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Astrology / Vedic Jyotish
Jyotish
and Scientific Method
"As far as the laws of
mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain;
as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality ." – Albert
Einstein
 I can see the frowns on
skeptical brows. Rest Assured….I do not have a trident in my hand and I am
not an activist, communalist, revivalist or any other ‘ist’ for that
matter. I do not need to be. A political party does not stake its claim
upon my identity and the VHP are not the custodians of a civilization that
is at least 10000 years old. I studied Sanskrit (because I wanted to read
the Vedas in the original form) and Vedic astrology (with the sole
intention of proving it to be a farce!!) a while ago and ever since have
been asked why I …a champion of science…. have been swallowed by the
formless monsters of mysticism and ritualism. My friends mourned the loss
of their ‘rational’ friend. Not for long though.
Although I am rooted in the culture of the civilization, I have a low
tolerance for ritualism and by and large never accept a statement without
the ‘whys’ in my head being answered first. But like most Indians, I grew
up listening to stories about our gods and goddesses…. mythology brought
magic into my life. To me, mythologies (greco-roman, Hindu, Chinese,
Mesopotamian etc) are a lot like the songs in Indian films. They are
targeted for the masses, add color, infuse vibrancy and are often not well
connected to the ‘real’ story (assuming there is one) but serve to
entertain and keep the viewer interested in the ‘real’ story. They appeal
to the heart and to the senses….and at the end of a long hard day the
average man on the street does not want to think. The mind is only
activated when our focus is not primarily on making enough for our next
meal.
A poor man has no time to
understand theories on philosophy or the intricacies of the universe. He
has no patience for complex relationships, intricately woven plots and the
grey areas of life (Ask a politician, a filmmaker or an advertising
agency). His thought processes have to be simple because everything around
him is too complicated and frustrating. That is one reason why mythology
has survived and transformed itself through the ages. The reason why it
originated has perhaps more to do with the barriers of language and the
limitations it imposes, in terms of being able to explain something using
the restricted dimensions of a language. Magic, is not necessarily
something unreal, but rather something that is not visible when viewed
through the prism of reality. And the ‘real’ world does not begin or end
where we choose it. Mythology, over the ages has been a tool by which one
could explain, to the common man, concepts and ideas that are not easily
definable. To enable individuals to identify with the manifestations of a
creative power that is beyond their ability to comprehend in totality, and
certainly not within their capacity to understand intellectually in
entirety.
The idea is to understand why mythology is such an integral part of our
classical works and why abstract symbolisms were used to convey ideas
where words would not suffice and at a time when the scientific language
of today did not exist. Jyotish was primarily a means to help the ordinary
man in that age and those who practiced it were learned men in philosophy,
astronomy, mathematics, medicine,
architecture, psychology and theology. I guess there were no specialists
back then). Vedic astrology is nothing but a formulation based on
astronomy connected in the language of mathematics and applied to
individuals in a space-time framework using the colorful landscape of
mythology. And Vaastu is an extension of the same to a living space. It
assesses the probability of an event or occurrence based on the
mathematical relationships between planets with reference to a person or a
place with respect to a certain time. Its rules are completely
mathematical and the only basic assumptions are firstly, that planets and
fixed stars (even if we limit ourselves to just our own solar system) have
a certain relationship with each other and secondly, that those
relationships have certain significations with respect to their position
at the time and place you were born. There is enough ‘scientific’ evidence
to support that planetary configurations not only affect each other but
all living and non-living things on earth. Now, I do not see why human
beings in particular would not fall within such a scope. Apart from these
assumptions, everything else can not only be calculated mathematically but
can only be applied scientifically. Given the complexities involved and
the magnitude of its scope, it is possible that sometimes things are
overlooked (and in those times they were no computers to do these complex
calculations) and certain factors may not have been taken into
consideration. Assumptions are made in every field of scientific endeavor
and a certain framework created by which to formulate and test hypotheses.
Science does not make a claim to perfection, only to systematic analysis
and tested hypotheses. And the analysis has been done for centuries and
the hypotheses tested for 10000 years. If science means a state of
knowing…Jyotish is that, if it means something learned by systemized
knowledge…it is that, if it means knowledge covering general truths as
obtained and tested through scientific method… it is that too and if it is
a system reconciling practical ends with scientific laws …it is that as
well. These are not my definitions of the word ‘science’ but from the
Webster’s dictionary. (There…now you have your western scientific stamp of
approval !!!!…) So how is it by any stretch of imagination ‘unscientific’?
The Sun is either at the summer solstice or not. Uranus is either
aspecting Mercury or not. And if the moon is in Leo at 13 degrees 24 ‘ it
either is or is not. There is no maybe about it.
Yes, the science of Jyotish has been abused. But then what theory has not.
Yes, it is filled with symbolism and mysticism. But that must have been
the language used in 6000 BC. Even in 2002 AD symbolism and abstraction
are a more effective method of communication than mathematics and
astronomy. Ask anybody working in the advertising and marketing world
.Yes, it is full of quacks. Every profession is. This one perhaps more so
because there is no formally recognized mode of instruction. Yes, some
consultants take you for a ride. A lot of consultants in a lot of
professions do. All these accusations do not qualify astrology. They
qualify human nature. And we all know how perfect, just and rational that
is !!
Of course, members of the astrological community have done the maximum
damage themselves. With weekly sun sign and moon sign forecasts that are
about as accurate and consistent as speculations on the performance of the
Indian cricket team. And scaring people with predictions without
explaining why and suggesting solutions that are often incomparable with
the mental makeup of a person. To combine religion and ritual when
explaining something to someone who has no tolerance for either is as
effective as preaching universal brotherhood and liberalism to a religious
fanatic. No harm trying, but what are the chances that anything you say is
registering in the upper storey ?? If the purpose is to help someone or
show him or her way out then an ‘expert’ should be able to do it in a
manner that is comprehensible to a layman. Explaining genetics to a
villager is about as useful as expecting politicians to understand the
concept of accountability !!! A way that seems rational to the person is
the only way you will get that person to understand. There will always be
skeptics and fanatics on either end of any spectrum of activity…but they
are ‘usually’ a minority. It is also necessary to constantly reinforce the
fact that it is only a science of probability and that no one can say
anything with absolute certainty. If one could be absolutely certain about
anything where does choice come into the picture? The choices are always
there…..they may not be the ones you expect and whether you choose to
exercise them is another matter. Creation is dynamic, not static….any
change in dimension will effect a change in reality. Knowledge can only
help us change dimensions, not the consequent reality. Of course, to a lot
of people not knowing is bliss. It is a choice that they have a right to
make.
Jyotish would not have survived ten thousand years of scrutiny and
remained largely unchanged if it was total hogwash. Nothing does. Science
itself is the biggest repository of theories that have been debunked over
a period of time. Newtonian mechanics did not account for relativity or
quantum theory. Physics overhauled many of its fundamental principles time
and again as did every other science in the course of just a few
centuries. To survive change, a theory (about anything) has to be
consistent and valid for a long length of time. Modern science has all the
characteristics of youth…energy, enterprise, imagination and
unfortunately, a large measure of arrogance as well. The need to rebel
against the old order is part of a natural process. And somewhere along
the path of time we too will realize that we could be wrong about some
things. But that is a long way yet. Humility and youth often work at
cross-purposes.
A lot of people from the scientific or rational (self-appointed custodians
of science and reason) community are apprehensive about the fact that
Jyotish will make the present and future generations more fatalistic and
more prone to mysticism. That it may take them towards ritualism and away
from science and rationality. That is one view and they are entitled to
it. But a serious student of this science will also develop an interest in
astronomy, mathematics, Ayurveda, philosophy, psychology, Sanskrit, the
scriptures or the history of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. In
many it creates an understanding of outer space, planets and their wonders
and a greater respect for the laws of the cosmos. If taught scientifically
it will further science. It will also develop a systemized form of
education for this field and increase awareness thereby removing much of
its infamy. More than anything else it engenders a better understanding of
the universe from a scientific point of view and also instills a certain
humility and humanity into even the most cynical souls.
In my view, most astrologers
(particularly the less commercially inclined ones) are learned in several
disciplines. Learning anything that is not destructive in its application
can never be negative. Of course, sometimes even constructive learning can
be used for destructive purposes…like nuclear science or weapons. Does
that mean we stop people from learning physics or chemistry ? As far as
being able to prove anything consistently…..even a student of microbiology
and sub-atomic physics will tell you that the more you delve into the
complex machinations of Creation the more uncertain things get and the
more assumptions you have to make. I don’t hear anybody calling THAT
unscientific. And some are better at what they do than others…. and
sometimes accuracy more consistent than other times. In every endeavor,
the ‘human’ element plays a vital role in determining success or accuracy.
Jyotish in the modern world has been equated with fatalism; but if it were
truly fatalistic in its orientation then it would not have survived. If it
could not contribute in any positive manner or help a human being change
dimensions to a certain extent would it still be around? We are a very
practical species and everything is seen from the perspective of benefit.
When we do not spare politicians after a 5 year term (optimist that I am)
do you think we would have spared a theory that had no ‘practical’
relevance and did not benefit us at all. If we spend a few generations
destroying the resources of this planet the succeeding generations will
use their time to restore or replenish those very resources. We are
capable of tremendous destruction but also unimaginable creativity and
enterprise. Nothing escapes our attention for very long. So how did
Jyotish manage to pull wool over the eyes of not one, twenty but almost
500 generations?
Knowledge on its own does not provide solutions. It does not decipher
right and wrong. It does not make value judgments. That is for us to do.
Effort need not always give results. The point is not that destiny
controls us but that it has secret choices we may not know
about….knowledge is the key to making an informed choice, not a guarantor
of success. Success not just in material terms but also in terms of
health, contentment and the environment. Achievement not only in terms of
career or family, but wherever peace, compassion and understanding are
needed. There are those who live their lives without any thought towards
the space-time framework and planetary influences and believe they are the
‘sole’ masters of their destiny. And then there are those who seek to
maximize latent potentials and minimize possible conflicts and distress by
seeing their lives through the prism of Jyotish. Either way, it is
entirely a matter of choice and if that choice can benefit a person in
even one positive way it is not something to be ridiculed or denigrated.
Choice is a ‘human’ factor not a ‘natural’ factor. Everything around us
does not have the liberty of choosing. Even in human beings the scope for
choice is largely governed by a lot of other factors. We may think that we
are ‘above’ such forces and again that is a choice we are free to make. It
does not change nature… only us.
– Rekha I Nambiar
September 16, 2002
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Astrology / Vedic Jyotish
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