us also believe that God acts through the planets & stars to reward or punish the people.  In other words the planets are a form of those great people/characters acting on the earth and on everything on earth. It is further believed that Dev Guru Brihaspati, Daitya Guru Shukra, Shnaischara, Budha, Mangal etc. are one of the various and  different forms, characteristics, qualities and aspects of “SAKARA BRAHMA”. 

There is no denying the fact that each planet is named after one of the renowned persons or characters, whether historical or fictional. Brihaspati or Jupiter is named after Dev Guru or Greek God Jupiter. Shukra or Venus is named after Daitya Guru or Greek Goddess Venus. Etc. The planets are named after them. But does it mean that those planets, which are inanimate objects in the sky, also acquired the qualities and powers of the persons/characters after whom they were named ?  

You are aware that places, roads, buildings etc are named after some reputed persons, such as Gandhi Bhavan, Patel Nagar etc. So, in earlier days when people studying the sky, discovered a planet, they used to recognise it in the name of some reputed person/character of that or earlier period.. Thus when a planet was discovered, they used to name it after a renowned person like Dev Guru Brihaspati (Jupiter) or Shukracharyya (Venus), Shanaiischara (Saturn )etc. When a building is named after, say a poet or a singer, does the building  acquire the qualities of the poet or the singer and can write poems or start singing.?  Any such idea is simply ridiculous. A road named after a politician statesman, does not become a statesman. The building or the road remains a building or a road only. Thus when a planet was named after a renowned person the planet does not acquire the qualities and powers of that person but remains what it is, that is an inanimate object in the sky, revolving round the Sun. There is no scientific  proof of the planets possessing any such powers & qualities as is believed in astrology. According to Hindu Puranas, Budha (Mercury) is the son of Chandra (Moon). But, as we know, Budha (Mercury) is a planet of the SUN and Chandra (Moon) is a satellite of earth. Budha (Mercury) was not born out of Chandra (Moon) and has no relation, as such, between them. It is thus clear that the planets in the sky are not the same as the characters in the Hindu Puranas. The objects in the sky are only named after those Purana Characters. A mountain peak in the Himalayas was named after the then Head of Geological Survey of India Mr. Everest and the said peak became known, rather renowned as a challenge to adventure sportspersons as Everest, after the name of that Head of government officer. It will be ridiculous to assume that the mountain peak Everest thereby acquired the qualities, character and powers of the person named “Everest”. Gandhi Nagar, the city in Gujarat does not possess any othe powers and qualities of Mahatma Gandhi. The truth is that the planets do not possess any qualities and powers of the persons after whom those are named.

Therefore a planet or two or more planets occupying particular places in the sky is a natural phenomenon only and have no relation to a person's life and destiny. 

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                      DASHA VICHAR IN INDIAN ASTROLOGY

                                      ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

We shall now examine the theories relating to “Dasha Vichar”. We know that there are about 42 types of “Dasha Vichar according to the main texts of Indian Astrology but only Astottori, Vimshottori and Sorhasattori systems are mainly followed by the present day astrologers. According to these 3 systems and all other systems the maximum life span of human being is taken as 120 years as per Vimsottori system, 108 years as per Astottori and 116 years as per Sorhasottori system of Dasha Vichar. In this context it may be fairly concluded even according to the very ancient texts on Astrology, human life span is limited to 120 years at the maximum and is an admission of the fact that it was not possible for a Vedic sage to remain alive for more than that to study, compose, compile and finally write the astrological texts which are commonly known to be composed by Parashara, Bhrigu and Jaimini in Sanskrit language. (Please refer to my earlier post “VEDIC ASTRLOGY”- click on Older posts). The Dasha Vichar according to all the “Nakshatriki” systems including the three systems specifically mentioned above (Vimsottori, Astottori & Sorosattori) is calculated on the basis of Moon’s position in relation to one of 27 stars in the 12 zodiac signs. For example, according to Vimsottori system any person born when Moon is on Punarvasu, Vishakha or Purbavadrapada stars will be born with Jupiter dasha to start with and will follow Saturn, Mercury, Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars and Rahu dasha respectively one after the other. He will start with Sun dasha if Moon is on Krittika, Uttarfalguni or Uttarasarha stars at the time of birth. We are not going into the detailed list of dasha according to the different systems of dhasha vichar. Our main issue is regarding the position of Moon on or near about the star at the time of birth which, according to Indian system, decides the initial dasha and the subsequest dasha a person has to go through in his life one after the other.   

The vital question is when the Moon’s position vis-à-vis the star is so important in astrology for “ Dasha Vichar” and prediction purposes, is the method applied to calculate and arrive at the position of the Moon and the star at the time of birth of a person accurate? The method adopted is to find the Star which appears nearest to the Moon on the date and place at the appointed time. We must take into account three factors which are a) that the stars are far away in the sky, 2) we see an object either when the light emitted from it reaches our eyes or when light is reflected from the object and hits our eyes and 3) that it takes time for the light to travel from the object to our eyes on earth. It may be noted here that light travels at a speed of 186000 miles per second. But most of the stars are so far away from us that the light from those stars, even travelling at so high speed of 186000 miles per second requires a number of years. There are number of stars in our Milky Way galaxy light from which takes more than 100 years to reach us. Some of the stars take about 1000 years or more.  Light from most of the stars in the 12 zodiac signs takes about 50 to 500 years to reach the earth.

In that context, keeping in mind the facts stated above, it may be safely concluded that when we see a star at a particular position in the sky, the said star was at that position only at some 50, 500 or 1000 years ago according to the distance it is situated away from earth and not now when it appears before our eyes. If a star is 50 light years away from earth its today’s accurate position at a particular point of time in the sky will be known only after 50 years when the light emitted by it now will reach our eyes. If the star is 500 light years away from us, we will know its today’s position only after expiry of 500 years. Therefore when we see a star nearest to the Moon and decide the Birth Star of the new born on the basis of which the new born’s “Dasha Vichar” is done , it is not done on the basis of facts and actual position of the star but on a seeming assumption and as it appears at the particular time of observation but not truly. Therefore when we see Moon near the star Vishakha or say Revati and decide about the Dasha in which the child is born, Moon is actually nowhere near that star. The decision of the dasha in which the child is born is absolutely not correct and so also the subsequent Dasha which the new born has to go through according to the prevalent system of calculation. We may therefore conclude that the Dasha Vichar system is absolutely faulty and totally misleading.

In Indian astrology all horoscope Dasha Vichar is done on the Birth Star or the Star which appears nearest to Moon and the turn of Dasha of the planets during the life time of the person are calculated and predicted on the basis of that seeming assumption and as it appears and on not the basis of facts or the accurate position of the Star and Moon’s position at the time of birth. The position of Star as it appears at any point of time from a place on earth is not its accurate position but only appears to be so. Therefore the Dasha Vichar calculation is done on such assumption or assumed and faulty basis. The entire prediction process in astrology is, therefore, blatantly faulty and imaginary devoid of any relation with the facts. I find many people getting afraid of Shani or Rahu dasha or a Dasha of a malefic planet which is totally unnecessary. I hope. You, by now, are fully convinced that the year, date and time indicated in your horoscope when all those dreadful period of bad and malicious dasha is predicted in your life, (even for argument’s sake we assume such predictions to have any truth at all) are all done on a totally wrong calculation due to a misinterpretation of the actual position of the stars in the sky.

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          MOON SIGN OR RASHI IN INDIAN ASTROLOGY

                                      ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

In Indian Astrology Moon Sign or Rashi is also very important. The physical and mental features as well as nature and character of a person are determined on the basis of the Moon Sign or Rashi also. Not only that “Gochara Phalam” or transit of planets and their results are also arrived at on the basis of one’s Rashi. “Dasha Vichar” according to Vimsottori or Astottari etc systems of “Dasha Vichar” is determined according to the position of the Moon in relation to a star in a zodiac sign.  In Indian astrology when a horoscope is cast, the astrologer, therefore,  arrive at the Moon Sign or Rashi of the person based on the birth date, time and place of birth of the person and also the Star in which the Moon is positioned to calculate the “Dasha Vichar”.

What is the Rashi or Moon Sign ? In short, the Rashi of a person in his horoscope, is the zodiac sign in which Moon is found at the time of his birth. Say, a child is born at 4.30 Am at a certain place on a certain date. The astrologer, with the help of a Panchang or almanac or according to the positional astronomy, finds out the zodiac sign where the Moon is on that date and time. The zodiac on which Moon is or nearest to the Moon is the Rashi of the new born. The star which is nearest to the Moon at that time is called the “Birth Star” on which the “Dasha Vichar” is determined.

The vital question is when the Moon Sign or Rashi is so important in astrology for prediction purposes, is the method applied to calculate and arrive at the Rashi or Moon Sign accurate? The method adopted is to find the zodiac sign which appears nearest to the Moon on the date and place at the appointed time. We are aware that a zodiac sign is an imaginary figure arrived at by drawing imaginary lines between some stars which appears to be close to each other on a plane surface in the sky. The fact however is that those stars are far apart from one another both horizontally and also vertically and have no relationship among those as a cogent and homogenous and homologous body capable of a concerted power and action. Therefore, we know that zodiac signs, which are imaginary creations of human beings, comprises of stars. We must also note three more factors which are a) that the stars are far away in the sky, 2) we see an object either when the light emitted from it reaches our eyes or when light is reflected from the object and hits our eyes and 3) that it takes time for the light to travel from the object to our eyes on earth. It may be noted here that light travels at a speed of 186000 miles per second. But most of the stars are so far away from us that the light from those stars, even travelling at so high speed of 186000 miles per second requires a number of years. There are stars in our Milky Way galaxy light from which takes more than 100 years to reach us. Light from most of the stars in the 12 zodiac signs takes about 50 to 500 years to reach the earth.

In that context, keeping in mind the facts stated above, it may be safely concluded that when we see a star and a zodiac sign at a particular position the sky, the said star or the zodiac sign was at that position only at some 50 or 500 years ago according to the distance it is situated away from earth and not now when it appears before our eyes. If a star is 50 light years away from earth its today’s position at a particular point of time in the sky will be known only after 50 years when the light emitted by it now will reach our eyes. If the star is 500 light years away from us, we will know its today’s position only after expiry of 500 years. Therefore when we see a zodiac sign or a star nearest to the Moon and decide the Moon Sign or Rashi and Birth Star of the new born, it is not done on the basis of facts and actual position of the zodiac and the star or stars but on a seeming assumption and as it appears at the particular time of observation but not truly.

In Indian astrology all horoscope are prepared and Moon sign or Rashi and Birth Star are calculated on the basis of that seeming assumption and as it appears and on not the basis of facts. The zodiac signs are imaginary figures and the calculation is done on a faulty basis. The entire prediction process in astrology is, therefore, blatantly faulty and imaginary devoid of any relation with the facts.

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                     ASCENDANT IN INDIAN ASTROLOGY

                                      ARUN ROY MUKHERJEE

In Indian Astrology Ascendant holds a key position. The physical and mental features as well as nature and character of a person are determined on the basis of his ascendant. The planets which are beneficial, harmful or neutral are determined on it. It also determines the zodiac signs and the lords who play important parts in deciding about the wealth, education, income, occupation, marriage and marital life, children, relatives, nature of calling and many other things. In Indian astrology when a horoscope is cast, the astrologer, therefore, first arrive at the ascendant of the person based on the birth date, time and place of the person.

What is the ascendant ? In short, the ascendant of a person in his horoscope, is the zodiac sign which rises on the eastern horizon at the time of his birth. Say, a child is born at 4.30 Am at a certain place on a certain date. The astrologer, with the help of a Panchang or almanac or according to the positional astronomy, finds out the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at that particular place on that date and time. The rising zodiac is the ascendant of the new born. The ascendant is considered as the first house. In the above case if Libra is rising, then Libra is considered as the ascendant and 1^st house of the new born child. Scorpio onwards to Virgo are the 2^nd to 12^th houses respectively of the child. We all know that a day is divided into 24 hours and there are 12 zodiac signs in the sky. Therefore the ascendant or the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon changes roughly every two hours. The ascendant sign of children taking birth on the same date and place changes accordingly as per the time of their birth.

The vital question is when the ascendant has so much importance in horoscope and in astrology for prediction purposes, is the method applied to calculate and arrive at the ascendant is accurate? The method adopted is to find the zodiac sign which appears to rise on the eastern horizon on the date and place at the appointed time. We are aware that a zodiac sign is an imaginary figure arrived at by drawing imaginary lines between some stars which appears to be close to each other on a plane surface in the sky. The fact however is that those stars are far apart from one another both horizontally and also vertically and have no relationship among those as a cogent and homogenous and homologous body capable of a concerted power and action. Therefore, we know that zodiac signs, which are imaginary creations of human beings, comprises of stars. We must also note three more factors which are a) that the stars are far away in the sky, 2) we see an object either when the light emitted from it reaches our eyes or when light is reflected from the object and hits our eyes and 3) that it takes time for the light to travel from the object to our eyes on earth. It may be noted here that light travels at a speed of 186000 miles per second. But most of the stars are so far away from us that the light from those stars, even travelling at so high speed of 186000 miles per second requires a number of years. There are stars in our Milky Way galaxy light from which takes more than 100 years to reach us. Light from most of the stars in the 12 zodiac signs takes about 50 to 500 years to reach the earth.

In that context, keeping in mind the facts stated above, it may be safely concluded that when we see a star and a zodiac sign at a particular position the sky, the said star or the zodiac sign was at that position only at some 50 or 500 years ago according to the distance it is situated away from earth and not now when it appears before our eyes. If a star is 50 light years away from earth its today’s position at a particular point of time in the sky will be known only after 50 years when the light emitted by it now will reach our eyes. Therefore when we see a zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon and decide the ascendant in the horoscope, it is not done on the basis of facts but on a seeming assumption and as it appears but not truly.

In Indian astrology all horoscope are prepared and ascendants are calculated on the basis of that seeming assumption and as it appears and on not the basis of facts. The zodiac signs are imaginary figures and the calculation of ascendant is done on a faulty basis. The entire prediction process in astrology is, therefore, blatantly faulty and imaginary  devoid of any relation with the facts.

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