What do you think of astrology?

[Ravi500]

Yes , I have read that the subtle planetary radiations does have an influence upon us. Daily sadhana and meditation is quite effective in itself in shielding us from the negative energies. Similarly wearing of gemstone rings and certain metal armbands also helps one in this regard. The 'Autobiography of a Yogi' holds useful information in this regard.

As per astrologers are concerned, what I have learnt is that intuition plays a major role in accurate forecasting, more than the calculations. And intuition over here depends upon purity of mind, or how well one is established in tapas and awareness.

It is usually when one is young, that the forecasts of astrologers are accurate. This is because the young are not worldly minded enough and hence maintains a highly pure state of mind conducive to intuitive predictions.

With advancing age, materialism and worldly issues creates attachments in the mind. And without corresponding increase in tapas and meditation, the purity of mind is not maintained resulting in inaccurate predictions.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I'm curious about how much importance people in this part of the forum give to Hindu astrology. By which I mean, does it affect your life, do you believe in it, do you know your Nakshatra and do you think it's accurate, etc?

Many Hindus believe in astrology. Most important document when it comes to marriage is the birth-chart (however, in my community we do not check birth-chart. Though we do it for other people (I belong to a community which used to conduct pujas), we are, sort of, exempt.

Personally it does not effect my life, I do not believe in it, though I know my Nakshatra and other details. My grandfather gave the nurse assisting my birth a watch adjusted to the local time of the city, so that she could tell him the exact time of my birth. Then he asked pandits to prepare the birth-chart. The astronomical information is correct, and Nakshatra is a part of it. But I believe that there is no correlation between the birth time and date and my life.

 

[satyaroop]

I'm curious about how much importance people in this part of the forum give to Hindu astrology. By which I mean, does it affect your life, do you believe in it, do you know your Nakshatra and do you think it's accurate, etc?

I could just list more questions but you see what answers I'm looking for. What are your thoughts about it?

Just for fun, mine is apparently Pūrva Bhādrapadā, second quarter. I filled an online thing with location, date and time of birth and that was the result.

astrology.....from what I've seen so far I'm not impressed

 

[Aupmanyav]

A Sanskrit verse tramples it into dust:

"Triya charitram, Purushasya bhagyam, Devo Na Janati, Kuto Manushya."
(The character of a human, the fate of a man, even the Gods do not know, what to talk of men)

 

[Ravi500]

astrology.....from what I've seen so far I'm not impressed

See, astrological predictions, as I explained earlier , depends on your intuitive abilities, which is again dependent on depth of tapas and meditation.

I was a rationalist-skeptic earlier, and as a matter of principle, did not indulge much interest in the subject, even to the extent of making gentle fun of those who believed in it.

I however had some chance meetings with some yogis of exceptional intuitive abilities with a background in astrology/palmistry who blew me away with their accurate detailing of my life, including my date of birth and star, and other intimate matters. And these were people I was meeting for the first time in my life. Some of my friends too had the same experience.

Just an year back, while walking along the roadside, I met an old palmist sitting on the pavement and seeking customers.

Feeling compassion for the man, I decided to check my palm with no major interest whatsoever, just to help him earn a living.

The man blew me away as well, superbly detailing my life with great accuracy , even though I was meeting him for the first time in my life. He didn't even look at my palm much. I could see that the knowledge was spontaneously dawning in him through intuition as he searched my face.

All this greatly impressed me and helped to change my perception of astrology. There are indeed great astrologers and palmists , with uncanny accuracy in understanding the intrinsic details of a person and his future and past, and in suggesting remedies.

Such ones are rare though, as it takes a lot of tapas and meditation to develop such an intuitive ability.