Astronomy and Astrology

    The science of the Universe is Cosmology. The cosmic entity consists of everything that exists! It is a science in the sense that it can be studied, experimented with and universal conclusion can be arrived at, albeit, changes may occur time and again, interpretations may differ. But the science remains! Now, Astronomy is the science of the Stars. We can observe the twinkling stars through powerful radio telescopes and even hear the sounds!? However, these are not something that can be easily understood. and our ancient Rishi, sages have realized, experienced the 'truth' within, not with the aid of instruments. There is a beautiful Samhita of astronomy by Aryabhata in his Aryabhatiyam, and Surya siddhanta by Vishvakarma, Atomic Theory by Kanada, Astrology by Varahamihira, and accurate calculations of the movements of stars and planets in Drighganita and lots of mathematical calculations in the works of Bhaskara. Accurate Calendars, panchanga (Almanac) have been in vogue since time immemorial. It is our foolishness that we do not pay any attention or regard for these and follow the foolish works of Galileo, Copernicus, and others who did not even know that the earth is a planet and it is within the gravitational push and pull of the Sun. They presented the Geo-centric theory (Earth as the Centre of the Universe) and, there is a Fools' Society in England that still believe that the earth is flat! The English system of education ruined us, in a way! Now is the time to correct ourselves.

   The science of Stars is Astronomy. Astrology is the study of the effects of movement of Stars and Planets on the life on earth. Astronomy is said to be an exact science although very few astronomers are there and very few study these! Astrology is considered an inexact science although it is studied by all sorts of people! The reality is that neither the astronomers know about stars, nor the astrologers know about the planets. It is strange that the Sun, the Moon, Rahu and Ketu are all considered as almost equivalent, although values are given to them. The twelve houses are allotted to them and their positive and negative aspects in different houses of the native (person born) is well defined. Thus one can calculate these and arrive at certain conclusions. Each house (gruha0 of the star, planet, or the satellite occupied at the time of the birth of a person is significant! The pace (lat. and Long.) and the time of birth are very important. Unfortunately, these data are not known to many and there few who approach the astrologers to get their horoscopes written!
  The ignorance sprouts from lack of knowledge. In fact, astronomy is taught in very few universities. Prof. S. Chandrashekar is a renown scientist who teaches astronomy in US Space Studies in NASA is a different thing. The physics and chemistry of Satrs are still not known well! The constituent material, the chemistry of the elements that constitute distant stars are yet to be studied! However, the rays emitted by them are studied through spectroscopes and these definitely affect us.

 , The stars are so far off that the nearest one Sirius is 1.4 Light Years (186 000 X 60 X 60 X 24 X 365). The next one is 4 LY! So whatever we know about the Constellations (Rashi) and Stars (nakshatra) under which we are born is so complex and difficult to understand! This particle of 'Light' a quantum of the wave (wavicle) that becomes a source life, jivanu, is so powerful that it has buddhi (Intelligence), Knowledge (jnayan), Creative power (kriya shakti), Creative skill and efficiency (kriyasheelata), and technology, etc. We have Sri Ramachandra said to be born under the Punarvasu nakshatra. It means the rays of that Star was directly reaching here that took the physical form! So also, Shree Krishna born under Rohini Nakshatra and the influence of the star is there on the life and work of Krishna! In this sense of the terms, we all are born under the Stars mentioned in our horoscopes. The planetary positions at the time of birth are also shown in the horoscope. These planets obstruct the passage of the light waves and affect the physical, mental, and other development of the persons! So one should study the horoscope carefully to understand the star the constellation, the position of the planets in astrology. Fortunately, we have very solid proof of all these. The astrological studies are aplenty. We have got a voluminous scripture of thousands of horoscopes studied. If the astrologer knows his subject well accurate forecasts can be made and there is no doubt about this.

     The Brihad-jataka is the painstaking work of a sage called Bhrugu. He was so well versed that he could fix the date of death and also had the power to ward off the impending disaster. It so happened that a person was bitten by a serpent and was sure to die. However, he took his head on his lap and saw that death will not come near him. This angered the God of Death. The God cursed him that his power of accurate forecast be lost and whatever says turn out to be false! Since then, the astrologers know that the forecast is not wrong, but will be ineffective if spelt out! Most of the astrologers do not tell you the truth, even though they know that! 

    But, the most beautiful aspect of these is the 'human life'. It is so designed that it can attain whatever it desires. The life of a person is pre-programed! Every step in the life of the jiva is determined by this spark of light, the jivanu.