Frequently I consult with skeptics. Astrology is an esoteric subject and skepticism is natural. Many times people come to me, ironically, claiming that they don’t believe in Astrology. Some don’t like the idea that chance plays a role in life and have a hard time accepting that they are not in control of their destiny. Then there are others who dispel the idea that the future can be altered. So which idea has merit?
Astrology is thousands of years old and is attributed to Maharishi Parashar, who is credited with Hora Shastra, the study of time, and the Vedas, from which Jyotisha, the study of Light, comes. Over the centuries, the subject has been passed down, written, rewritten, and recited to what we have today in the form of modern texts. While research is now being done, and there are many authorities in this field, much knowledge about Astrology is still difficult to come by because it was also transferred verbally. I have relied on texts, but I have also interacted with saints to understand its language. And irrespective of the source, one word in Astrology is very common – Dosha. Dosha literally translates to ‘fault’ in English.
A yoga is a probability or likelihood. One can attempt to reduce the impact of an unfavorable yoga, maybe even eradicate it, and there could be more than one way to do it. A dosha on the other hand is a fault that needs to be, or should be, rectified – it is a restriction created on the rewards of life by previous karmic debts that have to be paid back. Depending on the dosha, guidelines exist for rituals that can be performed to remove their ill effects. In other words, remedies exist in astrology, and I believe they work in removing obstacles.
For those who believe they are in control, there is not much we can add and it is not much of a concern. The reason this is less of a concern is because such people are willing to step up and shape their future – they believe their actions will impact outcomes, which is good. The problem arises when people believe that destiny cannot be changed. If the future was set and no action could possibly have any impact on it, there would be no purpose to life. This is contrary to the very reason for life, which is to find one’s purpose. If nothing could shape the future, the very foundations on which our culture is based will shake. The concepts of dharma and karma will dissolve.
Astrology not only provides us guidelines to remove doshas, it also provides us knowledge about methods that increase life’s possibilities and even solve grave problems. Unfortunately, because much of our culture was passed down from saints to disciples verbally, some of this knowledge is difficult to come by and its consumption is based on faith. Nonetheless, knowledge exists. It exists all over India. Our numerous teertha sthanas or pilgrimage sites, which according to legend, were designed by the Creator, Lord Brahma, to liberate us, are some of the places where it exists. Each one of these sites has its own significance and expertise.
There are guidelines on the use of yantras (machines or universal symbols), tantras (technologies or rituals), and mantras (sounds and vibrations), all interconnected ‘support’ systems that can be used to absorb energy from the universe through requisite and consecrated energy bases (the word tantra is often misunderstood – I am not referring to any dark practices here; rituals performed in a temple can be classified as tantra). As an example, in case a family is suffering from Pitra dosha, Narayana Nagbali can be conducted to alleviate the dosha’s negative effects. Yantras, tantras or mantras can be used even if there are no doshas, but certain practices are complex and require expertise. They should only be conducted under the supervision and guidance of qualified sages.
If performed correctly, doshas can be removed quickly. But every now and then I come across people who feel they have not benefited from ritualistic activity. Unfortunately, neither can the outcomes be fully measured – e.g. we cannot measure the extent to which someone’s wish was fulfilled, nor can we answer what caused the wish to be fulfilled. The nature of life is such that it is subjective; sometimes people work without any reward, and at other times small efforts go a long way. Also, we cannot compute an individual’s karmic structure – sometimes one just has to do more. This brings me to my final comment. I am quoting perhaps the greatest, most relevant learning of all time: Do your duty, but don’t be attached to any rewards (This, as you already know, is from the Holy Gita and is not a literal translation – it is an unrefined translation). The end result is not in our hands but this does not mean we stop doing what is required. Modern science and research on success and happiness have also validated the concept of flow, i.e. it is important to be zoned into the task, rather than be attached to the result. This is the only way we can shape outcomes; one simply has to keep doing what is required of them in a just manner. Depending on the dosha and one’s karmic structure, it is possible that more effort is required to attain results, and one should not shy away from putting in what is required.
Remedial measures if done properly do work. To what extent they work depends on you, the baggage you carry, the effort you put in, and importantly, the faith in the activity you choose to perform.