Can Astrology
Be a Science?
Can Astrology
Be a Science?
A.P. Velayudhan
Jotish Prabhakar - (IFAS),
Hon Doctorate –Astrology-(IICM)
Founder Director - Jyodhisham
Astrological Research Centre, Bangalore
Notion Press
5 Muthu Kalathy Street, Triplicane,
Chennai - 600 005
First Published by Notion Press 2014
Copyright © A.P. Velayudhan 2014
All Rights Reserved.
ISBN: 978-93-84391-71-3
Author’s Websites:
1. www.astrologyindia.info
2. www.tranquilhabitat.com
3. www.velayudhanap.com
Emails:
1. [email protected]
2. [email protected]
This book has been published in good faith that the work of the author is original.
All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free. However, the author
and the publisher disclaim the responsibility.
No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without
written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied
in critical articles and reviews.
Acknowledgement
In compiling this book, I have consulted, among others, the texts and
articles of:
1. Peter Whitfield- Astrology a History
2. Dr B V Raman – Various texts
3. Astrological Magazine- Back issues
4. Dr Gustav Adolf Schiner- Between Religion and Empirical
5. John Stevens- Evolution of Astrology
6. B G Siddarth- The Astronomical link between India and the Mayans
7. Robert Hand- The History of Astrology Another view
8. Ivan W Kelly- The Concepts of Modern Astrology
9. Swami Paramarthananda -The Law of Karma
10.Kushal Siddanta- Some Questions Concerning the UGC course in
Astrology
11.Prof P S Sastri- Several Articles and texts
12.Subash C Kak- Science in ancient India and other articles
13.Dr S K Duggal & co- authors- Astrology concepts explained
14.Mahan Vir Tulli- A to Z of Astrology
15.Mu. Madheswaran- Muhurtha Tharangini
16.Pothery Rama Iyengar- Kudimba Jodhidam
I am grateful to all the authors and critics, whose inputs have been of
immense help in my research and in compiling this book.
I am also indebted to my teachers, Sri. Vasudev, Sri. Revathi Kumar,
Sri. Ashokumar and Sri. Dase Shetty for initiating me in to the subject,
which ultimately led me to vigorous and persistent research.
vi Acknowledgement
I owe a very special thanks Sri H N Suresh, the Director of Bharatiya
Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore, for his Meaningful and colorful paintings
on Nakshatra, Rasi and Graha mandalas which have added value and
significance to the theme of the book.
Thanks as always to Sri Gajarajan and Sri Ravi Menon for helping me
in managing the system and Manuscript.
A P Velayudhan
Foreword
Bertrand Russell in his famous essay Mysticism and Logic talking
of mysticism and science says: ‘but the greatest men who have been
philosophers have felt the need both of science and of mysticism: the attempt
to harmonize the two was what made their life …...’ This is true of astrology
also, a branch of knowledge which is much misunderstood.
True to Indian schools of thought, I have always believed that we
are a part of the all-pervading consciousness and we are governed by
the laws of the nature which is beyond our logic and comprehension. Carl Jung rightly observes “Astrology represents the summation of all the
psychological knowledge of antiquity.”
The ancient Vedānga Jyotisha was more astronomy and not
predictive Phala Jyotisha. Jyotisha forms basis for Indian Astronomy. Only He, who knows the lore of time.
The knowledge in all great ancient civilizations was centered on the
link between the self with the earth and with the influences deriving from
the celestial bodies. As in India, the ancient cultures like the Chinese,
Ethiopians, Sumerians, Greeks, Romans, Celts and Germans,
had detailed systems of astrology, as all civilizations recognized the sacred
nature of the universe.
Today, research is being conducted for linking the spiritual energy with
our day to day actions. Thereby, linking the self and the consciousness
encompassing the whole universe. I believe that is far larger than the life
we are witnessing. I always remember David Freeman’s famous quote – ‘The more
you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know’. I am given to
understand that in Tibetan system of healing, which believes that ‘man is
a union of his ‘body’ and ‘consciousness’, astrology does play a major part
in treating patients.
Sri Velayudhan in his book ‘Can Astrology be a Science’ has researched
into the aspect of science and astrology deeply and quotes extensively
from eminent thinkers from ancient and modern times. Sri. Velayudhan
subjects himself to questioning with logic of several astrological practices,
viii Foreword
which is still mystic to many of us. What is mystic has always haunted the
human mind in its quest for answers.
The book is an introduction to astrology from the ancient times not
only in India but also in other civilizations like Mesopotamian, Egyptian,
Greek, etc., covering medical astrology.
Sri. Velayudhan cautions against the predictive astrology adopted
by the populist astrological practices, we see today. The author does
not hesitate to criticize publication of daily astrology by the periodicals
which he opines is based on wrong assumption of the timing of sunrise,
Rāhukala and Gulika kāla.
While he compliments ancient Indian sages for the 27 classification
of star groups, which is unique, he terms the star concept in predictive
astrology as preposterous blunder. He also points out several unscientific
applications in practice today.
His views on issues like Kālasarpa Yoga, various Dhoṣhas, Numerology
and Vāstu are noteworthy. He dedicates chapters 19 to 23 only to prove
Astrology is indeed a science and painstakingly explains various aspects
besides giving number of views in support of him.
I must commend the author for his bold view on the ‘fate’ or ‘karma’
which reads as follows:
‘The present which is determined by the past is fate and the future which
is determined by the present is governed by the free will. In other words
fate is not pre-ordained but a changeable destiny which is very much in the
hands of the individual’.
In this context, it is also relevant to note King Veerasimha’s views
(from this book) –‘the ripening of action done in the past lives may be
remedied in the present life by appropriate rituals, Dana and dharma’ (good
deeds).
Upanishads give us the well-known saying about the power of mind
– ‘Mana Eva Manushyanam Karanam Bandha Mokshayoh’ it is
the mind that is the cause for our attachments and also liberation of the
individual. Hippocrates echoes this statement – ‘Men ought to know that
from the brain and from the brain only arise our pleasures, joy, laughter
and fests as well as our sorrows, pain, grief and tears’.
While on unethical practices of many practicing Astrologers, which is
causing confusion and blind beliefs in the society, author quotes Lord
Buddha, which I think is very relevant for all times to come – ‘Immoral
Foreword ix
activities of Holy men, encourages occultism and superstitions’. The author
rightly observes that even the opponents of astrology say that their
objection is not for the ‘product’ but for the ‘processes, I am sure that this
book, dealing with a topical issue, will be useful to all the readers.
I hope that this book will usher debate on the process and make
corrections which would work towards making astrological practice
more scientific and also help in gradually overcoming blind beliefs and
superstitions- slowly but steadily.
N. Ramanuja
Chairman,
Bhāratiyā Vidya Bhavan
Bangalore Kendra
Explanation in Chapter 19 - Answers to Opposition
Preface
Historically, the erratic ‘Geo-centric’ theory of Ptolemy remained
uncontested for over 5 centuries despite the correct theory being ‘Heliocentric’. Even the eminence of Johannes Kepler had to keep mum for
fear of repercussions. Ultimately Galileo Galilee of Italy had to face
house arrest for propounding the corrected version.
Analogously, the Indian Astrology is also inseparably entwined with
uncontested serious flaws and short comings. The Astrologer community
is perhaps hesitant to propound corrective course for fear of opposition
from the traditionalists.
Under the circumstances it needs tremendous courage and conviction
for anyone under the chopping block. Perhaps I am the chosen one for
the onerous task.
I therefore, asked myself the following five questions before
commencing my script.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Is my objective noble?
Do I have the knowledge?
Do I have the evidences?
Will it be educative?
Will it benefit Astrology?
Having fully convinced of the task and hurdles ahead, I took an oath
in the names of my Gurus that “whatever I write shall be the truth and
nothing but the truth, to the best of my knowledge”. Readers may therefore
consider the first part of the book as the First Information Report
(FIR) of the case- The principle versus The Perception.
In the succeeding part I shall be submitting the ‘prima-facie’ reports
with the evidences and witnesses. This will be followed by a ‘Charge
sheets and my closing ‘arguments’. I shall be presenting my ‘plea’
and ‘prayer’ in the concluding chapter.
Needless to say, the ‘juries’ shall be the readers whose ‘verdict’ I
shall humbly accept with all humility. The illustration in the following is
self-explanatory which shall be the point of reference for this book.
xii Preface
The tall claim of the Astrologers for centuries has been that Astrology
should be recognized as a science. Contrarily, the cardinal truth is that
Astrology in its present format cannot pass the required test of science.
Each time we shake a kaleidoscope we see a different picture. Similarly,
an Astrologer also gets different inferences from different text that he pursues.
The book is an earnest attempt to find the reasons and propose
reforms to make this possible. In other words the prime object of this book
is to make Astrological predictions near accurate and more scientific. The
approach must be in two segments.
1. Cleanse the system by removing superstitions, irrationalities and
irrelevances, which are engulfing the present system.
2. Reform and re-engineer the entire procedures and applications to
enable Indian Astrology to become practical, near accurate and
more scientific.
The time has come to revisit the very structure of this Divine
knowledge and take necessary steps to introduce appropriate changes
at the core level under the edicts of the great philosopher Socrates by
asking ‘what, why and how’?
The contents of this book is the outcome of my persistent research for
over a decade. The system that I am proposing has been put to practice
for over a decade with appreciable accuracy.
My locus-standi for taking up this cause arises from the knowledge
imparted to me by five Gurus of great knowledge and wisdom. I hold
five titles including a Hon Doctorate and a rare prestigious award on the
subject.
I am duty bound to acknowledge all the information, quotes and
citations from various texts and authors which was of immense help.
With this note, I dedicate the book to Smt Shantha, my better half,
who has been not only of immense inspiration but also sharing my better,
best and worst days, for almost five decades.
Contents
Introductionxv
Part – I The Concept
1. The Law of Karma
3
2. Transmigration of Souls - Cycle of Births
8
Part – II The Struggle
3. Evolution15
4. The Resistance
20
5. The Indian Scenario
25
Part - III The Attainments
6. The Inventions
33
7. The Lunar Mansion
41
8. Subsidiaries49
Part – IV The Applications
9. Compatibility57
10. Electional Astrology (Muhurtha)
66
11. Planets72
12. Yogās78
13. Dhoṣhas82
Part – V The Impediments
14. Limitations and Restrictions
89
15. Invasions95
16. Misconceptions100
xiv Contents
Part – VI The Worldview
17. Science and Astrology
110
18. Advocators and Adversaries
116
19. Answers to Opposition
122
Part – VII The Correctives
20. Birth Rectification
130
21. Remedies136
Part – VIII The Precision
22. System Versus Practice
143
23. Scientific Application
147
Part – IX The Plan
24. Reforms and Re-engineering
155
25. United Federation of Astrologers
160
Epilogue162
Author165
Introduction
“To discern the truth in everything, by whomsoever spoken, this is wisdom”Thirukkural - 43.4
Astrology is a concept born out of mankind’s curiosity about
observing the celestial objects and their movements. It did initially begin
as a myth mainly due to the inability of the early sky gazers to fathom the
secrets of celestial occurrences.
Therefore, they had to attribute them to various deities they were
then worshipping which in turn inducted spiritualistic rituals in their
beliefs and practices.
The nonbelievers called it an implausible imagination. Whichever
the case may be, it still opened a door into the inexplicable phenomenon,
which perhaps led to the birth of astrology.
Sadly, its growth and development has not been kept pace with its
acquiring superstitions and mystic elements in the course of its long
journey. The later scholars, instead of developing its scientific aspects
merely allowed it to accumulate the unwanted elements.
Astrology perhaps began its rather long journey on an uneven path
filled with pits, pot holes and obstructing thorns. It has been wobbling
and wavering for centuries akin to the waxing and waning of the moon.
Kushal Siddhanta an active opponent of astrology says: “Astrology
is ignorant about the things it talks about and it could not learn anything
new at least in the last 1500 years.”
He is perhaps right, since there is no evidence of any serious research
on astrology since the time of Claudius Ptolemy and Marcus Manlius
as far back as the first century BC.
Ivan W Kelly of the University of Saskatchewan amply describes:
“Astrological symbolism is unsystematic and based on metaphors,
analogies, verbal association and mythology, all of which are developed in
different ways by astrologers with no clear way of evaluating them”
While this is an undeniable fact, one has to admit the fact that in India
at least there has been ‘on and off,’ research efforts by quite a few scholars
xvi Introduction
in their individual capacity. Sadly their findings never got their due
recognition. If we browse the back issues of ‘Astrological Magazine’,
one of the leading journals on astrology, we can see numerous such
research articles.
The tragedy is that, till date there have been no efforts to take
them forward and consolidate them under one roof. Even the scholars
themselves is seem to be contented by almost a disclaimer that -“however,
the existing system is time tested” or “this theory need to be
further tested”.
Commenting on them Kelly says: “Modern advocates cannot provide
research studies that have results commensurate with the claims made in
astrology texts”.
Ed Viswanathan in ‘Am I a Hindu?’ quotes a saying that “once upon
a time astrology was a well-developed science, but today’s astrology is only
a skeleton with most of the valuable knowledge lost due to the practice of
utmost secrecy by the learned men of Hindu society’.
This unclaimed land became a fertile forum for the pseudo astrologers
propagating irrational ideas in the form of articles and books under the
banner of research.
In the absence of any governing body or controlling authorities, the
field became an open forum for quacks and fakes.
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread”
The truth
Sadly and tragically, even after man successfully landing on moon, and
the satellite Casino reaching the orbit of Saturn and not long ago the
Indian Mangalyan reaching the peripherals of planet Mars, astrology
remains where it was thousands of years ago.
Chemistry and Physics are considered a science, not only because
of their proven principles but also because of continued research and
development.
The need
It is therefore imperative for the community of astrologers to make
astrology fit enough to pass the scientific scrutiny consistently and
persistently.
Introduction xvii
The consequence
Till then astrology will continue to remain as primitive as it was when it
came to existence. In other words, it will remain an ‘infant’ despite the
passing of time.
The indefensibility
The rudimentary defense of the astrologer is that:
“Astrology has never been scientifically disproved nor any rational ground
ever been advanced for treating it as unscientific and as such it should be
treated as a deemed science”.
The logic
The fact is “Even the deemed science must also have a fixed process and
definite set of workable rules as in any other science which astrology doesn’t
seem to have”
Conflicting Theories
The reasons
Astrology is contradictory in nature with its various parallel and conflicting
theories, like ‘wheels within wheels’. Therefore, the rules of astrology
are indefinite and impractical for proper application.
The insurgents
‘Hole-in-the-wall’ shops of quacks and charlatans with their ubiquitous
palmistry palm sign, in the style of card picking parrots, dishing out
astrological predictions like roadside tea-stalls serving instant tea for the
asking.
xviii Introduction
The pseudo-astrologers claim to be the worshippers of various Hindu
deities or self-styled god men and promise to solve all problems under the
Sun- overnight!
Here is a sample of the atrocious advertisements these quacks put
out routinely. This appeared in a national daily on 7th August 2014 and is
reproduced here verbatim to show the levels these charlatans can steep
to.
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR FUTURE?
“Great devotee of Sere Maha-avatar purush meets Sri------. 2 times gold
medalist. Black magic specialist in vasikarana. Face reading expert at
this specific art black magic. Evil powers & his power angry having 32
years of experience in black magic. He is famous astrologer in UK, USA,
Canada and India. Within some days that we meet your faith and trust.
Don’t ignore Golden chances. Make one call change your life”
Contact...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Ph...xxxxxxx Address...xxxxxxxxx
The message is loud and clear for the astrologer’s community, unless
such poisonous weeds are removed for good, astrology cannot become a
science, not even remotely.
Observation
The above-cited sample instance proves beyond any doubt that present day
astrology is governed not by bona-fide astrologers, but by unscrupulous
‘fakes’ and ‘conmen’.
Introduction xix
A charlatan in his traditional attire
In the case of doctors, a patient checks whether he has at least the
minimum qualification. In the case of astrologers, the people are carried
away, if they find the ‘bloke is attired in saffron (or near about), the neck is
adorned with rudraksh, sports a long beard or shaven head with prominent
religious symbols on the forehead’.
They are not a bunch of ignorant fools but a serious menace to society.
The danger is, their number is increasing rapidly, and after all, they need
no qualification whatsoever to open shop.
“If there are only two quacks for every 100 doctors, there are as many
as 70 fakes for every 100 astrologers”. The 30% is what holding the fort for
Astrology.
“Astrology is a golden gift of God but buried deep under
in the massive debris of superstitions, myth, mythologies,
misuses and malpractices.”
PART – I
THE CONCEPT
“Always remember that your present situation is
not your final destination. The best is yet to come.”
Can Astrology
Be a Science?