RS

Original obsolete reference: Astrology Class A-4, Session 1

Taught by Shri Kirpal Bahadur Mann, in New Jersey, USA
April 21, 1990

Copyright © 1990 Kirpal Bahadur Mann

All Rights Reserved
Transcription of original obsolete reference by: M, 8 th August, 1993

Introduction to Stellistics~Astrology
Revised lecture

Date of this revision: 16th December, 2005; revision # B-0

Shri Mann: Well, you [to a student] had wanted to say something to every one here before
we began.

Student: Today is a very special day for our group, but for me it is particularly
meaningful because today is exactly the date on which we started the first ‘A’ level class one
year ago. Needless to say, I didn't think I would adapt myself to this particular type of
astrology, known as sidereal Hindu astrology. For many years I have studied tropical astrology,
learned about the signs, learned about the houses, and always discovered that astrologers never
answered my questions. Reading the newspapers just didn't interest me because they didn't sit
quite right. I knew there was something out there. I believed there was something out there that
was a lot more accurate and, lucky me, I found Mr. Mann. I first came here as a client for a
personal consultation. What was so fascinating to me was how accurate he was at not only
describing my past but describing certain characteristics that I was still to discover about
myself. It intrigued me so much that when he mentioned that he was starting a class and that
we would be the first ones to learn about the astrology he was teaching, I said, “Oh, great, I'll
learn something.” I love to learn things. And I hope everyone here loves to learn as much as I
do, because I will tell you one thing right now, you will be fascinated.

The astrology which you will be learning here applies not only to many aspects of
tropical astrology, but it goes way beyond that. It gets involved with Yogas, particular
combinations of houses and of planets that rule the houses. It gets involved with planets that
are friends, planets that are enemies, planets that are neutral towards each other. You get
involved with constellations that govern the planets that rule the houses. It goes beyond and
beyond and beyond.

The other thing you will find amazing about this astrology is that you could apply it to
every single thing in your life, and not just yours but to everything that comes around. You
could apply it to politics. You could apply it to economics. You could apply it to
compatibilities such as romance, marriage, partnerships. You could apply it to businesses. You
can even apply it to the weather. You can apply it to geography. You can apply it to medicine.
You can apply it to zoology. So, in time, not only with this class, but hopefully if you go
beyond into further levels, such as ‘B’ and ‘C’, you will discover that it is not only an endless
subject but where it takes you is just so fascinating. For example, I was here until 3:00 a.m.
yesterday morning discussing astrology. Now, I am not saying that it is a prerequisite for
everybody to stay up until 3:00 in the morning and discuss astrology, but what I am trying to
imply is that it is so fascinating you cannot stop. Maybe I have a tendency to be a little
obsessed with this astrology because I never found anything else in my life that answered so
many questions. I still have so many questions and it keeps on answering them. There is a logic
to this science, and I call it a science because that is what it is. It is applied learning, it is
applied method and deductive reasoning. It is challenging. It is like a puzzle. And when you
study a chart you will be taking little pieces of a puzzle and it comes together to form a whole
composite of a person or an event or a situation, and it will fascinate you to know that there
will be a time when you can look at a chart and decipher someone you do not even know.

With that knowledge comes an understanding that there is something beyond what we
are learning. And I hope you just get the same feeling that I do, and I hope you go on to other
levels. We are hoping to go onto level ‘M’ actually which will be specialised study. I hope to
get involved probably more towards the homeopathic end of astrology. And I hope you go on
to further classes and you might discover that you want to specialise in some particular subject.
You may later decide to go into consultation on your own, perhaps teaching, perhaps writing a
book about what you have learned. You'll discover that there will be avenues open to you with
this knowledge that you will be receiving. So, I hope you will go on further as I will, and I
hope to see you on other levels. That is it.

Shri Mann: Okay. This is Session 1 of Course A-4. And this is Tape one, side one.
First, I want to thank you all for coming. Well, what is astrology? That is the first thing we
should begin with. What exactly is it? And I think a good approach would be to begin with
your opinions on the subject. I am sure we have a dozen opinions here. What purpose does it
serve? What exactly can it do for us? And why should it be pursued? So please volunteer your
opinions. They can be very useful.

Student: I was interested initially because of curiosity about the future and what it
holds.

Shri Mann: Yes, we are born with curiosity. That is our saving grace. How about you?

Student: Well, as you know, everyone is influenced by a higher power and the planets
are simply telling us what we can expect due to our activities in our present and previous lives.
That is how I understand it.

Shri Mann: That is quite a sound opinion.

Student: I guess to me astrology is a type of pattern which people can access to get an
understanding of themselves and their place in the universe and it can give them an idea of
who they are and why they are here and what they are supposed to be doing.

Shri Mann: Excellent.

Student: Well, she just took the words out of my mouth. I was going to say that I see it
as a tool just to help us understand why we are here and what we are here to do.

Shri Mann: As a guide.

Student: To sort of increase our understanding of not just our own individual lives, or
even other people's lives, but almost as a spiritual quantum physics to understand the
continuums and patterns in relationships. And, to help us understand how things are
developing and how we are developing, what we can do and where life is heading.

Shri Mann: That is also a very good definition of the use and purpose of astrology.
How about you?

Student: I tend to believe that it is something that has been lost and found and lost and
found, God knows how many times. I read one of your lectures and I am not sure if this is
where I got that from or not. Jyotish means the light of the lord. I remember King Solomon
asked if God would grant him anything that he asked for and he asked for wisdom and
understanding, and God gave him astrology. This is in the Bible. Then he thanked Him. He
said, "Thank you, God. I now know the time and the season for everything and the secrets of
man's heart." That's about it.

Shri Mann: So, again, an instrument of understanding, of wisdom.

Student: Personally, I have always believed that astrology is an old science, as she just
said, that was more operative at one time. My basic thoughts right now are that it has been lost
to our generations for the most part. I believe that some people might have some knowledge of
this science still. In other words, I think that it was a pure science at one time and an operative
science at one time. I think it's largely lost to us even though I think some people still possess
some of its knowledge. And I would like to learn about that. I would like to practice that. I look
at horoscopes and things like that in the paper and I think the forecast for me is very true in
most cases. I have a lot of friends who believe in astrology to a deeper extent probably. And I
saw recently a computer read-out of astrology, of a chart. I would like to practice that. I would
like to practice these things, and put astrology to some type of practical use for myself. From
talking to my friends, I have developed a strong belief in astrology. What the various types are,
I do not know anything about. Astrology was just astrology to me but I am sort of hearing here
tonight that there are different types of astrology and various levels which I am not aware of.
From what I saw of its use with the computer I felt that maybe I could gain that type of
knowledge and make some practical use of it myself.
 Shri Mann: That is the central purpose of all knowledge, its application to our lives.
That is what we will try to do here with astrology. Thank you.

Student: I recently learned about this type of astrology and it has simply fascinated me.

Shri Mann: Curiosity?

Student: So far I have seen so much proof of all sorts that I have no doubt that it does
work.

Shri Mann: And so you wish to know more about it. Thank you.

Student: Well, I look at it as a guide to understanding and growth, and a way of

achieving potential.

Shri Mann: Of maximising your growth. Thank you. You have not left me much to
add. The consensus here seems to be that astrology has understanding and wisdom to offer us,
and all of you would like to learn the practical application of this science, of this knowledge,
which we all seem to believe has a great ability to assist us in everyday decisions in different
fields, and somehow help us to know ourselves better. Let us, then, begin working toward that
by first asking a few questions.

What kind of knowledge does astrology give us? How does it work? Why does it work?
What makes it a means of previewing future probabilities or for comprehending the things
which we expect to understand from it? There are many, many questions which need to be
discussed, need to be understood, and we will not have absolute answers to a lot of them. There
aren't any absolute answers to many things in life, but we do have a lot of perspectives which
shed a great deal of light on the subject at hand.

First, since this is a study of planets, we must ask: What do planets do? How do they
bring about these effects? Do they actually bring them about? Or are they simply symbols
which present a means for deciphering what is preordained? Are they reflectors of the
influences which are acting in our life due to other causes, or do they actually produce these
influences themselves? In still other words, are planetary rhythms simply synchronous with
mundane events and human affairs or do they actually possess a causative power?

If we assume this relationship of planets with our existence and circumstances to be

causal, then we are faced with the question: what is the medium through which this influence
is exerted? Is this influence purely physical, producing its effects through a variety of known
and as yet unknown mechanical agencies such as gravity, electromagnetic fields, radiations of
various kinds, etc.?

To begin, let us discuss the physical influence hypothesis. This theory implies a
physical influence generated by planets on our personalities, on our life. Well, today we are
‘scientifically’ aware of the fact that the physical mass and motion of planets has an impact on
our world, and any argument to the contrary would be irrational. There are gravitational and
other effects produced by different celestial bodies, and we witness these affects, in various
forms, on crops, the oceans, the weather and the seasons. It is only reasonable to assume that
most probably these also affect our bodies and glands in different ways. It is commonly
believed that whenever there is a full or a new moon there is an increase in childbirths,
emotionality, poetic compositions, romantic inclinations, moodiness, and even violence. Well,
these too can be directly related to the physical effect of the lunar body on our glands. We
know the tides are caused by the lunar/solar influence. There is a great deal of fluid in our
bodies and the gravitational pull affects that fluid. When that fluid is affected, it also affects
our moods, the way we feel. Depression as well as elation can be brought about by the lunar
cycles. Similarly, excessive bleeding is often present when the Moon is full. It is widely known
to the more aware surgeons that surgery during a full moon is a somewhat dangerous project
because the possibility of excessive bleeding or haemorrhaging is greater. Beyond what I have
mentioned, there are many detailed scientific accounts of the effects (or of the synchronicity)
of planetary movements pertaining to numerous natural phenomena. This brings us to a very
clear conclusion that there is a physical celestial influence acting on the earth and the human
body.

You may have heard about Sun spots or Solar flares affecting the stock market, and
even the economy of nations, for that matter. Similarly, Solar and Lunar eclipses are also
thought to effect these. Well, this, too, can be attributed entirely to physical influences, that is,
we can say that the glands are acted upon by variations in the lunar and solar activity, and the
result is a change in the mood of investors which leads to either a bullish or a bearish approach
or no approach, which is quite often the case with the stock market, i.e., no activity. So, this,
too, can be interpreted as a translation of the physical influence.

But, now we must examine another phenomenon related to this issue. How is it that
different people are affected differently, in terms of emotional effects as well as events, by the
same planetary transits? For instance, why does one person feel depressed while another is
feeling happy? One person dies and another revives? These too we could explain as being due
to differences in the physiochemical composition of different persons. However what we
cannot explain on the same basis are those contrary or differing happenings which are neither
directly nor indirectly traceable to physiochemical conditions. For example, during the same
transit one person is executed but another is freed, one king is dethroned, while another is
crowned? During the same time and planetary transits, why does one person fail or lose while
another succeeds or gains?

This creates a new complexity. If the influence is entirely physical, then we have a
puzzle because it does not appear to have a uniform effect, all other things being equal. This
conflicts with the concept that all planetary influence upon us is only of a physical nature.
Obviously, if planets only had a physical effect, it would be uniform and would effect
everyone in the same manner.

Let us pursue it a little further and take the example of accidents. We know that there
are more accidents when, for instance, Sun is square Mars. These are verified and verifiable
matter. Yet, not everyone has an accident. Why do only some people have an accident? This
increase could involve a percentage of people who are predisposed to it, for whom the
changing planetary influences (transits/aspects) act in a manner which raises that probability
for them, but, it does not make it happen for others. So, what is the reason which predisposes
certain persons toward an accident at a given time? Could the natal horoscope hold that
answer?

So, we must look further. Now, let us consider the natal horoscope. What is the natal
horoscope? In essence a horoscope is a picture of the total universal influence at play at the
moment of birth (of a person, an object or an activity). It is a composite picture, inclusive of all
the different forces, all the energies of the universe as a whole, as a coalesced set of their
mutual relations, for that moment. It is like an alloy. Houses, planets, signs are like elements
and they come together in different combinations to form this complex compound - each planet
in a different house, in a different sign, as a ruler of a different house in each horoscope, in
combination with other planets. What does that do? That produces a complex alloy of
influences. It is unique. If we take all the elements in the world, and I believe there are 107
today, and compute the possible combinations which can arise out of these, we go past
trillions. In fact, this number is incalculable, and the alloys which can be created are endless.
Each horoscope is like an alloy. It is a coming together of the same ingredients, the 12 houses,
the 12 signs and 12 planets, in various combinations, just as the alphabet forms language. You
see, we have only 26 letters in the alphabet, yet there is no end to the numbers of words we can
make, and no limit on the number of word-combinations or sentences we can produce.
Therefore, literature is potentially infinite. There can never be an end to the number of possible
compositions which can differ in some manner. All out of just 26 elements of the alphabet.
Here we are speaking of 36 basic elements, and yet this does not take into account the finer
elements produced by smaller sub-division of the zodiac, such as Navamsas, which are 108 in
a horoscope or any of the other Vargas (other smaller sub-divisions of the zodiac), which
would make the number of the basic astrological elements far greater. Thus, the possible
permutations become infinite.

So, the number of possible astrological combinations, just like the number of alloys that
are possible, is practically limitless. Now, each alloy has peculiar characteristics. Some make
wonderful conductors for electricity, others for temperatures. Still others are excellent where
malleability is needed, and others where brittleness is required. Each one has different
characteristics, different qualities, and some are only slightly different, but different enough to
make them suitable for certain usages and not so for others.

We know that alloys have what is termed a ‘habit’ which is a particular propensity of a
metal to spring back to its original form under certain temperatures. Then there is metal
fatigue. Different metals respond differently to different levels of vibration and stress. So, the
stress level that one alloy can actually endure may be far greater than another alloy. Obviously,
we would not use an alloy which cannot tolerate vibration to make an aeroplane. An alloy may
be very good for load-bearing but not good for the friction and heat that is generated at high
speeds, so we cannot make a spacecraft out of it. Similarly, each horoscope is unique and,
sometimes only very slightly different. You see, we are so similar and yet so different. In fact,
if somebody with an utter lack of perception were to look at all of us, he might say: ‘They all
seem alike, there is no notable difference between them, and there is nothing worth studying
here’. Yet, each one of us here is uniquely different and has a different life experience behind
him or her, different circumstances, different approaches, different methods of doing things,
different abilities, aptitudes, likes and dislikes, etc.

The horoscope, then, is essentially an alloy of the universal forces in effect at the
moment of birth. When we know exactly what any alloy does, we can put it to the best possible
use. We would apply it in the right place for the right purposes and obtain the maximum
benefit from it. The horoscope contains precisely that information concerning the ‘human
alloy’.

Now, in human existence, why is there such diversity, such variety? Why is it that some
people are born into families that have wealth, money, power, all the comforts and
conveniences, while others are born into poverty, into misery and limitations. Some lose
everyone in their family, while others have hardly any tragedies or problems concerning
family. Instead, they have a large family circle, all loving, friendly and helpful, all well settled
in life. Then we see people who are born handicapped, who are born with different difficulties
and troubles. Sorrows, tragedies and hardships attend the lives of some people all the way
through, while others sail through life.

We see people who are greedy, bad tempered, rude, unfriendly, overbearing, selfish,
malicious, and find them making every move successfully, making money whichever way they
turn. They touch dirt and it turns to gold. And then we look at others who are hardworking,
helpful, kind, and all we see in their life is suffering, misery, pain, sorrow. We say, "Why?
Why is this so?" All these things vex and perplex us and turn many of us away from faith in
the existence of a benevolent, just and superior causative intelligence.

In view of this, we have to make a series of judgements in order to make sense out of
these apparently inexplicable conditions . First, it must be settled whether the visible universe
is a self-created, self-existent and a self-sustaining one or it is a product, a creation of a higher
consciousness. Personally, I think that the first option is a dummy option, since elementary
logic forbids it. Why would any rational being prefer the groundless and untenable argument
that unconscious, inanimate matter gave rise to consciousness and intelligence, as opposed to
the reverse? Why would any rational being believe in the eternal pre-existence of dead matter
without having any intelligent source, cause or creator? Why would any rational and inquiring
being accept these logical impossibilities? I have written much more on this matter elsewhere,
but for now I shall leave it here.

The latter and obviously correct option is that there is a preceding creative force and
intelligence behind this universe, which I will not necessarily name or label; I personally
believe that ‘God’ is as good a general name as any other we may choose, but let us call it the
Prime Intelligence for now. Now, we must make a second judgement, which is that this Prime
Intelligence is either very unjust and merciless or it is completely fair as well as benevolent,
and has very good reasons for making these variations, for allowing these apparently unjust
differences. We must decide which is the case.

Once again, logic itself denies us the first conclusion. How may we rationally assert that
we, acting on the created plane, as was concluded earlier, exceed in our sense and conception
of justice and compassion, those of the Prime Intelligence which brought this plane into
existence? It is fundamentally irrational to assume that our human qualities, be they intellectual
or emotional, are superior to those of the very agency which defined and manifested our being
and environment. The truth of this statement is especially highlighted when we consider the
propensity of the human race toward cruelty, greed, violence, vice and villainy. Further, our
intellectual status and knowledge is best expressed in the simple fact that we are not even
aware of the greater portion of creation, far less, understand it. To pass judgement on the Prime
Intelligence from this platform of evolution, is not merely absurd but also very arrogant.

Thus, the only remaining conclusion is that not only is there a Prime Intelligence which
has created and is maintaining our universe, but that it is indefinably and incomparably
superior to our own and is perfectly benevolent, just and merciful. Having arrived here, the
only useful course left open to us is to probe deeper into the laws and principles governing
creation and existence. Only in that process will we find understanding and answers. In
proportion to that growing understanding, our alignment with the Truth will increase. Through
that, not only are the causes and reasons behind pain and suffering revealed, but also freedom
from them is achieved.

Now, we all know about the physical law of cause and effect. It is demonstrated in life
everyday. Much, if not most, of mundane science is essentially based in the law of cause and
effect. No scientist will deny it. There is another scientific definition: For every action there is
an equal and opposite reaction. By the way, to my knowledge, nowhere in science is it
mentioned that only every physical action has an equal and opposite reaction. It only states in
the laws of physics that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So, somewhere
consciously or subconsciously, science recognises the possibility that there may be other forces
which can create events which have equal and opposite reactions. For example, mental,
emotional, perhaps even spiritual forces. So, when we look at it from that perspective, we
cannot deny that everything that we think, feel, say, or do, must also have a reaction. Of
course, this reaction is not ‘opposite’ as in the scientific definition, but as a consequence.

Science also accepts that matter or energy can change form or are interchangeable, but
they cannot be destroyed. So, where are the effects, reactions or consequences caused by the
mind, the emotions, the feelings, stored? As we can see, causes and effects, actions and
reactions pertaining to physical objects are constantly working themselves out on the physical
plane. But the effects or consequences produced by emotions, feelings and desires, where are
they stored? Where do they go to await resolution? Since we cannot deny that they must have
an equal reaction or consequence, it must take some form, be absorbed or stored somewhere
and be resolved through some process. That store as well as process, according to Hindu
scriptures, philosophy and belief, as taught at least 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, is Karma. The
word Karma literally means action. That is all this word means. But a very brief definition of
its function can be: ‘A process of serially loading into a queue or an accumulator all negative
and positive mental, emotional, spiritual actions of any individual and then bringing them to
bear in the same order on that individual as lessons in a manner beneficial to his or her
evolution.’

But, this is a finer law than the one in effect on the purely physical plane. The higher we
move, the finer and subtler the laws become. The microcosm reflects the same principles
except that those of the macrocosm become increasingly subtler and finer. The focus of Karma
is on intent and desire, which are affected by our understanding. Therefore Karma discerns
and records intentions and desires, and devises appropriate lessons which correct the
misunderstanding underlying these. Misunderstanding in this respect can mean either
ignorance of or a disregard for the eternal laws and truths which govern existence. A quick
illustration of this may be given as follows: “If any one causes any intentional harm to another,
then he or she is in ignorance or contempt of the eternal law and truth that all consciousness is
actually one and any harm done to another is essentially harm done to the self.” In such a case,
the concerned individual will have to undergo a variety of experiences, some of which may be
extremely unpleasant, in order to have his ignorance removed and his consequent
misunderstanding rectified. How long it takes for any individual to learn, depends mostly on
the individual.

Such emotions, thoughts, deeds, doings as cannot be immediately and completely

discharged, are stored in the Karmic accumulator. But what is meant by ‘immediately and
completely discharged?’ To clarify this, it should first be known that the unhappy negative
mental/emotional states are themselves the more immediate consequence of wrong intent and
desire, which itself is largely rooted in ignorance and misguided thinking and understanding.
Therefore, much of our wrong intent is discharged directly through these consequent
emotional/mental states, which can then translate into physical ills. For example, when we are
angry we become agitated, which disturbs our blood pressure and increases the possibility of a
stroke. We also produce all kinds of negative hormonal secretions, which can culminate in a
variety of ailments. But these states cannot always or entirely discharge or resolve such of our
actions or activities as have actually resulted in harm, pain or loss to another on any plane. All
such are placed in the accumulator and resolved through the agency of ‘fate’ - but this, too, is
arranged and directed in a wise and benevolent manner, although it may seem as utter cruelty
and injustice to the subject as well as the observers. It is this ‘fate’ that astrology can help to
reveal.

Here, it is vital that we understand the intrinsic nature of this ‘fate’ and distinguish it
from the popular concepts. I used the plural form because there are a few variations in the
popular conception. To begin with, let us acknowledge those who believe there is no such
thing as fate. Then, there are some who think that fate completely directs their life and
everything which happens in it - they may be called true fatalists. Still others feel that fate is
more or less like bad luck, more or less a coincidence. Then there are those who hold that some
things are fated while others are not, but those that are fated are inevitable and nothing can
change them. There are other views, but these are the more prevalent.

The last of the above is perhaps closest to the truth, though it needs refinement and
elaboration. A most important and invariably overlooked truth is that our definition of fate is
based in a rear view perspective. One can only truly say that something was fated if it could be
fully seen in advance and then, if it is undesirable, despite all possible efforts and precautions it
could not be averted or prevented. In the light of this observation, it is correct to say that we
only place responsibility on fate to console ourselves. And, by the same token, simply because
it has already occurred, we deem inevitable that which was perhaps only one out of numerous
different possible outcomes. This establishes that fate is not fate unless the following three
conditions are met: firstly, that it is clearly foreseen, secondly, that all possible efforts are made
to prevent it and, thirdly, that it still happened exactly as foreseen. Unless this compound
criterion has been applied or fulfilled, the responsibility or blame we place on fate may be
groundless.

The reason I am going into all this here at such length is that astrology will not make
sense fully until and unless we can see the larger picture behind it. It is meaningless otherwise.
In the mechanistic sense it is quite meaningless. This particular ‘Karmic’ store which we
accumulate, has to be discharged over a period of time. How is it discharged? It is discharged
by this most benign intelligence in a manner that helps us to correct the defects in our
understanding which generated our wrong desires and actions in the first place, the emotions,
the feelings which were defective. Why did they arise? Why did they happen? What was the
misunderstanding or ignorance there? Obviously, there was a cause behind them. So, the
Karmic law works toward eradicating the cause which generated those feelings in the first
place, not as a punishment.

We now come to another very important distinction. Karma, as I said earlier, is a

teacher, not a judge. This is a cardinal difference, because a judge will punish according to the
book. If you steal something and there is a law which says that stealing anything under $50 or
$100 is petty larceny which carries a fixed sentence, let us say three months in prison, the
judge will hand down that sentence. Now, the person who has done this may be full of remorse
or regret. He may have done it under extreme compulsion, trying to save another person's life
perhaps. The judge does not take all that too seriously into account. He simply gives the due
punishment. Now, you may regret it, you may have deep remorse, or you may have had a very
good cause, but nothing stands in the way. You serve your 3 months and you are out, but you
may come out a worse person. You may have actually become a criminal at heart, but the
judge is not concerned with that. On the other hand, a legal technicality or loophole may get
you off the hook without the least punishment even though you murdered someone.

The teacher is different. He is interested only in educating and reforming, not punishing
you. The teacher looks at a number of things, including the reasons why you did something,
and if there are exonerating, exculpating causes, reasons. You can do something wrong with
good intention and, because of that, instead of as a lesson, Karma may add it as a reward
worthy good Karma, not a bad one. On the other hand, if you do something seemingly good
but with ill-intent which is really harmful for others, Karma may teach you a lesson far greater
than any judge would.

Just as a teacher sits in a classroom and says, “Well, until you learn this you are going to
stay in this class”, Karma says “This is what you must learn. Take your time, for it does not
matter whether you learn it in three days, three years or three lifetimes. As long as you do not
learn, you are going to stay in this class.” There is no fixed period. If you learn it the same day
then you are out, finished, free to leave, to move on. If you do not learn it for three years, you
stay in the same class for three years. This is a very crucial difference between a judge and a
teacher.

Firstly, astrology helps us to recognise and thereby learn our lessons more quickly. It
helps us to avoid making mistakes which would add to burdensome Karma, which earns more
painful lessons. By giving us an insight into the causes of our difficulties, and where our flaws,
folly and shortcomings lie, it enables us to work through the lessons more quickly and,
therefore, to suffer less. Secondly, it makes us more prudent in our actions, in the handling of
our powers and responsibilities, because it takes away arrogance, and cautions us that if
misused or abused it, this very power which we possess today, will translate into intolerable
pain and suffering for us later. This knowledge itself can move us on the path of evolution very
swiftly, very much faster than it would happen otherwise.

The law of Karma does not necessarily demand a tooth for a tooth, unless the
underlying reason or cause for the wrongdoing has not been erased. Indeed, if the wrong
desires and intentions are unchanged, it will take ‘a tooth for a tooth’ and ‘an eye for an eye’.
Of course, it defines the ‘tooth’ or the ‘eye’ it will take, in its own terms. It decides what you
must learn, and it chooses the exact set of circumstances and events which will help you to
realise what you must. Its lessons and modes of teaching can be most strange. A person who
has a lived only for money may, as a consequence of that, be made extremely rich by Karma,
but his wealth brings him such tensions, fears and anxieties that, as a result, deep inside he
gradually begins feeling a growing repulsion for it. Another person who has held a great love
of money may be born into such enormous wealth in a certain life that he grows thoroughly
bored with it. He so completely loses all desire for riches that he finds life an immense and
intolerable vacuum. "Is that all there is? I can have whatever I wish materially but why am I so
unhappy? There has to be something greater, something more. This is a void. I cannot live in
it." Emperors have been known to grow very bored or even deeply troubled by wealth and
power. So, wealth, power and fame are not always blessings of Karma. These can be very
effective instruments for teaching. Wealth, power, fame can make us suffer tremendously in
innumerable ways. Sometimes, it is simply that we have so much in terms of money, influence
and publicity that there is nothing more really left to achieve in these areas. There is no goal or
challenge left in life and one sees the vapidity and hollowness of it all, and turns away from it,
saying, "What is worthwhile? Let me look for it, let me find something meaningful. What are
the deeper purposes, the larger meanings behind creation, the real reasons for existence? I
cannot live like this anymore." You may or may not have realized this yet, but there is nothing
more intolerable than the emptiness and boredom which sometimes accompanies the
achievement of all that is materially achievable? There are few things more torturous than that
for some souls at a particular stage of their evolution. So, Karma can teach in numerous
different, unique, strange and wonderful ways.

In the light of all we have just discussed, let us examine another theory about how
planets really relate to us. The premise of this theory would be that their physical effects on our
bodies as well as their inexplicable relation to the conditions and happenings in our life and our
consciousness, are secondary to their synchronicity with Karmic patterns. At any given
moment, the complex celestial statement corresponds to a different Karmic expression. The
dynamics of that moment’s celestial complex are such that they also incorporate an ongoing
fluid synchronicity of planetary movements with the Karmic pattern it reflects as a still
portrait. In other words, the ‘influences’ of planetary movements in the future are already
captured in the static celestial complex presiding over the moment of birth. In still other words,
what potential capacities the future transits have, what they can or cannot reflect, as well as the
manner in which their changing physical influences can effect the individual at different times
- all this is encapsulated in the snapshot of the celestial complex at the moment of birth. This
explains why under the same transit, two different persons are affected in completely different,
even opposite ways. This explains what was meant when I said earlier that some persons may
be predisposed toward an accident at a given time during a certain transit. This snapshot is the
natal horoscope.

Therefore, it is correct to say that although planetary bodies do have a physical effect, it
can only affect an individual in the manner and to the extent indicated by the natal horoscope. I
will now describe the process to you in a more comprehensive manner. We know that the
physical masses of the celestial bodies have their gravitational magnetic pulls and their various
radiations and all of those things, but, the whole system is more like a gigantic clock, a giant
mechanism, which has been set into motion with incredible precision, which creates all kinds
of combinations in an ever changing pattern, and ticking away through that clock are time slots
or windows, each of which describes one of the myriad Karmic complexes. And the person, the
soul, the spirit, the consciousness, literally enters through that time slot, that window, which
most appropriately reflects the Karmic lessons it brings with it and the state of its development.
And, astrologically, we there find the map for that life. We consult this time slot, which is
expressed by the unique planetary placements which existed then (i.e., the natal horoscope),
and we gain various degrees of insight into the Karma the soul has brought into this existence.
It provides us with some answers to questions such as: Where is it going? What should it do?
What should it not do? What has it learned? What has it not learned? And what must it be
willing to accept? What are the difficult areas? What are the difficult and the smoother periods,
and in what area, in what manner? And, to many more questions.

So, we see that Karma is the cause, the source, of the differences in human conditions
right from birth to the end of life, since one can be injured, crippled, totally devastated at any
stage in one’s life or be given riches, honours, etc., at any point in one’s life. Karma applies to
life in its entirety, not just to its beginnings. In that context we find described a great, though
often a very harsh-seeming justice in the Karmic law. The natal horoscope, gives us a sense of
timing, an idea of what to expect and when, when things are likely to go well and when the
going will be rough. It indicates the nature and intensity of the influences at play at different
times. For instance, it can indicate whether they favour or support meditation, research or
business during a certain phase. Now, if you apply yourself at that time to that particular
endeavour, you may achieve greater success, perhaps more swiftly with much less effort.

On the other hand, if you do not understand the quality of a particular time frame, you
can involve yourself in situations or circumstances which are not favoured. The result can be
an unnecessary struggle which may leave you depleted and embittered. I will present a quick
example, with which you will become very familiar in the future. The Dhaiyya is a period of
2½years. Actually, the word Dhaiyya literally means ‘2½’. It is a special transit of Saturn. For
some people, this can indicate absolute failure and loss in whatever they attempt for a span of
roughly two and a half years. Those who do not know about it, will labour and struggle most
especially during that period, since it tends to attract towards futile effort. They will invest
themselves completely, materially, physically and emotionally in trying to achieve something
which they set their heart upon, and by the end of that phase they may lose everything they
have invested. By the time this period is over, they are often completely defeated, depleted.
When a more favourable time comes around, they have no energy for it. They have no
confidence in themselves. They have no faith left in anything, and they do not have any
resources left either. So, the good period also becomes a failure for them.

Student: Is that not Karma?

Shri Mann: It is also the result of driving without headlights. This is where astrology
comes to our assistance in a very beneficial manner – as a light. It can indicate the general, and
very often the most specific, influences at work for the duration of any given time frame. In
fact, it can indicate the most probable outcome of a chosen course, i.e., it can suggest that at
this time if you pursue this course, this is likely to happen. If it generally suggests a difficult
period, we have the option of avoiding any major investments or risks. We are given this kind
of leeway, where we can sit back and relax. We could meditate during that period, we could
pray, read, learn, grow, as opposed to wasting our energies in all kinds of other efforts which
may yield nothing but trouble or loss. And in that time frame we have rested, we have not
drained ourselves, and now that a favourable time comes around, we are ready to achieve, we
are refreshed, we are wiser and we have a greater chance of making a success of it. So, this is
another manner in which good astrology helps us.

But the most important function of astrology is, as all of you have said in different
ways, self-knowledge. It is the understanding of who we are, what we ultimately want, and
what would truly be the best way to achieve it. First, we have to know ourselves. If we do not
know ourselves, there is no way we can do the things which we really ought to and should do,
simply because we do not know what our real needs, aptitudes or abilities are nor what we
really want to do with our life.

Astrology can give us a recognition of desires that are deepest, since those are the
driving forces, the motivating forces. We act on the superficial plane in our life constantly. We
think we want wealth. We think we want fame. We think we want power. We think we want
revenge. We think we want vindication. Sometimes, we think we want the love of somebody
and, sometimes, just a particular possession. These are all symptoms of a single deeper need.
We do not really want this or that. What we really need and want is happiness, but we do not
realise that these things are not going to give us happiness. They are merely desires. Desire
fulfilment never brings happiness because desire is never completely satiated, nor is it a true
need.

[End of Tape 1, Side 1; Beginning of Tape 1, Side 2]

Shri Mann: How often has it happened that our desire to eat something which we find
delicious has been satisfied only to be revived again with greater gusto. How many times have
we seen our desire for many other repetitious acts which we indulge in, satisfied fully, and yet
it only buries in us a greater desire for a repeat of the same thing. Obviously, there is no such
thing as enduring desire fulfilment. Therefore, indulgence in desires does not lead to any stable
state of happiness. It leads to increased craving, which is the root of pain, because if it is not
fulfilled again and again, we are miserable. So, astrology in many ways is an instrument which
lets us see deeper into the wellsprings of desire. And those are Karmic. These wellsprings are
the propensities we bring with us, created by our Karma. Now, let us talk about the function of
desire because it is very meaningful in the context of what we are doing. It also has a deep
connection with Karma.

There are many things with which we first become familiar and then become habituated
to, next they become desires, then cravings. In reverse, too, any craving is also a desire which
tries to promote a habitual indulgence. You may have felt earlier that you disliked something.
Later on a friend enticed you to try it. And you took it or did it once, and liked it, perhaps only
just a very little. Then you tried it again because of someone and you liked it better. And, about
dozen or so times later you became addicted to it. Now you really crave it. It has become a
desire through becoming familiar with it, becoming used to it, through repetition. That desire is
now a Karmic imprint on you. You will seek to fulfil that desire in life after life. This imprint
was created in this life, but you have also brought imprints from previous lives into this one.
Of course, all this presupposes reincarnation. If we have any disagreement on that subject, I am
quite open to your views and, of course, will very happily discuss it. I consider it to be a logical
issue which can be settled on the rational plane.

However, let us return to our earlier assumption that life after life certain desires are
strengthened. If, in a previous life we tried very hard to achieve something but did not succeed,
the desire for its fulfilment became buried in us. In this life it came as a propensity, an
embedded frustration, a deeply rooted conscious or unconscious craving to achieve it. These
desires and cravings can be of any nature. They can be for revenge, for food, for power, for
sex, for honour, or for anything else. They can even be for atonement, for expiation, for
making amends for wrongs done by us for which we had in a past life consciously realised our
culpability. Similarly, so many propensities are created in our present life through a build up of
repetitious activities in different fields, frustrations in different fields. Frustration and
fulfilment, by the way, both lead to similar results. Frustration wants the fulfilment of that
desire and fulfilment itself instigates repeat performances. It says “This is wonderful; I must
have it again.” So, desire is the essential core of Karma. That is why ultimately it is necessary
to achieve an inner detachment from worldly things, from transience, distancement from
desires, from cravings. This detachment is a prerequisite to even worldly happiness, and an
immutable precondition to any true spiritual development, which ultimates in perfect
enlightenment very far past the stage where worldly craving are fully left behind. This is so
because the foundation of all desires (which form Karma) is the ego. The invisibly fine final
layer of the ego is beyond desire, and its full dissolution is indispensable for full
enlightenment, true bliss, eternal joy. Therefore, detachment from the mundane is a most
important initial step in the process of spiritual evolution, for it is these desires which bring us
back again and again as Karma.

The body of Karma is the sum and substance of such desires and cravings, and of the
emotions, feelings and intentions which they create. In a manner of speaking, Karma and
craving are one and the same thing. The bulk of these desires and cravings are rooted in
ignorance or misunderstanding. This is too large a topic as a whole for this forum. As we
proceed, we will address parts of it further to gain insights pertinent to our study. For now, I
will conclude with the statement that proper astrology can be a guide to the real nature of the
driving forces and energies in our being, and thus help each individual to see past the foliage of
transient wishes, and align the life and effort with the quintessence of the Karmic inner being
in a positive and constructive manner. The individual and specific ideal directions and
expressions for each one of us are available in our individual natal horoscopes.

Astrology helps us to gather a deeper knowledge of the real imprint of desire in

ourselves. Through this understanding the process of resolution and evolution quickens. We
are able to provide appropriate vehicles and avenues for our now better understood
fundamental longings, ambitions and needs in such wise that we not only find satisfaction but
also the most creative, productive and beneficial use of our real talents and gifts. The mere
awareness of our fundamental desires reduces their invisible hold over us. We also see the
hidden attendant, acerbating causes which increase them, tie into them, and all this gradually
resolves much of the desire function within us, leading us to a purer condition of
consciousness, which ultimately results in higher intelligence, more happiness, peace and
fulfilment.

So, the cosmic clock has been set into place to help us know, to help us see what it is
that we bring with us and how to deal with it best. It is not denied us to use it. If it were, it
would not be there, or it would not have been given a meaningful function. The planets could
still have been there and yet shown no coincidence, no synchronicity with human affairs, no
relation to human characteristics, to the human condition. They would just be there as random
debris in space. Debris is not the right word for they are too beautiful to be called that. The
point is they could still be there as all the rest are, but have no meaning in the astrological
sense. However, an observable, intelligent synchronicity was provided them, and that
synchronicity exists only so that we may use it. It is meant as a tool by the Supreme
Intelligence. In Sanskrit astrology is called Jyotish, as Michelle reminded us. Jyotish is
comprised of two words: jyoti and ish. Ish is the Lord and jyoti is light. The Lord's light. It is
given us as a torch to light the way.

Now, the future is similar to a road. It has its pitfalls and pot holes. It has its bends and
dangerous turns and curves, ups and downs, and all of those things which roads present as
hazards. Now, let us say, there are two persons sitting in two cars on a pitch dark night at the
beginning of this road. One is sitting in a Ferrari, an excellent sports car I hear, and the other is
sitting in an old beat up jalopy. Let us further add that the difference between the two is that
one has headlights and the other does not. The jalopy has headlights but the Ferrari does not.
The driver of the Ferrari has excellent reflexes, while the one in the jalopy is not in very good
shape but he has headlights. Both travel down the same road. The road itself does not change
for either of them. It remains the same. The pot holes and turns do not go away, and the ups
and downs stay where they are. However, what does change is the way it is travelled. In the
darkness, the man in the Ferrari, with all the power, fitness and expertise, will miss all the exit
signs to the gas stations, to the wonderful towns which might be on the way, etc. But, much
more importantly, he will most probably break his axle in a pot hole or crash at the first curve
which comes along because he does not have any headlights.

Now, this other man in the jalopy has head-lamps and he proceeds very comfortably,
avoids all the pot holes, takes all the bends very safely, does not miss any exits, and arrives
safely at his destination. All because he has headlights and he can see. The road of the future
did not change for either of them, yet the process and result of their respective journeys was
surprisingly different. This is important to emphasise that the influences which lie in the future
do not change. What can be changed is how we travel through them. Astrology is like the
headlights of the car of life, and that is one of the better analogies I can give you. Of course,
the similarity cannot be perfect in that the one is a very concrete, very physical situation while
the other is an abstract concept.

Are we ready for a tea break? Okay, let us take a short break and have some tea. [ Break,
and then a brief discussion about starting class at an earlier time in the evenings in future].

Alright, let us continue.

Amongst the things which we must deal with at the inception of this course, also lies the
matter of Fate versus Destiny. The distinctions between these are extremely important and
need delineation. What is the point of foreknowledge? This is a very vital question. Can we
change things? Can things be altered through our knowing about them or not? Well, yes and
no. Some things cannot be altered. They are a part of ‘fate’. Some things can be greatly
modified, and they are a part of ‘destiny’.

Sometimes these two words are used inter-changeably, almost as synonyms, but they
really are not. You never hear anyone saying “this or that person failed or fulfilled his or her
fate.” You hear people say, “So-and-so failed his or her destiny” or “Go, make your destiny,
fulfil your destiny.” The difference is that fate fulfils itself willy-nilly, as we have previously
discussed. We cannot do anything about it. Destiny is actually a potential, not a certainty.
Destiny is more a statement of the full spectrum, the scope, that is allowed to us for growth and
achievement. Although, even destiny has a ceiling and a bottom to it, but within that you can
crawl on the floor or you can soar to the ceiling. Very few people ever aspire to, and still fewer
succeed in touching the ceiling of their potential. By law of gravity, most of us stay closer to
the bottom, the floor. Only a very rare few fulfil the entire potential offered by their destiny.
Therefore, destiny remains a statement of one’s probable and possible destination, not of pre-
destination. The purpose of astrology, and of the work of any astrologer, then, is to assist in the
recognition and acceptance of ‘fate’ and to guide in the cognition and fulfilment of ‘destiny’.
Here a very appropriate prayer comes to mind, which I am sure you are all familiar with. It is
known as the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.” I
have paraphrased it, since it has many variations, and I am also not sure who the author is. It is
almost certainly not Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr (20 th Century) nor Friedrich Oetinger (1702 -1782),
but more likely the Roman philosopher, Boethius [1] (480 to 524 A.D.) who wrote
1

‘Consolations of philosophy”. Nevertheless, it is a prayer filled with wisdom. And, astrology is

one of God’s answers to it.

Astrology helps us to achieve the maximum possible in the flexible areas of our life,
through the efficiency born of understanding, efficiency in the way we direct and employ our
time, energies and resources. That is what potential fulfilment is all about. When you meet
every opportunity in a prepared manner, when you go in the right direction, when you do
1[1] Theoriginal authorship of the Serenity Prayer has remained uncertain, though it has been attributed
to a number of sources, from very recent to much earlier times as far back as the English Pagans. The
original concepts, not the popular variations of words, within this prayer are to be found in the writings
of Boethius, the Roman philosopher.
things which are in harmony with the positive potentials of your life, which are in sympathy
with your natural abilities and talents, and which are also necessary to your growth, you are
fulfilling your destiny. Now, this does not guarantee or promise an easy course in life.
Depending on the starting point, the journey to the same destination can be very long and
difficult for some, while it is short and smooth for others. In any given life, the starting point of
this journey is the Karmic status of each individual. The nature and scope of each destiny is
defined by this status.

The ideal path choices offered to many individuals by their destiny are not always
pleasant or pleasurable in the entirely mundane sense. Each individual’s destiny can offer
different choices, some of which, if taken, may include confrontations with temptations, an
easier possibility of comforts or pleasures, short-lived or lifelong. Not all, but some of these
temptations may clash with or demand in barter the surrender of the higher ideals. Others may
involve numerous hardships, denials and sacrifices, voluntary or imposed. Therefore, staying
on course, remaining true to the pursuit of one’s destiny, can entail a life-long struggle with the
seductive power of lesser choices. Nevertheless, growing adherence to ideals will unfailingly
bring increasing self-satisfaction as well as rich, actually priceless rewards to the soul in
relation to its eternal voyage. The process becomes easier and easier to manage, the more
aware you become of your hidden or deeper self, the more you understand your Kārmic
backdrop, the more you comprehend your destiny. These are always proportional to one
another.

So, there are difficult choices to be made because they can involve voluntary and,
therefore, avoidable pain and suffering, and the renunciation of certain apparently very
enjoyable things. We offer to disallow ourselves certain comforts or pleasures, abandon certain
very desirable things, even accept sufferings in order to achieve a higher goal, a much more
worthwhile, valuable end. Of course, the reward is very large, but it is more of a long-term
return, though immediate or short-term benefits are neither few nor little. Lastly, but most
importantly, the growing inner light which is a natural and inevitable consequence wherever
this endeavour is sincere, begins to erase weakness, doubts and confusion, replacing these with
that increasingly blissful state of consciousness which, in its ultimate form is itself the final
prize and destiny of all. This eventual destiny is also the last destination of every being. The
various different paths by which different beings reach it are the individual destiny paths, and
every life of each being is a segment of its individual path. It is this process which can be
quickened and essentially eased by the proper application of astrology.

Here, to place things in perspective, I must emphatically state that astrology is by no

means the only tool of this type, nor is it an indispensable or even the most essential tool for
the facilitation of this process. It is certainly an extremely useful device, perhaps one of the
most, if not the most useful among the many others of a similar nature. Yet, the only truly
indispensable instrument for the above purpose is the determination to evolve spiritually. This
includes dedication to an unrelenting pursuit of truth and wisdom, the willingness to make
whatever sacrifices are needed to find it, and the courage to live it, regardless of cost. No
knowledge is of much worth or benefit to one who does not possess this desire and
determination to some degree.

For those who do seek growth and truth, astrology can serve as the key to immense
insight and understanding. An understanding of one’s horoscope makes it much easier to
choose, to decide appropriate courses of action. How? The chart not only shows the deeper
inner natural inclinations, proclivities and propensities, but also the level of the accompanying
aptitude, i.e., the natural skill or talent. It is commonly seen that people have a strong interest
in or liking for certain things, but do not have any real natural ability in them. Since these areas
are the ones which attract them, they waste a great deal of time, often a whole lifetime, in them
and experience much frustration trying to beat their mediocrity. Conversely, some people have
great natural talent in one or some fields but have no innate interest in them. Whether they
work in those fields or not, it is a loss either way. This instance shows either a completion of
lessons pertaining to that skill or area, or that this lifetime or this specific time-frame is not the
most suitable for further work in it. Yet, we find many people trapped in such activities simply
because it was discovered that they have skill in these. Of course, in a case like this, astrology
is not needed in order to realise that one should make a switch, since it is always quite self-
evident – except that the question of what one should switch to would still remain, unless good
astrology can be had for guidance. Besides that, it is essential for an early detection of such
areas where not only interest as well as skill exist, but which also accord with the larger
framework of one’s destiny. These remain hidden throughout the lives of many, perhaps, most
people. They are usually not recognised because their lives do not present the special types of
opportunities, at least not in a timely manner, necessary for discovering them. Where, by good
fortune, they are discovered early enough, there is no knowing whether they are suited to the
expression of the higher potentials of one’s destiny. Though not always, but often enough, such
a suitability can be achieved by simply employing those gifts or talents in a manner which
serves that higher ideal. These recognitions and insights, as you will discover, are well within
the scope of astrology, whereas, without it, a whole life can be spent without realising where or
how to unite true interests, real ability and one’s higher destiny.

For example, there are combinations which could not only indicate musical interest as
well as talent, but also its suitability as a profession. Well, it will be relatively easy, for a
person who has such combinations, to achieve success in music, to become a good musician;
but, it may not be the most worthwhile thing for that person to be doing in this life or in a given
time frame. Alternately, there may be certain lesson areas reflected in the chart which indicate
that selfless service in the musical field in a particular manner is the real destiny, not the other
benefits which might be achieved through success in that field. Such an understanding could
shape the life into not only a nobler but also a more satisfying expression, resulting in
achievements which may not otherwise have been possible. This could happen if, let us say, if
the 9th house is activated in a specific manner, suggesting that unless the profession connects to
the positive representations of this house, it will not serve destiny. In this case, if the person
employs his musical talents in a manner which is linked to and appropriate for the most
powerful of the positive significations of his 9 th house, the result will be a fulfilling occupation
while fulfilling destiny. What could be more desirable?

Thus, astrology offers us the means to maximise our potential in the right direction. This
is, in fact, the major function of good astrology. Now, there are different types of astrology and
we will be discussing the differences between them, and why some have failed or have not
succeeded the way they should have, and what went wrong where, and what we can do about
it.

A most important thing to realise at the very outset, is that astrology has an inexactness
to it in many ways. And, we should welcome this imprecision because this impreciseness is
precisely what offers us hope, which says that certain things are open to alteration. If every
horoscope fulfilled its combinations completely and never failed to ever deviate from its
indications, it would be a devastating statement. It would mean that we are total slaves to the
planetary combinations. That, we have no free will; we have no choice. Would not that be an
inescapable logical conclusion then? If certain indications, whenever found, always fulfilled
themselves, what would it mean except perfect bondage for us? If such were the case then
there would be no destiny, but only fate. By the same token, Karma could not exist either,
since it cannot exist without free will. But, that is not the case and this is one of the reasons
why astrology has been discredited by sceptics who have not really cared to explore it, or have
examined the wrong system. They can assert that its predictive function lacks consistency and
reliability, and therefore, is no better than the roll of a dice. A good deal of the merit in their
accusation lies in faulty astrology or incompetent astrologers, but the rest, thanks to Him, is
due to the existence of choice and free will. Indeed, a great deal may be fated, but a greater
deal is not. Here, I feel it is extremely important to realise that the function of a good astrologer
or of good astrology is not to predict any specific event or outcome, but to project and present
potentials and possibilities - both negative as well as positive. The real function and purpose is
to assist in redistributing and redirecting the energies and resources possessed by an individual
in such a manner that the negative possibilities are minimised while the positive ones are
optimised. That is all.

To go back to fate and destiny. Firstly, many ‘fated’ things are of an environmental and
inherited nature. The moment birth takes places many aspects of fated things are crystallized.
For instance – gender, colour of the skin, eyes and hair, basic physical features, etc. Certain
important elements of our environment are also established – parents, family, creed, culture,
country, etc. These are all starting allotments of a fated nature.

Similarly, there can be other things which are already seeded, so to speak, waiting to
happen in the future, and are also a part of fate. For example, predispositions can be
considered, in a manner of speaking, fated. Predispositions, not their outcome. The
predisposition is fated. For example, we can clearly see in horoscopes a predisposition to
alcohol or drug addictions, as well as many other susceptibilities, proclivities, tendencies,
inclinations. In some cases, these are as clearly visible in the horoscope as if written out in so
many words. Susceptibility to various diseases, physical and mental, including schizophrenia,
insanity, etc., can be seen in a chart. Criminal tendencies, sexual imbalances, etc., are all
written there. But they are only propensities or proclivities. In other words, they are only
negative potentials, not actualities. Some of them are very powerful propensities, others are
relatively weaker. Yet, timely awareness and knowledge of them allows us work on them, to
change them. How we handle those propensities is more or less open to free choice. You can
truthfully say that generally speaking, all intense likes and dislikes, strong desires,
predispositions and propensities are part of the fated structure, whereas, what we do with them,
how we deal with them, is more a function of destiny.

Since Karma by itself implies action, how is it possible that Karma committed without
our free will can have any effect on us? Can we be held responsible for the consequences of
any action which is not from our free will? No. Even the poorest conception of justice cannot
admit that possibility. So, obviously the philosophy of Karma implies that we face only the
consequences arising from the use of our free will, with even the degree of free will accounted
for. Our responsibility begins where there is any degree of free will. If the element of free will
is absent, so is the responsibility. Further, if we form Karma through actions born of free will,
it is only logical that we can alter or remove it through judicious use of free will.

Student: Some texts say that if a child dies before a certain age, it is fulfilling the
mother's Karma.

Shri Mann: No. That is not so. But, the way it goes is that if a child dies before a
certain age, it is the mother's Karma, if it dies by yet another age then it is the father's Karma,
and after a certain age, it is its own Karma. No. No one can be subject to another person's
Karma until or unless they themselves also share in it. The actuality is that the mother had
Karmically earned such a child who would be short-lived, whose own fate it was to be short-
lived. Essentially, the two fates must coincide. The mother’s Karma must harmonise with that
of the child.

Student: So, for instance, are we all here together tonight because of some past Karma?

Shri Mann: Well, free will is being discussed right now. [laughter of students]. Those of
you who persist through it, will do so through the exercise of free will. [smiles].

Student: I have a question. According to the Vedas, the time of conception is when the
living entity enters the womb. Why is it that the horoscope is cast for the moment of birth?

Shri Mann: It is like this. Essentially, time is a continuum. Time and space are both
continuums. There is no such thing as a fragment or a fraction of it. There can be no segment
of eternity or infinity. How can something that is infinite have a segment, a finite part? It
contradicts logic. Yet, at a particular point, we draw a clear distinction between the mother and
the child as two separate living entities. The process of inception occurs within the mother's
body. But the birth, the severing of the chord, the separation of the two physical bodies, creates
an independent entity that is clearly subject to the forces which are in effect at that time. In
fact, astrology works backwards as well as forwards. The past as well as the future are
encapsulated in any moment. If one is really keen to know, then theoretically, from the time of
birth, the time of inception can be arrived at as a past incident in the journey of that soul.
Astrology peeks into past lives as well as potential future lives. So, we are not really limited by
the curtain of time anywhere where astrology is concerned. But, delving into past or future
lives by any means or methods is not a productive activity except under very rare or special
circumstances. Perhaps, I will say more on this topic as the course progresses.

Coming back to the issue of free will and Karma, I once again repeat that it is entirely
logical to presume that if free will can form Karma, free will can also change it. The Karmic
burden begins to lighten the moment we begin to act with awareness, begin working to remove
our selfishness, start admitting to and reflecting on our misdeeds and begin making amends
where we can. A genuine conscious effort begins to favourably alter the sum and body of
previous Karma. Its evil effects are mitigated and reduced in intensity. Since this whole
process happens on a very subtle plane, there is often no tangible manifestation or evidence of
this change. Yet, we may rest assured that it is happening as surely as sunshine grows flowers.

To be truly regretful is to repent, and a deeply felt sincere regret for a wrong one has
committed can wash away the Karmic burden attached to that entire action. Of course, if there
is real repentance, there is an effort at atonement, else there is a lack of sincerity. It is the intent
that is the most powerful thing on the Karmic plane. Without thinking about it, we commit
many actions which can result in much harm to others, but because the intent was not to harm,
the liability for the action is reduced - but not erased. We are still responsible for our
thoughtlessness. You cannot imagine how the web of interconnections generated by even a
minor action of ours can end up affecting the lives of millions. What all this boils down to is
that our actions have great effect, they affect us, affect others, and affect our own Karma, our
destiny, our fate. Therefore, anything which increases our self-knowledge and awareness also
increases our ability to act correctly. Proper astrology can make a grand contribution to both of
these.

Let us concoct an example. Let us say Hitler had become gravely ill when he was a little
child. And, let us say, there was a doctor who refused to come in the night to attend to him.
That action would have been, on the surface, a very improper one on the part of the doctor, but
in reality it would have been a blessing which would have prevented untold suffering in the
world, but no one would have ever known this fact. So, every negative action is not necessarily
ultimately a harmful one in its long-term consequence. Despite that, in this instance, the doctor
remains responsible for his unethical conduct as a physician as well as a human being. He is
only responsible for his own intent. If fate had decreed that Hitler be removed, regardless of
the doctors intent or actions, he would have died. Destiny and fate can use good and bad
occurrences for both purposes, good or bad. Either of these can be used as leading connections
to extremely wonderful or terrible things. Something very good you have done may become a
bridge to something really negative and harmful, and vice-versa. Whatever we do can be given
such twists as are appropriate to the Karma of others, and that is how it will affect them. The
result or outcome of our actions, be they good or bad, can be very different for the numerous
chains of persons it will ultimately affect. It will touch each in a deserved and suitable manner.
This is not a matter in our control, nor our responsibility. We are only responsible for the intent
behind our action. We can never escape that, and that is where Karma applies to us.

Student: Does that mean then it is Karma if your ego is involved and, if it is not, it is
not Karma?

Shri Mann: What really becomes important is a chain - the understanding behind the
intent behind the action. The understanding is the most important thing, because it is at the root
of the chain. It is itself the state or face of the ego. Only if the understanding is right, intentions
and consequent actions will be right. There is a saying that ‘the road to hell is paved with good
intentions’. The intentions this proverb refers to are not really sincere intentions, else they
would have spurred the right actions. Aside from that, there can always be other deeper
intentions which are of a selfish nature which receive priority and block or overrule any good
ones which may exist to some degree. It is the deeper intentions which represent the real state
of our understanding. So, wisdom lies in seeking wisdom.

There are innumerable variations and shades of the intentions, the motivations behind
the actions of different people. Each one is fully responsible for his or her intent and, of course,
also for making the right judgement. So, we have to constantly explore and examine ourselves
to see whether we are making the right decisions, the right judgements, whatever the area. Just
because we believe it is right, does not absolve us from all liability with regard to any action. It
is our responsibility to correctly arrive at what is truly right. That is a primary and prime
responsibility - to probe, to examine our beliefs and judgements? Are our approaches to
different things right? Are our attitudes right? Though we feel justified about them, should we
feel justified about them? So, there are a lot of things which an evolving consciousness has to
be aware of and work towards.

If a person has been taught to believe that whatever his or her religion is, is the only
right one, and that killing a person from a different faith is not wrong or even, perhaps, that it is
a meritorious and worthy act, that person is fully responsible for even accepting such a view as
being correct, even if he or she never acts on it in any way.

If a person acts out of a genuine sense of duty to what he or she consider is right though
it is actually wrong, it will not have quite the same effect Karmically than if they had done it
out of selfish or wicked reasons, yet, they would still have to learn the right view, reach proper
understanding concerning the matter, perhaps in very painful ways.

Since all wisdom and understanding really result from and also further spiritual growth,
I wish to say something, which I consider to be of great importance, to everyone here. It is that
the real focus should always remain on matters spiritual and spiritual self-development.
Astrology is no more than a science, albeit a very fine and subtle one. Yet, it is no more than a
science. If it assists us in learning about ourselves, helps us in making the right choices, guides
toward right living, right action, it helps us immensely. However, if we can come to a stage in
our life where there can be a complete surrender to the Supreme intelligence, which is very
difficult except through a gradual process of spiritual evolution, and astrology does help us in
reaching that platform more swiftly; but, if we can reach such a point in our life, where we
have no thought about personal comforts, personal desires, only a great love of the Supreme
Being and a sincere concern for our fellow beings, and we are only directed toward doing what
is right and dutiful, then we do not need astrology to guide us in anything, because then our
feelings, thoughts and actions will not only be right but best. We will have evolved to a point
where no other guidance is needed except the inner guidance of our evolved consciousness
which would be in connection with Him, the Supreme Consciousness. But, that is already a
station of very great evolution. To have reached that is to have arrived at a platform which is
very near the goal of our highest development, if not to be there already. So, this is a tool, an
implement, which may help us to get nearer that goal more quickly. In the context of all this, I
feel it is very important to say to all of you that the really vital and precious things to continue
developing are the inner conditions I have just mentioned, with or without the help of
astrology.

For those who wish to seriously study this science, there are important matters and
considerations to keep in mind. I do not think that it can be emphasized enough that every
knowledge, art or science has myriad successive stages or levels, the attainment and excellence
of each of which depends on the degree of the understanding of all the previous ones. Further,
each new level of knowledge and understanding modifies, improves and refines what was
known and understood of the previous ones. In all sciences there is that body of information
which is recorded or available, and that which was known to some of its practitioners, but for
different reasons was not or could not be recorded or preserved, or for some reason is not
available. Every student of every science should consider it their duty to first acquire all
available information concerning their subject, from all available sources. Then, it should be
carefully assessed in the light of personal reflection and experience, before admitting it as
knowledge in their minds - great patience is needed for this, because it takes much consistent
effort and time. Only then is a sound foundation prepared for the proper application of what is
known and the development and addition of more sound knowledge. Astrology is the most
profound, subtle and vast science. Only those who have an awareness of this and are sincerely
dedicated to learning it humbly and patiently are suitable for its pursuit, else they would only
mock it, even if unwittingly.

The science we are studying is as vast as life. Life is simultaneously very simple and
very complex. In many fundamental respects, life is very similar for all who live, and yet
extremely unique and different for each. This science is about the distinctions and differences.
It has no purpose other than to discover those things which differentiate and individuate and,
through that, assist each individual in the maximization of the best self-expression. Since many
of these differences are very subtle yet very crucial, it is essential that all observation
pertaining to them be equally fine and well-founded. Therefore, if you wish to make a
contribution to this lofty science, you must always form your conclusions on the basis of very
objective observation, fully verified or substantiated by experience, because although logic
may serve as a pointer to possibilities which are worth investigating, it does not necessarily
lead to the truth itself. What you carefully and objectively observe in real life, and find in
actual experience, is the touchstone of truth. I would caution you that even then there is much
room for error owing to many reasons. Therefore, you should remain open to reconsideration,
modification, addition and refinement concerning any conclusion even if you have reason to
consider it to be substantially valid. Lastly, you must always remember that this science must
continue evolving, changing and adapting as long as human existence is doing so.

We should now discuss the differences in the systems of astrology. This is, truly, a
cardinal matter. There are two popular systems, the tropical and the sidereal. The tropical
system is the popular system in the West, while the sidereal system is used primarily in India.
Here I am not differentiating between Western and Eastern, Hindu or Vedic astrology which
originated in Bhārat, i.e., India. The distinction between these two systems is that the tropical
system ignores the precession of the equinoxes, while the sidereal one acknowledges it and
takes it into account in calculating the horoscope. This is an astronomic difference, pun
intended, between the tropical and sidereal systems.

Now, what is the procession of the equinoxes? Let us say, this is our Earth [ draws on chalk
board], and these are stars all around it, i.e., these are the constellations. Now, from the
constellation Arietus, which is accepted as the first one by both systems, let us draw a straight
line to the unbiased axis of the Earth, to the neutral axis of the Earth, which is the perfectly
vertical, centralised, unmoved axis of the Earth. The line we just drew, would mark 0 degrees
of the sign Aries. Arietus is a constellation, and all constellations are fixed. They do not move.
But, our Earth has three motions. The first one, of course, is the rotation on its own axis, which
is the daily 24 hour motion. The second one is the motion of orbiting around the Sun which is
completed in approximately 365 days. The third one is the wobble on its own axis. This is the
slowest of all its motions and it takes roughly 25,800 years to complete one full cycle. You
may be wondering, what is this wobble? Let me explain. Let us say this pencil is the axis of the
Earth. Now I will place its point on paper, then tilt its top to a side. This has produced a fixed
slant of the pencil. Now, without changing the angle of this slant, I begin to move the top of the
pencil. You see, it is now describing a circle in space. The axis of our earth is tilted in a similar
manner and its north pole has a similar circular movement which describes a complete circle in
25,800 years. As a result, the earth moves backwards through the entire zodiac, through the
different constellations and the 12 different signs, each of which is marked with reference to a
constellation.

This line I drew, marks the beginning of the first sign, Aries. This, then, would be
Pisces. This would be Aquarius. And so on. Now, this delineation of the signs is created by the
constellations. Each sign expresses or represents the total influence of all of the fixed stars in a
particular segment of the sky. These stars do not move. The signs also remain perfectly fixed.
It is the Earth which moves out of Aries, backwards into Pisces, then into Aquarius, and so on.
It continues to move and travels through all the signs. This motion is perpetual and has
completed numerous full cycles already. Approximately every 2,166 years it moves back by
one sign, i.e., by 30 degrees. This motion is known as the precession of the equinoxes. This is
an astronomic phenomena which is fully understood and defined. It is this phenomena which
brings about the Ages. Whichever sign the earth is passes through becomes the ruler of those
2,166 odd years. That is how the Age of Pisces, the Age of Aquarius, etc., come about. One of
the major reasons why astronomers condemn tropical astrology is the fact that the Earth is no
longer in alignment with the 0 point of Aries. That is, indeed, true. The Earth is nearing the
division of Aquarius now. That is the reason we hear so much about the coming Aquarian Age,
the New Age. It is believed that it was moving through Pisces at the birth of Christ, which is
why the symbol of Christ was a fish. Well, now it is approaching the end of Pisces, and
preparing to enter Aquarius.

So, we have to take away the number of degrees that the Earth has moved back. That is
known as the precessional value or the Ayanamsa. If we do not deduct it, then it is like saying
that the signs are not marked by the fixed constellations but are actually simply arbitrary
segments around the Earth, which have no connection with the rest of the cosmos. Let us say
this is the Earth and, no matter where the Earth moves, these markings move with it, the signs
move with it. Well, if the signs move with it, what gives them their influence? What
determines their influence? The cosmic influence is not in effect any more. The universal
influence is not being reflected any more. In fact, the entire dense, fixed and immeasurable
mass of stellar bodies is dismissed from this Earth-centred zodiac. So, what are we using? It is
not just arbitrary, but also without any rationale. It has no basis, reason or definition.

Therefore, after we deduct this value, which at the moment is approximately 23 degrees,
40 minutes, from the tropical longitudes, we get the correct position of all the planets, the
ascendant, and the houses. This means that all or some planets may move into the prior sign if
they are less than 23 degrees and 40 minutes in longitude. The ascendant, too, in many
instances, would change to the previous sign. This is the major, most vital differences between
the tropical and the sidereal system.

Precession of the equinoxes

Precession of the equinoxes, westward motion of the EQUINOXES along the ECLIPTIC. The
precession, first noted (c.120 B.C.) by HIPPARCHUS and explained (1687) by Isaac
NEWTON, is primarily due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun on the earth's
equatorial bulge, which causes the earth's axis to describe a cone in somewhat the same
fashion as a spinning top. As a result, the equinoxes, which lie at the intersections of the
celestial equator and the ecliptic, move on the celestial sphere (see ASTRONOMICAL
COORDINATE SYSTEMS). Similarly, the celestial poles move in circles on the celestial
sphere, so that at various times different stars occupy positions at or near one of these poles
(see POLARIS). After about 26,000 years the equinoxes and poles lie again at nearly the same
points on the celestial sphere. The gravitational influences of the other planets cause a much
smaller amount of precession [2].
2

2[2]The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from Columbia University Press.

Copyright © 1995 by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
 Astronomers also exhibit a great ignorance about astrology when they condemn it. They
say astrology is wrong because it employs the tropical system which is not astronomically
correct. Well, do not and should not they know that the East Indians, the Hindus, have used the
sidereal system for ages? Should not they have already known that, since it is also the root
source of their own present-day scientific astronomical knowledge? Carl Sagan has been on
television mocking astrology for this reason. In my own words, I encapsulate what he says:
‘The signs are no longer where they were in relation to our Earth, and astrologers still claim
that the Sun enters Aries on the 21st of April, therefore, astrology has no credibility.’ If
anything, this shows arrogant ignorance on the part of the astronomers who condemn it for this
reason.

The science you are about to study is based in Hindu astrology, though it is a vastly
evolved, refined and, in certain ways, a very expanded form of it. Now, why should we give
the Hindus any credit? Why should we say it is worth studying? Why not learn the
contemporary, more popular (in the West) tropical system? One very obvious and simple
reason for rejecting the tropical system is that it is not scientifically correct, the proof of which
has just been demonstrated and discussed. Now, the next question is, why should we give
credence to the Hindu system, aside from the very good reason that it is sidereal? Here are
some very good reasons, why.

These are the people who gave us the ‘Zero’. These very people gave us the ‘Decimal’,
which was ultimately introduced into Europe in c.1300. Can you imagine what the state of
mathematics, science and technology would have been in the world today without these two?
They are also the same people who knew, long, long before Copernicus and Kepler, that the
Earth was round, was bulging at its seams, and was revolving around the Sun, and that there
were fixed constellations. Not only that, but also that it wobbled on its axis, a phenomena
which though noted by Hipparchus much earlier, has only properly been explained in the West
by Sir Isaac Newton in 1687. The amazing thing is that the precessional values given by
modern day astronomy and those by the ancient Indian scholars are almost the same. They then
knew the rate of the precession, i.e., 50 odd seconds per year. These are a people who had the
cube root 5,000 years ago, who had a mathematical system 5,000 years ago known as Ganita-
Shastra or Vedic math, which, today scientists are discovering, can solve, by hand, nuclear
physics equations faster than a computer. It is so simple, yet so exact and ingenious. Sanskrit,
the ancient language of India is the most logically structured language in the world. In fact, its
rules are so rational that it is almost like a natural DOS and has been considered most apt or
suitable for computer programming. Sanskrit [3] is also the original basis of most European
3

3[3] Sanskrit (sàn´skrît), language belonging to the Indic group of the Indo-Iranian subfamily of the
Indo-European family of languages. Sanskrit was the classical standard language of ancient India, and
some of the oldest surviving Indo-European documents are written in Sanskrit. The oldest known stage
of Sanskrit is Vedic or Vedic Sanskrit, so called because it was the language of the VEDA, the most
ancient extant scriptures of HINDUISM[3].
[3]The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from Columbia University Press. Copyright ©
1995 by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
languages of today, as well as of Persian. So, obviously we are speaking of a culture, a people,
who had an exceptionally developed intelligence and consciousness and who not only had an
extremely sophisticated scientific understanding of the cosmos, but also possessed unique
knowledge and skill in numerous other sciences and arts.

Today there are Vedic math departments in a number of the leading universities in
England and America. I believe there is one in Cambridge or in Oxford, or, perhaps, even in
both these universities. I think, the same is true of at least one or more universities in USA.
They are now learning more about Vedic math, which has proved of value even in resolving
equations of nuclear physics. In one of the ancient Sanskrit texts translated by the great
German scholar, Max Muller, there is an instruction manual for piloting an aircraft. In fact, you
may have heard about the travelling salesman’s riddle? Did you hear about it? Do you know
what it is? It is a very interesting puzzle. It is a riddle which significantly affects the economics
of businesses, actually. Every company which transported goods or had travelling salespersons,
had to chart the shortest possible course covering all of the contacts or delivery points
involved. For example, if there were 10 people whom a salesperson had to see in 10 different
cities, what would be the shortest course from his starting point? Should he go here first and
then here and then here or here and then here and then here? [ vaguely indicates different points] What
would be the shortest route? For trucking companies who deliver goods, this is a great
dilemma. A minor miscalculation or slight change in the connections can result in thousands of
unnecessary extra miles. It means so much more petrol, so much more driving time, so much
more wear and tear, which can add up to millions of dollars for a large corporation. Now, I
mentioned only 10 cities, but many companies need to calculate routing for far greater
numbers. That calculation becomes very complex. The equation is very large. It goes into
millions of possible permutations of it. How to judge which is the shortest route?

They developed different computer programs to find the answer to this problem.
Despite years of research and effort by programming teams, it would sometimes take the
computer days to calculate the shortest possible path and, many times, it was not even the
correct answer. It was costing many companies a lot of money. Then, employing mathematical
formulas from the Vedic system, an Indian mathematician working for Bell, came up with a
method which made it possible to calculate these with great reliability within a few hours, even
by hand. A Philadelphia newspaper published an article on this. Incidentally, he received no
financial benefit from it because he was an employee.

So, these people had a wisdom and knowledge which apparently is being recognised
gradually over the course of time in many fields. They left a mark of excellence not just in one
or two, but in almost every field, including religion, philosophy, medicine, math, language,
literature, painting, handicrafts, dance, music, sculpture, architecture, astronomy and, of
course, astrology. This list is very far from exhaustive. The intelligence, diversity and
complexity of their minds, their knowledge, skill, subtlety and insight are manifestly visible in
the vast array of their monumental accomplishments. How did they arrive at such mastery in so
many areas? There is an oral tradition, backed by a number of authentic ancient surviving
scriptures, that the source of some, if not all, of these arts and sciences was divine. India has
produced many saints and sages who are believed to have received their inspiration and
knowledge directly from higher dimensions. You see, the entire creation exists within each
individual. The whole cosmos is within each of us - in deep meditation you can see it, know it.
All laws and principles and truths are knowable within.

Be that as it may, how it may have been received or developed is not our real concern
here. The fact is they possessed and left behind very advanced, very accurate knowledge in
many other scientific fields. Imagine that people were being burned at the stake in the 17 th
century for saying the world was round. And here we have 5,000 year old conceptions of such
sophistication about the cosmos and the spiritual laws behind it, that contemporary science is
yet far from grasping their full scope and significance. By this, I do not imply that the abilities
and gifts of this culture all belong to the past, or that since then it has had nothing new to offer.
Of course, the value of its past gifts is such that it cannot be diminished by time. Aside from
that, it has continued to manifest great sages, saints and masters throughout the past centuries,
and within the last and present century saints from the very highest spiritual dimension have
manifested there.

All this has not been said to ridicule or belittle anyone nor to extol my country, but with
the intent of presenting you with a true and fuller view of the origins of this science, to the
study of which you are about to devote years of your life. I felt that it was very important that
you should know more about the foundations of that into which you are about to invest so
much of your time and toil. I need not have mentioned many of the things I did, if they had
been easily available in Western literature, for then you would have been aware of them
already. However, very unfortunately, although some unbiased people have written about some
of these things, most standard Western books of reference, such as dictionaries and
encyclopaedias, omit any reference to the origins of such important things as the Zero and the
Decimal. In fact, in some instances, where such credit has been given, it has been assigned to
the wrong source with reference to root origins. Therefore, despite the efforts and contributions
of many special individuals and groups, a large number of the most important and valuable
facts and features of India remain unknown to the Western public at large. There may be some
who might say that my views are biased, to them my only reply will be that I have always
believed in the unity, equality and fraternity of all mankind, and have tried to appraise all
things in the impartial light of fact, truth and reason, so that my conclusions may only offer
what is best for the benefit of all. I leave all further judgements to your own deeper
investigation and experience with reference to all I say.

Student: You mentioned the oral tradition. Perhaps this was because in those days
everyone's memory was so good that there was not need to write.

Shri Mann: What I had meant was that we have received information concerning the
source of various Hindu sciences and arts through it. However, a number of the arts and
sciences were preserved chiefly through the oral tradition. They were handed down generation
after generation in verses, in couplets, because they are easy to memorise.

So, the sidereal system is the one we will be studying, which is very different from the
one which is popular here. Fortunately, Ms. G [ a student] here has been using the sidereal system
for a very long time.

There is still another major difference which distinguishes Hindu astrology from the
Western. There are some sidereal astrologers even in the West, and their numbers are growing.
However, most of them employ the Western interpretative techniques though they use the
sidereal zodiac, which means they do compensate for the precession of the equinoxes. The
principles of interpretation received or evolved by the Hindus are not used in the Western
system. The sidereal and tropical zodiacs differ in the astronomical sense, a matter we have
just discussed. Besides that, there are large differences between the interpretative techniques
and principles used by the Hindus and those employed in Western astrology, which is largely
based on the teachings of Ptolemy. Here we need not concern ourselves with Ptolemy or his
methods. Suffice it to say that the principles and techniques of Hindu astrology are very
different from them, though there are also some common aspects.

Our objective is the study of Hindu astrology in the new form my work has given it. I
have endeavoured to distil, refine and expand its principles, methods and techniques, and tried
to give greater, clearer and deeper definition to them. I have also added many new concepts,
principles and techniques, as well as greatly expanded its content relating to the significations
of numerous astrological factors as well as yogas, which can be defined as complex
combinations of astrological factors. Besides, I have added definitions and significations of
numerous new yogas. Since, in the totality of my work, Jyotish is selectively already
integrated, I will be teaching Jyotish and my own development of it as one integrated whole.
Except rarely or occasionally, no distinctions will be drawn between the two, chiefly because
of the nature of the integration of these. Firstly, There are so many refinements, modifications
and additions to many, if not most, of those elements which were drawn from Jyotish, that they
cannot be easily isolated and enumerated. Secondly, the additions in terms of principles,
techniques, methods and yogas, are interspersed and interwoven through the total content or
body of this new form. If and when you choose to deeply study the traditional form of Jyotish,
you will yourself quickly and increasingly begin becoming aware of the magnitude of the
differences, as well as of the complexity of clearly or entirely separating the two.

So, as I have said, our objective is the study of Hindu astrology or Jyotish in this its new
form. Toward that end, we will begin our work in earnest from the next session. I should say a
few things about what we shall be doing in future. Today, of course, was an introduction to the
philosophy and background of the subject we are going to study. I had mentioned that we have
the 12 houses, the 12 signs and ‘the 12 planets’ [4]. We will study them in these groups. Many
4

of you may feel that you have a basic knowledge of the planets, the signs and the houses. Yet,
4[4] The
quotes around ‘the 12 planets’ is because all of them are not actually planets in the
astronomical sense.
the way we will be defining and describing these elements of astrology is substantially
different in very many ways from any of the pre-existing or conventional definitions, whether
in the Hindu or the Western system.

[End of Tape 1, Side 2; Beginning of Tape 2, Side 1]

Shri Mann: Tape 2, Side 1, Session 1, Course A-4, and the date today is the 21 st of
April 1990. We were talking about the elements we will be studying. If you do have a
background in planets, signs and houses, it may be useful, but it is not necessary. What we are
going to do here will be different in the sense that we will be building a logical structure with
regard to the representations of these elements. As far as I know, the complete logic of the
horoscope has never been presented before in books or in lectures anywhere. Besides that,
much of the information I will be giving you and many of the principles I will be teaching are
not to be found in any book anywhere. We will establish why the different astrological
elements represent the different things they do, and their inter-relationships on the logical
plane. Thus, you will be able to employ these principles to further add to their representations
through a process of rational connections. When you understand the logical framework behind
the significations of any planet, sign or house, it should enable you to make many connections
and associations which would not be possible otherwise. You will then be able to extrapolate
from them and arrive at more significations or applications, and be able to adjust your
perspective of any horoscope with greater ease and speed. For example, you will be able to
define and deal with a matter that is not mentioned anywhere, is not part of any nomenclature
or list. If we start making lists, there might be 20,000 items which could fall under a particular
astro-factor. You cannot remember them all. However, if you know the logical network, the
rationale behind the representations of the different astro-factors, you can look at anything or
any situation or circumstance and see what should govern it, and other astro-factors which may
influence it.

One of the things we will attempt to do is to actually create personality portraits of signs
and planets. Portraits which you can remember. I will endeavour to make the signs and planets
as personal to you as possible, so you will see them literally as people. So, when you think of
Mercury you will recall a memorable personality, a well known friend. By presenting you with
these portraits and through defining the logical character of the different astro-factors, I hope to
impart to you such a conception of each one that it enables you to develop your own extensions
of its significations, quite apart from all that I teach you in the course of our studies. You
should be able to form further logical extensions of these personalities, their other likely traits,
qualities, and representations. You should be able to go on extending your understanding and
apply it in different situations. Thus, you will be able to form connections even in the most
obscure matters. So, this, too, will be a very different part of it.

There is a life to the planets, signs and houses - a life in terms of the dynamic
reshuffling of representations as a result of a change in their inter-relationships. The whole
astrological mechanism is always reflecting itself in a mutated expression of each of its
components. Whenever the total picture changes, each part of it suggests a different meaning.
On the other hand, a change in any component modifies the entire picture. This intricate,
dynamic inter-connectivity and mutability of the astrological apparatus conveys a sense of an
awesome intelligence in its design and function.

In view of what I have just described, it is obvious that the pursuit of this science is not
for the simple-minded. Only a mind capable of grasping the truth in myth, of seeing the whole
in the part, and the circle in the dot, can hope to achieve a degree of mastery. This does not
mean that one has to be a genius to undertake this study. What is essential, however, is a keen,
healthy, and wholesome mind, but above all, an open and unbiased one.

There are thousands of books on astrology, on every kind of astrology, ancient or

modern, eastern or western. There are many schools and colleges, seminars and workshops and
correspondence courses which impart instruction in astrology. It is to be hoped that the purport
of all these books and instructors is to convey the truth. In the face of all this, I wish to impress
upon you the uniqueness of what we are doing here. Those of you who persist with our studies
here will witness the unveiling of a knowledge which in its entirety is the harbinger of a new
platform for this science. I say this to you now in the hope that this incentive will be enough to
induce you to persevere. That perseverance will not only be of much service to your own
selves but also to the furtherance of this science, which can be of inestimable benefit to all. My
knowing all that I have been given to know is of very limited utility unless this knowledge can
be made generally and widely available. Its applications are so numerous that at this time we
may not conceive of all the beneficial practical uses it can be put to. I can only say at this stage
that the full value, meaning and significance of this body of knowledge will become
increasingly apparent to you the further you progress.

In the sessions to follow, we will first discuss the signs and then the houses and then the
planets. After that we will learn the principles of interpretation, and the Dasha system, which is
a timing mechanism which allows us to time events or periods when specific influences will be
at work. It indicates the nature of the influences which will be at play during different times of
life and what kind of events can be expected during them. It is a very precise system of timing.
Then we shall learn about some important subdivisions of the horoscope and how they apply,
because there are different charts which can be created from the natal horoscope which more
specifically reflect different areas of a person's life, and also offer refinements to those
indicated by the larger divisions of the horoscope. These relate to profession, marriage,
children, parents, grandparents, and so on. They are refinements of the indications given by the
basic elements of the chart. We shall learn something about them and their applications. Then
we shall move into synthesis, the methods of pulling it all together.

I think that by the end of this course you will have most of the fundamentals in place. In
other words, the foundations of your understanding of this form of astrology should essentially
be in place. However, there will remain many levels of knowledge beyond that. Over the
decades of my own work and research in it, so much has been added, qualified and refined that
it is a much larger science now than ever before. I am telling you this so as to better prepare
you for the task ahead. What we have at hand is so vast, so extensive, that it not only allows
you to reach for many higher ceilings of knowledge in its general application, but it also opens
up into numerous specialities.

There are broadly three distinct fields of astrology. First, of course, we have natal
astrology which is the birth chart or horoscope of a human or other living entity. Then there is
horary astrology, which relates to questions. The word ‘horary’ comes from the Latin ‘hora’,
which comes from the Greek ‘hōrā’, which originates rather obviously in hora, the word for
‘hour’ in Sanskrit. In fact, horary astrology is called Hora-Shastra in India. It addresses
thoughts or queries which arise in the someone’s mind. A horoscope is cast for the place and
the moment a query is asked, which indicates its outcome. The query may relate to something
concerning the past or the future. The horoscope of that select moment of thinking and asking
it, gives an insight into the queried matter. A really good astrologer, applying the correct
principles, may even tell you what your question is, as opposed to simply answering your
question. By that I mean he or she may be able to tell you what the question pertains to.

Then there is mundane astrology which deals with nations, corporations, mundane
events. For example, when I projected the assassination of President Sādāt, it was based on the
horoscope of Egypt, whereas that of Indira Gandhi was projected from her natal chart. Events
and conditions relating to a nation’s leadership are a part of mundane astrology. From it you
can project economic conditions, probabilities in terms of disasters, changes in government,
and things of that nature. Whether we are concerned with corporations or with countries or
anything else which is a nonliving entity, we will apply mundane astrology. These are the three
basic subdivisions of astrology.

Within these three large subdivisions there are many and can be many more specialities.
Health is just one of them. Some of the broader areas of special study are occupation, romance,
marriage, partnerships, personality and character, finances, investments, and more. Within
investments you could specialise in your knowledge of speculative investments, stock market,
race track, real estate, etc. These are subspecialties of investment. Then there is criminology,
the astrological study of crime and criminals. You could specialise in the area of health. Within
health you have many, many subspecialties. You could apply yourself purely to the
psychological aspect, to mental health. You could focus on physiological problems. You could
specialise within that in gynaecological problems or in cancer, for example. It is within the
scope of astrology to indicate which form of cancer is more probable, and where and when.
Many of these conditions can be prevented or modified if recognised early enough. In most
cases schizophrenia can be prevented if the probability is identified in childhood and the
necessary steps are taken. But all these specialisations are only possible after a thorough
grounding in natal astrology. This level will take us, as I said, through the fundamentals, but it
should be sufficient to enable you to look at natal horoscopes and often form quite specific, or
at least general judgements about them which are basically sound. Of course, there is a great
deal beyond that and many higher levels of learning, which, whosoever wishes to pursue, I will
welcome, encourage and assist.

I should not close this without responding to your questions, if there are any.

Student: When you are dealing with a corporation do you need the date and time when
the company was started?

Shri Mann: Yes. And also the place where it was incorporated.

Student: Or when a nation was created?

Shri Mann: Yes. Nations also have their own geographic ascendants. If you do not have
their date and time of creation, you can use the geographic ascendant - or the ascendant
indicated by the character and history of the nation.

Student: What happens if you cannot get a consensus on the actual ascendant?

Shri Mann: Your experience. Once you know the principles, all you have to do is to
apply them and see if that ascendant reflects the true nature of the past and present history and
conditions of that nation. You see, rectification is another thing which you will learn about in
the course of our work. What can be a good test of astrology? It is this. If we are given the
birth day of a person and his or her life history, then we should be able to pinpoint the time of
birth, or at least select the correct ascendant. In fact, that is what the students have done on
level ‘D’ of the previous course. They have repeatedly been able to find the correct ascendants
which I had not revealed to them. Almost unfailingly they have pinpointed the actual
ascendant, which means the right time-slot of birth was established. So, your question is really
referring to the means and methods of rectification. In the same manner, if there was any
confusion, you should be able to rectify the horoscope of a nation and identify the right
ascendant. Yes, any other questions please.

Student: I have lots of questions but I am afraid I just cannot formulate them now.

Shri Mann: Ask them at any time. It is always open. Whenever any one of you have
any questions, all you have to do is ask.

Student: I have one question. The precession of the equinoxes is that considered the
same as the Yugas [5]?
5

Shri Mann: No, Yugas are different. They are time segments based on a completely
different concept. This chronology has nothing to do with the precession of the equinoxes - at
least not in a direct sense. Perhaps, I will address these matters more thoroughly at some later
5[5] Yugas
are the four ages of the world as defined in Hindu scriptures. These are: Sata-Yuga, Treta-
Yuga, Dwapar-Yuga and Kala-Yuga. It is currently Kala-Yuga.
date.

Student: What was the amount of time that you said the precession takes to complete
one circle?

Shri Mann: 25,800 years, and it goes backward through one sign in about 2,166 years.
That is how the Ages, such as the Age of Aquarius, come about.

Student: When is it supposed to change signs?

Student: When do we go into Aquarius?

Shri Mann: Well, at the moment we are approximately 24 degrees in Pisces. Very
roughly, we have about six more degrees to go before we actually touch Aquarius.

In terms of time, if we use Lahiri’s precessional value, from this year, i.e., 1990, there
remain 448 odd years to the actual beginning of the Age of Aquarius. Depending on the
precessional value employed, the estimation of this period varies considerably. [6]6

The bounds of the eighty-eight constellations which were recognized in astronomy were
formally defined in 1929 by the International Astronomical Union. The boundary which it
marked between Pisces and Aquarius, times the start of the Aquarian Age approximately in the
year 2600 A.D. According to Lahiri’s ayanamsa, the Sanskrit name for the precessional value,
the Age of Aquarius begins on the 1 st of June, 2,438 A.D. To be even more precise, it dawns at
4:15 A.M., Indian Standard Time, using the latitude and longitude of Agra, 27N11, 78E01. The
difference between this and those of others ranges from 200 years to 248 years. In other words,
according to one estimate, it is as far away as the year 2,680 A.D.

From all this, it should be obvious that the importance of establishing the correct
precessional value is paramount. In India, the majority of astrologers consider Lahiri’s
ayanamsa correct or at least very close to the right value.

Student: Till we get there? Well, we will not be here. In this lifetime we will not see it.

Shri Mann: No, certainly not in these physical bodies.

Student: But there is still all this talk about the Age of Aquarius even though we are not
there yet.

Shri Mann: No, we are not there yet, however, it is potentially something for mankind
6[6] Theseare some of the years calculated by different persons for the commencement of the Age of
Aquarius: 1. Elsa M. Glover > 2,638 A.D. 2. Max Heindel > 2,654 A.D. 3. Shepherd Simpson > 2,680
A.D.
to look forward to – but only if it learns all the lessons of Pisces.

Student: You are saying we have not entered the Age of Aquarius?

Shri Mann: Not only have we not, but shall not for at least roughly another four
centuries. We are presently in ‘the Age of Pseudo-Aquarius’, and if we keep ‘progressing’ the
way we are, we shall soon be ‘pseudo-humans.’ [smiles].

Student: Well, why are all the tropical astrologers talking about this as the Age of
Aquarius?

Shri Mann: You should ask them. What I find even more interesting is how the tropical
astrologers account for this contradiction? How do these ages come about if there is no
precession of the equinoxes? In the same breath they talk about the ages, the New Age, and
also reject the precession as pertinent to the astrological Zodiac. This is, indeed, a great puzzle.
But, it is changing as tropical astrologers and people in general are becoming more informed. It
may not be very long before the tropical system becomes what we may call an artefact of
astrology.

Student: When do you think that will happen? How many more years down the road?

Shri Mann: I do not see that as being very far away. I think this closing decade of the
20 century should impart enormous momentum to the process of this change. Perhaps, with
th

the advent of the 21st century, a noticeable shift will begin to occur among the Western
astrologers and before the first decade of the next century is over, we should have come a long
way.

[Class discussion about computers and astrological report printouts]

Shri Mann: There are many computer programs which print astrological reports. Most
of them serve no real purpose. They do not say anything except in very general terms. Even
though they are based on the individual chart, they are still very generic in actuality. Another
issue which is worth mentioning is that the Western system has basically focused on and
applied itself to psychological insight and analysis, not to the event-structure of human life.
Hindu astrology deals with events of all kinds in all major areas of human existence, from
disease to death, romances to divorces, etc.

However, I should add that even Jyotish, Hindu astrology has its own kinds of varied
problems, which are the very reasons for my endeavour in this field. In fact, the more familiar
or expert a person is in that study, the more deeply will he or she recognize and appreciate
what our present study presents. At some future time, perhaps long after this course is over, I
will not only attempt to properly and fully define the problems of Jyotish which I have alluded
to, but also explain the ways in which this work resolves them.
 Student: have I understood you correctly if I say that tropical astrology is the one which
deals with the 21st to the 21st entry dates into signs for the Sun? That in the Western world they
are basing their charts on this particular type of cycle rather than the sidereal cycle?

Shri Mann: That is right, and that is why there is so much criticism, so much justified
condemnation from the scientific circles. Actually, it has been one of the major obstacles to the
acceptance of astrology as a science in the West.

Student: [To other students] Have you ever seen Carl Sagan? That is precisely what he is
telling people on TV. He says that astrology is a meaningless science because the
constellations in the heavens are not where they say they are, and he is right. But he has never
bothered to take it one step farther and investigate if there are systems of astrology which are
sidereal.

Shri Mann: If I were him, as an astronomer I would have an interest in all things
relating to astronomy. Astrology is astronomy-based. I would have liked to know something
about it, if not study it, simply because it was related to my own work. I would have visited a
library, if I did not want to spend on a book, and would have at least read something about it.
Actually, I find it quite amazing that such a well known astronomer has no inkling that a
sidereal system of astrology has existed for such a long time. Soon enough, all astrologers will
have to make up their mind and settle on one common zodiac - since both cannot be right and,
therefore, one of them is certainly wrong. The only question is if the one which always keeps
the fixed constellations as its reference is the right one, or the one which has no cosmic
reference at all?

Student: I spent 20 years as a navigator. We used such things as the first point of Aries,
but I never knew how it applied to astrology.

Shri Mann: Navigation is based in the sidereal zodiac. The naval and airforce
computations are all sidereal. The space exploration projects and their calculations are all
sidereal. In so many words, the science of astronomy is essentially a sidereal science. Sidereal
means: pertaining to or concerned with the stars or constellations. The only real reference of
planetary motions and positions is the fixed backdrop of the constellations, the stars.
Unfortunately, these things are not common or public knowledge and sadly, as a result,
millions of people believe they have an ascendant or Sun sign which is not really theirs. The
real problem has been a lack of information in this area. The established tropical astrological
magazines and organisations are not prepared to admit they have been wrong all this time, so
we cannot expect the change to come from their direction. Most astronomers condemn all
astrology indiscriminately. So, the truth receives very little publicity. In fact, many tropical
astrologers are not fully aware of the astronomic basis of what they are doing. However, this is
gradually changing with time and people are becoming more aware of the astronomic facts and
that all the scientific institutions, all the government organisations, use the sidereal system.
That is the system we will be employing in our work here. You will see how it applies to the
chart itself, and observe how dramatically different and revealing the same horoscope becomes
when converted from the tropical to the sidereal mode. We will be doing some comparisons,
but only after we understand the basic principles. We shall be working with horoscopes which
are calculated in both modes, tropical as well as sidereal, and see how it has a complete
reflection of the life in the sidereal system, while it only shows glimmerings here and there in
the tropical. We will be doing this in due course.

It is getting late for all of you, and I think we are getting close to the end of our time for
this session. What is the time now?

Student: Five to midnight.

Shri Mann: Then we have five more minutes. Those from the other courses know well
that as long as people will stay to learn I will stay to teach.

Student: Are we going to meet at 6:00 P.M., next week?

Shri Mann: Well, let us have a consensus. Is it alright for all of you?

Student: We will see if it works, if everyone makes it.

Student: So let us aim for 6:00 P.M.

Student: If everyone comes at 5:00, I will bring a mango cheesecake. Egg-less.

Shri Mann: Vegetarian. That is an excellent incentive.

Student: With a walnut crust.

Shri Mann: Oh, added incentive. [Shri Mann checks to see whether that time is okay for other students]
So 6:00 it is for our next session and if it works for everyone, we will keep that time. I again
thank you all for being here and for your attentiveness. We will continue our discussion at our
next session. I shall see you all next Saturday. Goodnight.

~~~~~End of excerpt~~~~~

[End of class session]

7
[1]

7
The original authorship of the Serenity Prayer has remained uncertain, though it has been attributed to
a number of sources, from very recent to much earlier times as far back as the English Pagans. The
original concepts, not the popular variations of words, within this prayer are to be found in the writings
of Boethius, the Roman philosopher.
8
[2]The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from Columbia University Press. Copyright
© 1995 by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
9
[3] Sanskrit (sàn´skrît), language belonging to the Indic group of the Indo-Iranian subfamily of the
Indo-European family of languages. Sanskrit was the classical standard language of ancient India, and
some of the oldest surviving Indo-European documents are written in Sanskrit. The oldest known stage
of Sanskrit is Vedic or Vedic Sanskrit, so called because it was the language of the VEDA, the most
ancient extant scriptures of HINDUISM[3].
[3]The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from Columbia University Press. Copyright © 1995
by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
10
[4] The quotes around ‘the 12 planets’ is because all of them are not actually planets in the
astronomical sense.
11
[5] Yugas are the four ages of the world as defined in Hindu scriptures. These are: Sata-Yuga, Treta-
Yuga, Dwapar-Yuga and Kala-Yuga. It is currently Kala-Yuga.
12
[6] These are some of the years calculated by different persons for the commencement of the Age of
Aquarius: 1. Elsa M. Glover > 2,638 A.D. 2. Max Heindel > 2,654 A.D. 3. Shepherd Simpson > 2,680
A.D.

8
9
10
11
12