Newletter Editor: Deepak Bisaria
The Season
The second month of Sarat Ritu begins from 23rd September while Hemant Ritu commences from October 23rd. We run out of excuses of very hot, very cold or rainy. The near perfect weather emboldens one to venture out and get attracted to festivities, merry making and partying as it is the carnival season that has arrived. A unanimous yes is the immediate response to ideas of going out, feeling the weather and enjoying it in full swing. Perhaps, this is the cause for denser traffic jams during this season. Some negatives are sure to attach themselves to positives in everything one can think of and the reason is that you have a mix of malefic and benefic planets to govern you . Diwali sweets are sweet but not at all sweet are these jams as they sap off your preserved energy and time. Nevertheless, the season is to act and react.
Godess Lakshmi
To many, this is an auspicious time to start a new business and take loan. To achieve this, first and foremost in the agenda for many, is to attract the blessings of Lakshmiji. The popular belief is that the Devis are nearer to earth during this season and more accessible now than at any other time of the year. Therefore, vrat (fasting) with a restrictive lifestyle make upasana (worship) more effective in attracting their blessings.
With so many beliefs and practices going around, it is worthwhile to take stock . Some follow the bizarre route of attracting Devi Lakshmi by gambling or by the clink of coins or by worshipping the owl in their own self created rituals. How much wealth comes or how much is drained and what is neglected at what cost in such experiments, least concerns one who is driven by addiction of gambling or alcohol. The justification to attract Lakshmiji in such self created and self justified ways could not be farther from the right approach..
One should realize that in mythology too, Devi Lakshmi is not just linked to wealth but represents Reality, Truth and Self Realisation. Her throne is the Lotus flower and she has a Lotus in her hand, signifying purity always even in dirt and filth. Being the spouse of Lord Vishnu, the preserver, she looks after the wealth necessary for rearing and preserving homes and their essentials and not the wealth for money laundering as is the common perception. Devi Lakshmi not only governs wealth but also moral values, so crucial to preserve humanity. Lakshimiji is a manifestation of purity as she was born from Samundra Manthan, the exercise of churning of the ocean undertaken by Gods to get the best out of the tumultuous sea. The association of owl as the vahan (carrier ) of Lakshmiji represents patience for he is one who is awake all night as a guard. The owl devours the mouse who has an eye on our wealth (Grains). The owl protects the food required for survival The colour of her owl is white, which is considered auspicious. We are required to cool our mind through a balanced diet and bring calmness and patience through moral values.
Lakshmiji helps in moving us to the next step of gaining knowledge by worshipping Devi Saraswati. This is the reason why Lakshmi Pujan is prescribed before Saraswati Pujan.
For organized business folks, this is seen as the auspicious time for all that could enable one to realize one’s potential to earn. To many, this is the time to worship and learn and since all Devis- be it Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswati or Goddess Lakshmi are around and may surprise you with their blessings any time. It is also the season to go to war with Durga Maa giving you strength. She rides the Lion. Her destruction of the demon Mahishasura, who threatened to eliminate the Gods, is celebrated during this season. Of course, Ram also destroyed Ravana during this season. Even the present day infantry likes to go to war in this season, when the land is cleared of rains and snow.
The tithis and festivals that rock this season
Be it Navratra, Durga Pooja, Dusherra ,Karva Chauth or Deepawali, it is lights, blaring loudspeakers, sound and colours that greet us all around . The loud speakers get louder and louder in Jagratas, Chowkis and other festivities during this season .The Durga Pooja Pandals are creative and are a manifestation of colour, gaiety, sound and celebrations.
Dussehra or Vijayadashmi (Vijay means Victory) 28th September,2009 (The 10th tithi of Shukla Paksh in the month of Ashwin
Victory of Ram over Ravana and rescue of Sita. Victory of Devi Maa over Mahishasur. Victory of right over wrong. Victory of good over evil. There is a lot to celebrate . Gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana & his brothers are set aflame with the bursting of crackers. The political fervour gets into the festivities with the Prime Minster and leader of the opposition joining to kill Ravana with bow and arrow. Melas are held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy & enjoy.
The legend of Ram serialized as Ram Lila that survived much odds in its journey that began thousands of year ago and witnessed many centuries enjoys unparalled patronage even today. This owes, clearly, to the strength of the story. Our Rishis had devised moral lessons in the form of interesting stories in our Puranas a part of Vedic literature intended to capture the attention of common folks and give them moral lessons. Even if you have seen it a hundred times, you are still glued to the television to watch Ramayana or Mahabharata –both a gift of our Rishis from the Puranas.
Diwali tithi Amavasya 17th October,2009
This bright festival of lights is on a dark day or no moon day. Illumination marks the celebrations of the home coming of Lord Ram after putting a brave front for 14 years and victory that is remembered even thousands of years later. Illumination besides celebrations symbolizes victory also. Unity in diversity can be seen in Diwali celebrations as well. In various parts of this country there are different versions about the origin of this festival. The five day festival of Diwali is centered around amavasya or new moon, the day when the month of Ashwin ends and begins the month of Kartika, as in the Amanta or Sukladi system
Diwali Gifts
This is the time to make up for misunderstandings and compensate for rancour in the year gone the by through the exchange of greetings and sweets . This concept has taken an ugly turn when gifts degenerate into excuses for bribes that range from home appliances, cars often and even apartments.
Govardhan Puja
18th October, 2009 is celebrated the day after Diwali on Shulka Paksh Pratipada of the month Kartika. It is the day Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. As one story goes, Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offering to Lord Indra and questioned his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers; they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He suggested that all human beings should merely do their 'karma', to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna in response lifted Mount Govardhan and held it up as protection to his people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme.
Bhai Dooj 19th October ,2009 Bhai is brother and Dooj is the 2nd tithi of Shukla Paksh
Many competing legends mark this festival. One string is common is that like Rakshabandhan it is a festival of brother and sister where the sentiments of the two co-borns are expressed symbolically with a tilak signifying the bond between the two.
IOA’s Journal of Astrology
From the feedback, we sense that both the cover and the contents of the July-September issue were widely appreciated. The purpose of giving the actual planetary position on the cover of the journal is to give you easy access to this critical data without effort of locating it in the ephemeris. Its utility will go up when the Journal is referred to ten years or twenty years hence and the old ephermeris will not be so accessible to you. Our endeavour has always been to improve the contents. To achieve this more effectively, the feedback of the readers is crucial .Please send your feedback on the contact mail ID’s given in the Journal or simply call us.
Book Release
Two outstanding books were released in the packed BVB auditorium on 20th September,2009
1)Adoption by Shri Rajbir Singh ( bilingual).The author likes to accept challenging assignments and this was one such. A well written book with horoscopes that are authentic and obtained after much labour and on adopting an aggressive attitude
2) Kantak Shani , Ashtam Shani ,Shani ki Saade Saati (Hindi) A Group Research under Guidance of Shri.K.N. Rao that has contribution of 66 Researches, who armed with their verified horoscopes of persons intimately known to them have virtually launched a campaign to take Astrology ahead. Indeed it is a major step forward in our mission to establish Astrology as the superscience and makes interesting reading as well.
Forthcoming Books
Interpreting Divisional Charts An innovative approach through the destinies of twins( English) by N.N. Sharma The book focuses on an area that we have started to explore and is sure to bring the success rate of predictions up substantially. Besides, books on the ongoing Group Research i) Dasha Chiddra ii) Trikona Dasha iii)Children or Education and iv) Mangal Dosha are also planned.
COUNTRY AND ECONOMY: Issues that got caught by Astrology
Austerity :Is Mars with low points in Sarvastakvarga in Gemini in the second, driving us to austerity? or is it both -the combination of the dasha of Sun-Sun in India’s Independence horoscope that instils discipline, and the transit of Mars, which threaten to deepen the hole of the coffers. The Government is faced with a price problem despite low inflation numbers. And the situation seems unmanageable, with the price of potatoes going upto Rs.35/- per kg and onion Rs40/-per kg.
The first casualty of the austerity drive was the Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna and his deputy, Shashi Tharoor, who were driven out from the luxury of their homes, or should we say from their luxurious abodes. The controversy did not end, here as the media wanted to know who paid for this luxury. Shashi Tharoor kicked off the `cattle’ controversy as well. Rahul Gandhi traveled by Shatabdi Express, while his mother took economy air tickets. When Sonia Gandhi and Rahul become austere, others have no choice but to follow. Ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Salman Khurshid flew to Chennai and Kolkata by economy class. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who claims her austerity pre-dates everyone else’s, has instructed her hapless party ministers and railway officials to travel only by economy class. Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia reportedly flew by economy to the US for the G-20 summit. Austerity truly is in the air.
Apart from the Centre, austerity has suddenly seeped into the States as well.
Only cashew nuts, no sweets for ministers at West Bengal cabinet meetings. Austerity drives are however not new to Indian politicians. To demonstrate how to combat the fuel hike, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi famously came to Parliament in a horse cart, followed by opposition leader Vajpayee in a bullock cart and a parliamentarian threatened to come on an elephant
Like politics, itself, perhaps the politicians should also be in the air and not touch the ground. When the VVIP fly to destinations in helicopters from their homes it not only turns out to be cost effective and quick but also saves people from traffic snarls in a already unmanageable situation.
Many of the predictions given by Shri. K. N. Rao on TV and those that were made in the Newsletters have hit the bull’s eye
Monsoon revival
Mr Rao had predicted there would be rains around the eclipse day of 22nd July and thereafter normalization though the shortfall of June and July would not be covered and there would be deficit. There was indeed widespread rain all over the country around the eclipse day . It rained during August intermittently but on 9h 10th, 11th and 12th September it rained so much that flood alerts were sounded in Delhi. Yet in totality it remained a rain deficit year although the deficit dipped thanks to rains after the eclipse. The official figures released on 30th September,2009 reveal that excess rainfall was recorded in 9% area, normal in 32, deficient in 51 and scanty in 8. The havoc caused by rains in south India and widespread rain all over the country from 2nd to 6th October perhaps has further dipped the deficit
Quote from August 2009 Newsletter “India‘s revival in the dasha of Sun: The best dasha of the horoscope of Sun will commence from 9th September, 2009. It is the dasha of the 4th lord. So rulers can expect to fly higher than ever before. They will be able to consolidate and deliver. The fourth lord Sun in the third again indicates neighbors and partners, the most striking feature of India and the Independence horoscope. On the brighter side the advent of Sun dasha from 4th September promises to be an era of solar energy”.
Quote from September 2009 Newsletter “In the dasha of Sun, we can expect some major positive changes. Armed with a stronger political mandate, the government is planning to kickstart the stalled disinvestment programme and other such measures to bring the economy on track. …………. Will we have a change in the country’s aura and characterization?
The Sun is a disciplinarian ………….. In its dasha it can set the home in order as it is the lord of the 4th house. The ground work is already done with a government coming to power with strength. ………………... They will be able to consolidate and deliver.
The fourth lord Sun in the third again indicates neighbours and partners, which has remained the most striking feature of India and the Independence horoscope………
In the dasha of Sun, we can expect some major positive changes”
Besides, Austerity and Monsoon revival, in the dasha of SUN-SUN came the heartening news of ISRO’s successful launch of PSLV C-14 and of its positioning 7 satellites in the orbit in 1200 seconds .It was India’s successful space program, lauded as the most successful historical launch and a celebration. This news coincided with bigger news of a startling finding of water on the Moon by our Chandrayaan. This is being described as the biggest scientific discovery of this century. What is more heartening is that it is India who provided the clinching evidence.
Chandrayaan, India’s maiden moon mission in fact turned out to be the most successful after being declared terminated and failed. This has brought back smiles on the faces of the Indian scientific community and well deserved congratulations and celebrations followed. Some portion of credit should be given to chance or as we like to believe the dasha of SUN SUN which only the astrological community can appreciate and smile about. They could see that the Chandrayan facing problems in Venus–Ketu as Ketu is a malefic in the house of collaborations but Sun –Sun they knew, could bring back the lost glory.
The current economic indicators show movement towards normalization, as we had predicted. The Sensex has also gone up. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is pressing hard for flow of funds to the IMF and the World Bank from developed countries for use by developing countries like India in the G-20 summit.
The Red Paint getting changed to Green. Perhaps due to effective diplomacy or due to the movement of Mars to a better position or due to Sun-Sun dasha getting effective, some new diplomatic overtures and Greenfield ventures with China are likely. Mandarins seem to be pleased with our overtures for business relationships. The situation was not entirely positive till Mars persisted in Gemini. Although China seems to be getting more understandable and moving from confrontation to cooperation, yet it still figures in the headlines of media with the report of China having helped Pakistan with nuclear trigger design .This was reported by Times Now on 24th September. They also reported that Government sources have revealed the Chinese link in Pakistan’s nuclear programme after A.Q. Khan’s unexpected revelations in his letters. China’s association with A.Q. Khan was another headline in September. On 25th September news channels reported augmentation of a network of radar system, fitting of special mountain Radars and deployment of advanced sensors in the Ladakh region The visit of Air Chief of Western command to the region and statement of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on incursions in Ladakh foiled Government’s attempt to downplay.Readers may recall we had made prediction of tension on the eastern border in our Newsletter of August, 2009. On October 2,2009 the Headlines were “India fumes as China issues loose-sheet visas to J&K residents” Hopefully this was the last phase of trouble caused by Mars in Gemini.
We predict that these issues will subside after the entry of Mars into Cancer on 5th October, 2009
Since the 5th house is the 3rd from the 3rd (Bhavat Bhavam principle) it is seen as the house for extra-curricular activities and sports also. The dual transit of Saturn and Jupiter impacting it brought glory to Ramesh Kumar and India. A medal in the World Wrestling Championship was won by India after years. On 1st October, 2009 came the news of Virender Singh becoming the World Champion as well in World Boxing Championship. The preparations for the Commonwealth Games are in full swing. Jupiter entry into Pisces on May 2, 2010 indicates the focus on Commonwealth games and achievements as Pisces Rashi is in the 11th house of India's Independence horoscope. Both Saturn and Jupiter would have been there on 5/11 axis to bless the Games when they take place from October 3 to October 14 ,2010. In the brilliant book on Mundane Astrology by M.S. Mehta and A. Radhika it is mentioned that the third house matters include neighboring countries, border clashes, contacts with neighbours, written agreements, signed documents, loss or gain of land in case of war. The fourth house includes land and crops, landed interests, real estates, schools, colleges and educational institutions, home land, patriotism. And the fifth house educational facilities in arts, entertainment, national pleasure, enjoyment sports, schools and places of education. As emphasized, Saturn as kaal, the timer, the harbinger gave us clashes with our one day old neighbor on the border. Saturn was transiting the third house at the time of birth of India. There were agreement and focus on signed documents for loss or gain of land. When Saturn entered Leo, the fourth house of the horoscope, we had our Constitution drafted and implemented. This defined us and gave us a plan for future. The consolidation of land belonging to 600 princely estates was done by the famous Iron Man, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel while Saturn was transiting Leo. Interestingly, when Saturn entered Virgo and Jupiter, Pisces we hosted the first Asian Games in 1951. What made India conceptualize Asian Games immediately after the bloody partition can be understood by Astrologers alone. Thirty years later we hosted the Asian Games again when Saturn was in Virgo and during the Commonwealth Games of 2010, we will have Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter Pisces, the same position where they were during the first Asian Games. Would you still dispute the fact that Saturn indeed is the timer?
The commencement of the dasha of Sun on 9th September was soon followed by transit of Saturn to Virgo the next day on 10th. Since both Saturn and Jupiter aspected the fifth house of India’s Independence horoscope, the focus clearly was on education learning, children, the learned and the thinking class, Scientists. Announcement of reforms came from HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on the 11th September itself. There was more discussion on the security of children when a bus caught fire in Maharashtra the same day. Both these news were the headlines on 11th nd 12th September. Then came the strike by IIT professors. Surely, there would be some reforms after a dignified class took to the streets. The news on satellites launc and Chandrayaan also came during this time. ‘ Right to Information’ is emerging as an effective tool to fight corruption and injustice and should wipe our reputation of incorrigibly corrupt during the dasha of Sun and take us to better characterization and aura. How effective is the principle of dual transit encouraged by our Guru Shri K. N. Rao can be seen here
Remedial Measures and Ponga Pandits
Remedial Measures: Every one is rightly concerned about outcomes. How to get maximum yield from the labour you put in has to planned and managed. Along with this, there you yield returns from your Karmas, which decide your destiny. The Karmas that are recommended by Bhagavad Gita are Nishkaam Karma (Karmas done without the thought of results). How do we reconcile the two? The karmas have to be done conscientiously within the limits of morality and righteousness and we must leave the results to God. When in crisis one should remember that the only upaya is karma .We all strive to live by certain basic principles enshrined in our holy texts. Never deceive, never exploit and help the needy is the approach to life that is recommended and this also provides automatic remedial measures. If such karmas dominate your Sanchit Karma (accumulated karma) account, you can expect countering all the obstacles and emerge victorius in every situation. Special mantras on special days like recitation of Gopal Saharsnaam on the Diwali night can have magical effects. (This done in Gujarat and Vrindavan) However, some would like to short-circuit this.
Campaign against Ponga Pandits
These pandits natural Karmic flow have diminished the credibility of Astrology established by our Saints, Rishis and the scrupulous astrologers for long, and they have received support from the media. Particularly the TV channels are compliant in this travesty. We look like a small community fighting the majority of self - seekers, but we can impact them considering the response we are getting from like minded people. We have continued our campaign through our website and the Journal.
We need to reiterate a fundamental belief that a Rashi is not the decider but is limited to a small influence, which has to be combined with other factors like basic promise (Yogas) dashas and transit of the remaining planets from Lagna and Sun as well, ashtakvarga points and many more contributions restricted to the horoscope of a specific individual. Therefore dividing the world population into 12 and unleashing predictions is a fraud . And a larger fraud is the one of extorting money in the name of Upayas and Gems.
