Journal of Astrology Newsletter May 2012

Saturn speaks out loud and clear!

“Don’t let attachments run your life's marathon"

The fever to acquire is a curse that possesses us. Life in kaliyuga begins with the gripping desire to acquire so many things in so little time. Though these acquisitions fail to bring long term satisfaction, we carry on undeterred. Emotional relationships, tangible goodies keep occupying our limited personal space. We forget the wisdom of simultaneous discard to avoid a bulge that also bursts. We tend to forget that we came with nothing and so shall go with nothing. We forget the irony of life and the wisdom that the eventual loss of all that we collect is inevitable. We forget that detachment must balance our attachment.

Should we avoid Deep attachments?
The deeper the attachment, the graver and more unmanageable becomes the grief in detachment. Should we not let our emotions play freely when it comes to joys of life? Sample these wrenching thoughts that astrologers regularly encounter:-

The first phase: I love him. I am who I am because of him He is every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, the days we were together were the greatest days of my life. Will he come back?

Second Phase: “I feel terribly lonely at times. I am depressed. I find it hard to find friends with whom I can share. Friendships always prove to be transitory. I am also cut off from my family. The only regular contact is my child but that is also not reliable. Will he ever come back?

Astrologically Saturn is the reminder bell that tolls for detaching
Saturn is a duty-bound significator of grief, Saturn keeps reminding us with its usual obstructions and jolts of the primary purpose of life; yet we tend to disregard its signals and ignore its messages.. As the lord of tenth and the eleventh house of the natural zodiac, it governs our karmas and gains. Being Adi Bhautik Adi Daivik - and Adhyatmik ,like every planet, it takes us to a worldly life. On the other hand as the lord of 7th and 8th houses from the 4th, the house of happiness (sukh) of the natural zodiac, it causes obstructions to sukh. It slows the pace of rapid attachments. The Parashari principle - Saturn with malefics in fifth gives breaks in education works very well. Though Saturn combines its natural signification of grief with natural and horoscopic lordships, but in totality has been found performing its basic task of taking us to varaigya (detachment).

Saturn a Doer
Though the dashas and transits of Saturn are colored by detachments, they are action-packed. As the lord of the tenth and eleventh of the natural zodiac, both upchaya houses, Saturn accounts the karmas. It rewards and punishes. The eleventh, a trishadhaya house, governs, besides gains, diseases and disputes also. Saturn's pace may be slow but it is undoubtedly a doer. Being (kaal), the timer Saturn's role in every aspect of life is widely accepted. The dual transit theory which emphasizes that nothing of consequence happens without the joint blessings of Saturn and Jupiter, clearly brands Saturn as the planet that is active. The research on childbirth based on this theory firms up this predictive parameter.

In his recent article: "French Elections 2012: A post action analysis", Mr.K.N.Rao writes: "Anyway, it always the Jupiter-Saturn one seven position which brings out such changes when the dasha is also showing a major change"

Saturn provides one of the paths to Spirituality
It is preached with conviction by our spiritual Gurus that the primary purpose of life is to liquidate one's accumulated karmas to attain salvation. Our shastras too has this stated clearly. The enlightened soul transcends the body and the mind to find bliss in every nook and corner of the universe according to the experience shared by those who claim reaching salvation. Even the influence of Saturn and other planets can be transcended on reaching moksha, it is said.

One among the many beliefs prevailing is that life is an opportunity granted after soul's journey to as many as 84 lacs yonis. As the karaka (significator) of the twelfth house, the house of moksha, Saturn plays a vital role in facilitating the reaching to spiritual goals. As the timer (kaal)that navigates destiny and as ayu karaka it decides life's duration and its important turns.

Saturn - Moon combination is a combination for spiritual life. As per classics an end to life, mostly happens in the dasha of maraka planets but Saturn dasha on its own irrespective of whether by lordship or placement is maraka dasha can bring the end. Clearly Saturn serves as a stark reminder of life's limitations.

Saturn as 10th 11th (Upachaya lord) of the natural zodiac is a doer. Nothing happens without the blessings of Saturn. We have an established research

Do not ignore the knock of Saturn
An old fable conveys the futility of tormenting the self for worldly attachments - “A man as a reward for faithful service received an extraordinary gift of land from his King. The gift would be all the land he could circumscribe in a day. Overwhelmed with joy the man started to draw the circle running with all his might from dawn. When he neared completion of a very large circle, he was overrun with exhaustion. Somehow he completed the impossible circle. But he died immediately from the effort. He was given six by three feet of the land which is all he needed for his grave. The moral is clear; we tend to forget that in the final analysis we need just 6X3 space. Hindus don't even need that as they burn their dead. In the end, none of us need our possessions.

God wants a meaningful living, not a long life
Have you ever thought how many living beings surround you? There could be 84 lac (one lac is equal to one hundred thousand) different yonis (living beings) that live with us. Close your eyes under the sky and you will feel them. Go to the mountain top to feel nature living and talking to you. Life vibrates.

God has to manage all 84 lac yonis. Do not think he bothers about you alone. We have been granted a human life with a soul and a mind and we should utilize it properly by good karmas. For God you are one among billions. He wants you to live well. He has delegated to Saturn the powers to decide the duration of your life based on your karmas in a well-designed system. He is not bothered how long you live. He wants you to live well amidst the limited freewill that has been granted to you.

Is a day too long or too short?
The giant tortoise lives the longest, for about 177 years and the gastrotrich (a minute aquatic animal) for just three days. The Mayfly only lives for 1 day (duration of transit of Moon in one nakshatra). This gives it the shortest lifespan. The message is live well by keeping in mind life's transience and its uncertainty.

Gita Perhaps was created to remind us to detach
Arjuna may say that despite the theoretical understanding that the soul and the body are distinct, one may still suffer on account of the attachment to the body. Krishna assures him that simply by following one's prescribed duties one is protected from the suffering that comes from acting whimsically based on such attachments. In grahastha (married) ashram, one was educated to enjoy sex life, but in a regulated manner till one becomes naturally detached. Similarly the ksatriyas were allowed to fight and kill, but only in battle for the protection of others.

Economic development and material comforts never really solve the problem of lamentation or grief. In order to get real, lasting solutions, each of us should look to spiritual solutions, which will solve the root problems and not just provide symptomatic relief.

Chapter 2: Contents of the Gita Summarized

Verse: 47

karmany evadhikaras te
ma phaleshu kadacana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango 'stv akarmani

Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.

In this verse Krishna recommends action without attachment. There are three types of possible attachments. One is attachment to the fruits of the activity ("I am the enjoyer"). Second is attachment to the activity itself ("I am the doer"). And third is attachment to not doing the activity ("false renunciation"). Arjuna was in the third category at the time of the dilemma. Based on his own mental speculation, he considers the right path for him is not to do his duty.

Is Saturn working overtime to keep us on the leash?
Spiritual progress is difficult to acquire despite Saturn's effort. We go to many self-styled spiritual preachers (Babas), meditate, do art of living courses and read books but life remains a ride on a rudderless boat. Often we find ourselves trapped in the stormy ocean. in unmanageable situation with loss of sense of direction, many a times. Astrologically we trace these phases to close encounters of Saturn with Moon or Moon-Rahu , Moon-Mercury, Moon-Ketu, dasha periods. From the spiritual perspective we are thrown into a storm when the leash of Saturn binding us loosens. The pull back with narrow escape happens to make us realize how vulnerable we are .Saturn seems to be reminding that you are amidst an ocean where the storm can erupt anytime. It depends on our spiritual grit how we take these reminders.

Saturn in Mythology
Saturn is the son of Sun "surya-putra" He is also called "chaya- putra" for his mother is Chaya. The legends about him show a fascinating light on his qualities which an astrologer can appreciate most. Our shastras reveal a few qualities of Shani:-

Ganesha was born to Shiva and Parvati. It was a joyous occasion. The gods were happy. Everyone marched towards Kailash, the abode of lord Shiva and Parvati to bless the God baby. Shani also reached there with downcast eyes.

The story that goes behind the downcast eyes is: " Shani was passionate He was in love with his wife. A compatible couple they were who could indulge in passion and at the same time concentrate on their prayers and meditation for spiritual progress. Their passions mismatched on a particular occasion when Shani could not read the mood of his wife who wanted to be engaged in love making .He inadvertently ignored her advances. The lady got furious on being ignored and cursed him that whatever he looked at would perish. Shani is a tapasvi (a person engaged in deep meditation). His fault was only that he was not alert of the movements around, yet he willingly accepted his fate. He, after the curse kept his eyes down, lest his gaze harm someone.

Saturn with his eyes downcast blessed the Godly infant Ganesha. Goddess Parvati asked Shani to look at her son and bless him properly. Shani narrated the story of his wife's curse. He told the celestial mother that the entire universe is karma oriented. It is the karmas of Krishna that result in him being born in a God's house as Ganesha. It the karmas that make Kings and vegetable vendors, the animals and the birds, the beautiful and the bold, the ugly and the timid. It is the result of my karmas that I carry this curse. I would not cause any harm to a living thing by casting my glance at it.

The ladies present there laughed at Shani as they normally do when they confront a henpecked husband. Goddess Parvati said to Shani that his gaze could cause no harm to Ganesha. There could be no power on earth that could cause harm to her son. She ordered him to look at her son. Cursed by one woman, Shani must have been wary of another curse. He looked at Ganesha. As the gaze fell on Ganesha his little head was severed and it flew off. There was no trace of it. Goddess Parvati seeing a headless infant in her lap fainted from the shock. She was grief-stricken after close encounter with the universal grief karaka (significator) Saturn. Kailash was plunged into disbelief. The assembled God and Goddesses were grief-stricken.

Lord Vishnu immediately flew on his superfast Garuda. On the bank of the river he found a herd of elephants. Lord Vishnu beheaded the leader of the herd and quickly winged his way back to where the headless body of the infant, Ganesha was lying. The head was grafted on the body. Parvati was consoled by all those present and she accepted the elephant headed child. It was now that Shani standing mute and downcast was noticed by Parvati who involuntarily cursed him to be crippled.

A faultless Shani was cursed the second time. The Gods protested; Shani had looked at the child only when ordered to do so and the mother Goddess was explained the likely consequences of Shani's gaze, yet it was Shani who was cursed again. The realization to Goddess Parvati did come that she had overstepped. She blessed Shani granting him detachment and concentration on the lord.

The ability to be a tapasvi and yogi, a long life and the prime position in the fraternity of planet. She also softened her curse limiting it to mild lameness.

Words of wisdom from Saturn - Avoid Attachment Traps
Saturn who suffered most as per Hindu mythology and is the planet that makes you suffer reminds us the basic tenets of life. Do not blindly attach and do not get blinded by attachments.

The legend of Rohini-Shakata
The legend revolves around King Dasarath the father of the legendary lord Rama. King Dasarath was warned by his astrologers that when Saturn will enter Rohini nakshatra Rohini Shakata will take place. “This will cause untold misery to your subjects and there will be misery and pestilence of unprecedented scale" he was warned.

Dasratha consulted Sage Vashishta. The sage told that Rohini was the constellation whose lord was Brahmaji himself. Once this constellation is pierced, the subjects (praja) have to suffer. There is no escape possible. King Dasarath decided to confront Saturn. He managed to reach him in the sky and requested him to change is path so that Rohini Shakata is avoided. Shani was impressed by the gutsy King. He did not cause Shakata yoga while transiting Rohini nakshatra.

King Dasaratha prayed to Shani with the famous shani stotra of Padam Purana “Namah Krishnaya nilaya kshitikanth nibhaya cha......." This potent prayer was accepted by Shani and is used as a remedial measure to gain enough to bear the trials and tribulations caused by the dasha of a adversely placed Saturn in transit.

The word shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday in most Indian languages. The word shani(शनि) comes from Śanayē Kramati Saḥ (शनये क्रमति सः), the one who moves slowly, because Saturn takes 29.46 years. He is the elder brother of Yama, the Hindu god of death, who in some scriptures corresponds to the deliverance of justice. Surya's two sons Shani and Yama judge. Shani gives us the results of one's deeds through one's life through appropriate punishments and rewards; Yama grants the results of one's deeds after death.

It is said that when Shani opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the Sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts. He is known as the greatest teacher and well-wisher for the righteous as well the greatest punisher for those who follow the path of evil, betrayal, backstabbing and unjust revenge. He is depicted dark in color, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and mounted on a crow, which is Shani's vāhana (vehicle). As protector of property, Shani is able to repress the thieving tendencies of birds.

Saturn in Classics

Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
The unborn lord has many incarnations. He has incarnated as the planets (nava grahas)to bestow on living beings the results due to their karmas. Saturn's avatar is koorma (tortoise) Saturn is a malefic. Saturn denotes grief. Saturn is servant. Saturn is dark in complexion. Brahma is the deity for Saturn. Saturn is a neuter. Saturn governs air vatta. Saturn rules the sudras. Saturn is tamasik. Description of Saturn: Saturn has an emaciated and long physique, has tawny eyes, is windy in temperament, has big teeth, is indolent and lame and has coarse hair. Its abode is filthy ground. Saturn governs an year (period) Saturn is strong in the West. Saturn governs useless trees. Sisira ritu. Saturn is a dhatu planet. Out of all the planets Saturn is the eldest. He bestows maximum number of years in Naisargika dasa.

Phaldeepika
Saturn is lame. His eyes are deepest. He has large but lean body full of veins. He is lazy by nature. The color of his body is black. There is predominance of wind in his composition. He is hard hearted and backbiter. He is dull-headed. His teeth and nails are large. His hair and limbs are stiff. He is impure. He has a fierce appearance and is ill tempered by nature. He is dressed in black clothes. He looks old.

Saturn in Mundane
Saturn represents agriculture, farmers, farms, land, real- estate, oil. iron ore, mines, minerals, coal, til, wool, leather, skin, animal hides. Senior citizens, old people homes, the man on streets (common man), rebellion, democracy and democratic institution, Municipal corporations, elections, labor, factory workers, strikes, discontentment and revolutions. famines , droughts emergencies, earthquakes, floods natural calamities and tragedies, fall in country's exports, difficulties in foreign exchange, wastage of public money, heavy taxes, rationing, death of prominent leaders, national mourning, overthrow of rulers, barbarians, dark persons. deceit, falsehood, secret enemies, judges, judicial system, architects, civil engineers, ascetism, insolvency, civil service, prisoners ,martyrs,

Dashas of Saturn
Saturn is often referred to as vichedkarka (separator) dukhkarka (grief giver)

Chapter 19, shloka 23 of Phaldeepika  - “The general effects during the dasa of Saturn will be acquisition of wealth consequent of war or disturbances in the country, acquisition of servants, old women, cattle buffaloes, bulls, trouble to wife and children, suffering from windy disease like rheumatism, gout. In the dasha of Saturn one becomes vulnerable to false accusations, misunderstanding with friends, loss of hopes, a lot of negativity. Grief from spouse and children.

As per Maansaagri Saturn dasha gives - Losses, phlegmatic diseases like piles.

Saturn is the most feared
Come Saturday and you find more beggars active than usual. The unusual knock on your door comes on Saturdays alone from Shani devta begging you to donate oil and coins to calm Saturn down. Such is the fear that prevails in the name of Saturn.

Sade-Saati: It is the easy to understand. Saturn transit on your rashi and its adjoining houses can be explained to a layman. The self-styled street smart astrologers use it to create fear to extort money. A dhoti and a tilak is enough for the purpose.

Sun-Saturn
How are they as father and son. Although everything in the solar system is believed to have been born from Sun and nurtured by it, Saturn is the only planet that astrologically is his son. The lineage and genes of Sun should therefore be carried by Saturn. The usual father and son do not get along and cannot see eye to eye. In fact Sun is such a father that no living being can see it eye to eye for long. For astrological interpretations Saturn and Sun are enemies to each other.

Planets can't be known in full
We know a part of them. Perhaps it is God's will that we should know only three dimensions of a planet and not the fourth or the fifth ones. Perhaps if you get to know Saturn more you may start liking it and celebrating death instead of mourning it. The grief that it causes may be viewed as a boon. It could convey a task accomplished of getting a long lingering karma liquidated. This may mismatch the pattern designed for you by God.

Saturn and Medical Astrology

The three outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn and Mars govern water, air and fire humors respectively. Perhaps for this reason they are known as superior planets. One can survive without water and heat for a few hours but without air, the cells starts degenerating within minutes and one can at best survive for three minutes. In medical astrology Saturn governs depression as sorrow, indolence (tamsik) are natural to it. It is slow and it is cold therefore Saturn gives diseases that get cured after a prolong treatment. It gives the common cold that puts you off temporarily. It also gives biliousness, mental agony, and tendonitis as Saturn governs tendons and muscles. Chronic incurable diseases of muscles and ligaments diseases of old age arthritis and associated backaches.

Body Parts governed by Saturn
i )leg ii) bones iii)muscles iv) nerves v) sinews vi)teeth vii)skin viii) hair ix)veins x)lymph glands xi)end portion of large intestines xii)anus

Diseases and Saturn
Disease pertaining to air humor- asthma breathing problems ii) constipation iii)stroke iv) deafness v)lameness vi)dunce (blockhead) vii) laziness viii)baldness ix)slow growth x) madness xi) paralysis xii)disease of glands xiii) elephantitis xiv)lumps xv)cancer xvi)chronic wounds xvii)accidents xix)diseases of the feet xx)hallucinations xxi)depression xxii)stomach ailments xxiii) wounds by fallen trees or stones xxiv)body defects xxv)fatigue xxvi)arthritis xxvii)disease of sinews xxviii)venereal diseases xxix)dental disease xxx)poliomyelitis xxxi)ugly hair xxxii)gout xxxiii) rheumatic fever.

Saturn and Professions
Saturn governs miners, coal and fuel dealers, real estate businessmen, plumbers, architects, cemetery excavators, building contractors, leather goods, hides dealers, ice-making, farm and factory labor, watchman, undertakers, priests, monks, nuns, eunuch, philosophers. Trade unionists, politicians, lawyers, consultants, metallurgy chemical, mining agriculture. Construction material advisors, people handling human resources. It makes chartered accountants when it combines with Mercury and lawyers when it combines with Mars and Jupiter. It gives civil engineering on its own.

Saturn and Education
History Geography, Law, prachin vidya (ancient knowledge), sociology, archeology mechanical work, engineering, geology

NEWS ZONE

BVB Seminars and Convocation of 15th April
The first session was on career making periods, a topic of much relevance. In words of Mr. K.N. Rao “Young men and women of India’s middle, upper middle classes and the upper classes even, have one common question about their careers, the periods of rise and crisis or stagnation. In producing some case studies, students have divided them in various categories according to the dashas they got in their career making periods and how they fared. The types emerging out the classification done are more than twelve, from reaching peak to utter failure and between these two, ordinary ones, careers with jolts and recovery and career with jolts and no recovery in the crucial ages between say eighteen and thirty five.”  

The thirty two case studies were presented in a disciplined way. An atmosphere of confidence was witnessed with speakers stepping down from the stage with conviction.  

The post-lunch session on Venus Phenomenon was an attention catcher. It was brilliantly presented by Mr.Anil Singh, Mr.Dinesh Jain, Ms Anjali Jain Ms. Pammi Barhwal and Ms. Kavita Sharma.

Ms. Maneeza spiritualized the auditorium with navgraha stotra and Venus stotra recitation. The strotras echoed for a long time due to the passion and force. Mr. Rao was at his best perhaps as he running Venus-Venus. In words of Mr. Rao "No astrologer can really say anything about Venus -Sun Phenomenon as it happens once in 105 to 122 years and there can be no research on it by a single astrologer...... Yet, interestingly, there is a mention of VSP in Bhadrabahu Samhita. Mr. Rao highlighted the features which were brought out in the booklet:-.

Features

1. It happens once in about 125 years.

2. Venus is in inferior conjunction in such cases meaning it is between the earth and Sun.

3. It takes place only in Vrisha and Vrischika rashis.

4. It comes in pairs but not always. For instance what is happening on 8 June 2004 will repeat after eight years and then after 105 or 122 years.

5. The last such transit was in 1876.

6. In six thousand years such transits have been eighty one in Vrisha in the month of June and thirty seven in Vrischika in the month of December.

A shloka in Bhadrabahu Samhita refers to this phenomenona which is very remarkable because that was the pre-telescope era though it has been said transits of Venus across the disk of the Sun are among the rarest of planetary alignments. “Indeed, only six such events have occurred since the invention of the telescope (1631, 1639, 1761, 1769, 1874 and 1882). The next two transits of Venus will occur on 2004 June 08 and 2012 June 06."

There was no time left for the presentation by the senior research group and the presentation on foreign connections. While inviting the dignitaries on the dais I said astrology provokes different reactions. There may be skepticism about it outside this auditorium, but there is belief within this auditorium that astrology works. And a few of us who have experienced it closely are convinced that astrology is a super science.

I further said "This Institute, a temple to the belief in astrology, came into being in July, 1987 - 25 years ago. Among the few who believed in its mission and pioneered its endeavors, only one person is present here today. He is none other than Mr.KN Rao. He has not only played a pioneering role in bringing this Institute to where it stands today but an equally pioneering role in reviving Vedic astrology world-wide. And this Institute, which is the epicenter of this movement, towers over many astrological institutes which started in these 25 years. The torch was lit 25 years ago by Mr.KN Rao. It has weathered many storms and rough times, but its glow got brighter with every passing year. Perhaps because the torch was lit from the inspiration of a Yogi Guru- Yogi Bhaskarandji. He was a sanyasi. Astrology was then practiced by saints. It is only now that we householders are engaged in it. Therefore it advisable to understand the qualities of saints and we should try to imbibe them if we have to progress in astrology”.

We were honored to have some distinguished supporters of our cause to reestablish astrology as a super science in Kum. Surrendar Saini, Chairperson, Mehta Vidyalaya Managing Committee, Shri. Ashok Pradhan, Director Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi Kendra Professor N.N.Pillai, Principal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and our Chief Guest Mr.Rahul Dev.

It was delight for me to welcome them all on the happy occasion of the first convocation of the Institute in its silver Jubilee year. The awards announced at the inaugural function on 14th January 2012 for research students in the memory of the brother of Kum Surrendar Saini, Shri Ramesh Chander Chowdhari were awarded to Ms.Draupadi Rai, Mr.Ramesh Kumar and Ms.Monica Saxena . The 'Saroj Memorial Awards` for excellence in research were awarded to Shri.S.N.Chaturvedi, Ms.Remy Aggarwal, Ms. Meenakshi Priydarshini, Mr.Anil Thakur and Ms.Kavita Sharma

Research
Two years spent learning astrology in Jyotish Alankar and Jyotish Acharya is like exploring a long shore-line of the ocean of astrology. We make students who join us stop at select points on the shore of this vast ocean of astrology, only a part of it can be experienced in a life time. It is not possible to technically equip students with all the methods that lead to correct predictions. Only the tested and highly replicable ones are therefore taught.

On successful completion of this intense two year course, the student is able to identify his aptitude and decide his future in astrology. He is able to assess his strength and weakness and can give predictions for himself. At this stage we encourage students to start with predicting for people known to them.

The research program is designed in such a way so that, after picking from the available choices, the student is able to conduct research both at the individual level and in a group.

The Institute of Astrology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan can claim to be a global leader in terms of both quantity and quality of astrological research. We have six groups pursuing research. With Mr.K.N.Rao to guide us, the research activity is well structured and organized.

With a scientific and statistical approach, the Institute could demonstrate that Kaal Sarpa dosha, Sade Sati and many such common prescriptive approaches were exploitative and many beliefs and practices that had attached the name of astrology to extort money from the gullible were baseless. These were being used as tools by self-styled, unscrupulous astrologers for selfish gains. The Institute stood up in defense whenever astrology was attacked. Having provided the inspiration to introduce astrology as a course in universities, we alone defended it in the Supreme Court of India. In response to a petition filed by scientists who wanted the Government to discontinue teaching of astrology in universities in 2004, Mr. K.N.Rao spoke at length in the Supreme Court as defendant. The Supreme Court eventually decided in favor of teaching of astrology in universities.

Our fundamental approach to research is based on utilization of the work already done in the field. Here what matters is the strength of the Institution and its astrologers. Since astrology is an ancient science and perhaps the oldest and most discussed, its learning is scattered wide across the world. Here also we need committed manpower to put it together.

Though today we have the internet to aid us, the dependable input in research comes from self-tested replicability of discovered principles.

Understanding today's socio economic milieu is important for modifying the results of earlier researches. A systematic investigation into existing or new knowledge, reaffirms the results of previous work, solves new or existing problems, and develops new theories. An astrological research project is essentially an expansion of the earlier work in the field for example the research on foreign connections which is based years of research of Mr.K.N. Rao and Mr.M.S.Mehta book Planets and Travel Abroad first published in 1996.

Research Workshops
 The workshops conceptualized by Mr.K.N.Rao to facilitate exchange of research among the six research classes in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan began on 12th May with the first workshop on Foreign Connections.

The following points were highlighted in the workshop:

i) Foreign connections are more relevant today than ever before.

ii) In today's context of a globalizing, shrinking planet, even astrological assessments are incomplete without accounting for the impact of the foreign factor on education, marriage, career and even health, as we seek overseas cures for our ailments.

iii) Foreign Connections are being seen as friendlier as and healthier than ever before.

iv) No more do we have a social stigma or even skepticism attached to foreign connections or those connected to things foreign.

v) With the fundamentals of houses, signs and planets remaining the same, the interpretation of astrological sutras, translated in medieval times and the late 19th century, need thorough modification to become relevant today.

vi) Interpretation in accordance with the principles of desh, kaal, paatra is the thumb rule to follow.

vii) A friendly foreign connection helps us develop our economy, culture and even astrology.

viii) Economic interdependence is the key to progress.

Culture benefits and grows when fertilized with other cultures. Similarly, astrology develops when exchanged since astrological sutras lie scattered all across the globe

ix) The signs and rashis which play a role in promoting foreign travel have now been further researched. Earlier the activation of watery signs indicated a journey abroad as the voyages undertaken by sea. Today, you travel by air; hence there should be activation of airy signs. The signs have found to be indicating the direction in which the person is likely to travel particularly on application of Jaimini Chara dasha.

x) Affliction of the 4th house from the Lagna, Moon or the mahadasha nath is a strong indicator of movement from one own country to a foreign country.

xii) The dasha of Rahu brings strong possibilities of moving to a foreign destination or mixing with foreigners.

xii) A strong 12th house and a strong 7th house indicate success in a foreign country.

xiii) Migration to a foreign country or frequent travel and changes are seen more in case of people with moveable signs.

xiv) Good rajyogas and Dhanyoga were activated during the period they went abroad for going to a foreign land is associated with prosperity.

xv) Return back to one's own country is observed when the dasha turns favorable for the house from the Lagna, Moon and the Mahadasha nath.

xvi) If Rahu takes people to foreign countries to associate with people of a different race and religion, Jupiter dasha has been found bringing them back to their own country. 

This workshop was followed by the workshop titled Intricacies of Dasha-a microscopic view of Divisional Charts. The workshop reminded everyone to refer to the divisional charts without fail. Mr. K.N.Rao's emphasis on divisional charts is well known. The presentation had some original thinking.

Silver Jubilee Year celebrations
To commemorate the Silver Jubilee in 2012 of the Institute of Astrology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan it is proposed to have some memorable celebratory functions/publications. The suggestions are wide ranging from bringing out ‘Late Shri S.L. Shakdhar Memorial Volume’ which will have the history of the institute written by Mr.K.N. Rao and research articles by faculty members to seminars, cultural programs, medals and awards. The celebrations schedule and content is yet to be finalized.  

International Vedic Astrology Program 2012
After the success of the program in December, 2011, it is proposed to have a modified international program from 25th October, 2012 to 10th November, 2012. We shall shortly release the schedule and the lesson plans.  

Business and Economy
With a relatively, negative chaitra shukla pratipada horoscope for New Delhi for 2012 and the Sun-Venus phenomenon on 6th June, 2012, the economic situation is likely to deteriorate further. Venus represents currency and the auto industry. As mentioned in my earlier writings though the American economy will improve and Obama will emerge stronger than before, India, Pakistan and China will not prosper. Considering the New Year charts for 2012-13 and 2013-14 there is no respite seen. External threats will continue and are likely to destabilize the region.

How much will it rain this year?
Considering the chaitra charts and Venus there rains are not likely to be normal though the meteorological department has forecasted ninety nine percent of the standard rainfall.