In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important discussion as to why it is a myth that we’ve to look for an auspicious day to do something or to start something new. We’ve been witnessing this discussion as part of the important point that Bhagawan Krishna incarnated in this world on an “Ashtami” day, which is considered primarily as an “inauspicious” day by many people. This is where we had discussed that there is nothing called an “auspicious” or an “inauspicious” day in this world. Every day is the same, and every day is a good day for us to do something productive. In fact, if Bhagawan Krishna Himself decides to start His incarnation on an “Ashtami” day, it means that it is one of the most auspicious days ever! Similarly, when Bhagawan Rama Himself decides to commence His incarnation on a “Navami” day, (Again, Navami is also considered to be inauspicious), it should again be the most auspicious day without even a question! Hence, the point here is that, every day is auspicious and we should not keep cribbing about a “good day” or a “bad day”.
Of course, as readers go through these two episodes, some of you might get a bit offended that I’m taking an extreme stance in this regard. This is obviously a common practice in our society and I’m trying to negate it by terming it as a complete myth. Nevertheless, it of course makes sense to look for auspicious days for performing some important spiritual practices and other events like marriages, etc. But the problem comes when some people have the calendar tied around their neck every time! Even for sitting at one place, standing up, breathing, etc. if we’ve to start looking at auspicious dates, there’s no end to it. In fact, by postponing something important just on the pretext of “not being an auspicious day”, has two implications according to me – One is, we’re extremely lazy and procrastinating by nature, and we like to shrug responsibility. We’re just trying to use this excuse called “auspicious / inauspicious day” to not perform our duty. Secondly, by doing all this, we’re trying to be defensive in nature. In other words, we’re not ready to face problems and challenges that come by. If we’ve to take up a mission, it is obvious that we’ve to face whatever is thrown at us. This doesn’t have any connection with the starting date and starting time! According to me, irrespective of the start date and time, challenges would galore, and this is the norm of life. We’ve to get along with it, rather than postponing things.
Another important thing that I’ve observed in day-to-day life is that many people are so obsessed with astrology! Of course with due respect, “Astrology” is a science that is widely discussed in the Vedas and Upanishads at various occasions. It signifies the various planetary positions and how these positions influence a person’s life events. Of course, it has excellent meaning and deeper significances attached to it, without any doubts. However, if we’ve to hang on to our planetary positions for anything and everything that happens in our regular day-to-day affairs, this, according to me is mere foolishness, and it clearly shows that we’re trying to run away from problems. To aid such people, there are few “astrologers” who take up the role of a “medical practitioner” these days! Just like how we go to a doctor if we have some physical illness and like how the doctor prescribes some medicines for the same, some people go to an astrologer even for small problems that they face in life. The astrologer, who is smart in nature, typically uses this “weakness” of these people to face problems head on, “prescribes” some “Parihaara”, giving “false assurances” that if this “Parihaara” is fulfilled properly, all the problems would come to an end!
Let me tell something very clearly here – Our planetary positions upon which we take birth (Janana-Kaala-Jaataga) is purely according to our “Karma” that we’ve accumulated over the past births. No astrologer can come in the middle and try changing all these. Similarly, the ill effects of planetary positions can never be eradicated by doing all these stupid “Parihaaras”. If one has to undergo the “aftereffects” of our “Prarabdha-Karma”, we’ve to go through it. There’s no other option! Otherwise, there can only be one option, if we still need to get over the effects of “Karma” – Surrendering to Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet (“Sharanaagatha Dharma”). We’ve spoken about this before too, that if we surrender to Bhagawan, it becomes His responsibility to take us to Vaikunta, by washing off all our “Karma”. Thus, a “Sharanaagatha Dharma” can achieve what a “Parihaara” can never achieve!
Hence, the point here is we should understand how to use “Astrology” and how not to use it. Unfortunately there are many so-called astrologers who grossly mislead people on the pretext of “Parihaaras”, and this is a totally unethical and a wrong practice. At no point in the Vedas is it mentioned that any effect of any planet can be overcome by performing a simple “Parihara”. Aftereffects of “Karma” are not as simple as we think it to be! Thus for today, let us understand these important points and let us wait for the next episode to witness the continuation of this interesting and important discussion further! There are many more myths and tricks that the so-called astrologers employ to cheat people, and I’m going to systematically expose each of them in the coming days to come! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 