Karma, Astrology and Advaita

[Sudarshang]

Friends,

Students of astrologly need to understand the concept/theory of Karma thoroughly as "Astrology helps us become aware of ourselves - both our strengths and weaknesses, or our positive and negative karma. Our astrology chart is literally a map of our karma and reveals our journey through time. Armed with the knowledge of astrology we can make constructive changes that modify our karma. We created our karma by our past thoughts and actions, and therefore we can 'uncreate it.' " (Quoting from Vaughn Paul Manley)

According to some sources, many Advaitins consider Karma a "necessary fiction". According to these sources, advaitins maintain that Karma cannot be proven to exist through any of the Pramāṇas (with the exception of Āgama, though this is contradicted, subtrated, by the Pramāṇas such as Anumāna, Upamāna, or Arthāpatti); However, it is merely to encourage students to strive towards Vidyā (spiritual knowledge) and combat Avidyā (ignorance), the idea of Karma is maintained. ("vidya" refers to knowledge about Brahman)

Advaitins believe that suffering is due to Maya (not Karma), and only knowledge (called Jnana) of Brahman can destroy Maya. When Maya is removed, they believe, there exists ultimately no difference between the Jiva-Atman and the Brahman. Such a state of bliss when achieved while living is called Jivanmukta. Again, advaitins believe that while Vedic sacrifices, puja and devotional worship (forms of karma) can lead one in the direction of jnana (true knowledge) they cannot lead one directly to moksha.

If Karma cannot lead one to moksha directly, and if advaitins believe karma to be a "necessary fiction", so should their belief in astrology be - a "necessary fiction"?

Please correct me if I am wrong for my knowledge in advaita is limited. My question is, given its views on karma, are advaita and astrology compatible? Does it make sense for a true advaiti to believe in astrology?

[kandhan]

Sudarshan ji

belief exists only in mind and "true advaiti" ( i am assuming you are referring to a realised one) has no use for mind. and for a practicing advaitin the aim to unshackle from the grip of mind. its like the wheels of a cart. even after being unshackled it will keep rolling till momentum(praarbdha karma) is lost.

and for a "true bhakta" also astrology is of no use because he/she has completely surrendered.

[krishnagopal1968]

Kandhan Ji,

These kind of topics Karma and Astrology generally miss astrology, except for name’s sake! Many just want to assert whatever they feel right and quote sastric evidence but not astrological evidence or combinations

Let me depart from that and share with you the following which is gathered from astrological sources.

1. Rasi chart is the one showing ‘Sanchita Karmas”
2. Navamsa chart shows the Prarabdha karma of this birth.
3. Fixed signs in amsa show dhridha karma which can’t be changed, but with great efforts.
4. Dual signs in amsa show dhridha adridha karma which can be changed with effort.
5. Movable signs in amsa show adridha karma which can be changed with little effort.

Now lifting the amsa chart and placing it in rasi chart, retaining the rasi lagna (rasi tula navamsa method ) let us examine the prarabhda.

I have gathered a lot of information about karma, thro this method instead of any Advaita, Visishtatvaida, Dvaita discussions

[kandhan]

1. Rasi chart is the one showing ‘Sanchita Karmas”
2. Navamsa chart shows the Prarabdha karma of this birth.
3. Fixed signs in amsa show dhridha karma which can’t be changed, but with great efforts.
4. Dual signs in amsa show dhridha adridha karma which can be changed with effort.
5. Movable signs in amsa show adridha karma which can be changed with little effort.

Now lifting the amsa chart and placing it in rasi chart, retaining the rasi lagna (rasi tula navamsa method ) let us examine the prarabhda.

Krishna ji

Karmic astrology is a fascinating topic. What you have said is new to me. Especially the link between Sanchita-D-1 and and Prarbdha-D9. I was under the impression that D-1 represents the sum total prarabdha of this janma and that 1-4-7-10 are the pivots for manifestation of the prarbdha karmas.

I request you to explain this method in the following chart. I am posting the snapshot of chart of uncle of my friend. Would appreciate if you could explain the method in this chart. The person is still alive.

[krishnagopal1968]

Kandhan ji,

I am not getting the chart. pl post birth details.

But my humble view is, it is better to see our own charts for deciphering karma. It is not good to enter into other's karma. Analysing other's karma is little complicated as here not only charts, other factors like birth marks are needed.

PM is better if we want to proceed on this!

[Sudarshang]

1. Rasi chart is the one showing ‘Sanchita Karmas”
2. Navamsa chart shows the Prarabdha karma of this birth.
3. Fixed signs in amsa show dhridha karma which can’t be changed, but with great efforts.
4. Dual signs in amsa show dhridha adridha karma which can be changed with effort.
5. Movable signs in amsa show adridha karma which can be changed with little effort.

Now lifting the amsa chart and placing it in rasi chart, retaining the rasi lagna (rasi tula navamsa method ) let us examine the prarabhda.

Krishna ji

Karmic astrology is a fascinating topic. What you have said is new to me. Especially the link between Sanchita-D-1 and and Prarbdha-D9. I was under the impression that D-1 represents the sum total prarabdha of this janma and that 1-4-7-10 are the pivots for manifestation of the prarbdha karmas.

I request you to explain this method in the following chart. I am posting the snapshot of chart of uncle of my friend. Would appreciate if you could explain the method in this chart. The person is still alive.

Krishna-ji

Very interesting! I have heard about a slightly different variation of this, and would would value your thoughts on it:

The variation is that the Rasi chart represents Prarabdha Karma and the Navamsa represents Kriyamana karma.

It is also said, that since the sanchita karma is the whole entire baggage and is as timeless as the Jeevatma itself, it cannot be contained in 12 squares. Therefore the reasoning is that the scope of the horoscope charts cover only the prarabdha karma that we are born with to experience in this life, and the karma that we acquire in this life. The Navamsa is therefore important to determine whether one is going to exhaust his/her prarabdha in this life or going to leave having acquired more. This aligns with the logic one's life ends as soon as one's prarabdha for this life has completed - which does not mean the person acquires moksha but is going come back with another part of his/her sanchita.

[krishnagopal1968]

Sudharshang ji,

If Sanchita karma can't be contained into 12 squares, then neither agami karma or prarabhdha contain it!

Just see this logic, Major events don't happen every day. even out of 365 days a year, only some days some event happens. but our charts decribes the basic pattern, a blue print or a programme!

now let us leave these theories and pl post some charts, and then we discuss the karmic programmes!

[krishnagopal1968]

Mahesh Ji,

can we post some charts, then proceed for discussions on karma?

[Luckygirl]

This is a very interesting topic.
My guru says Prarabda karma is of 2 types.
Durbalam and Prabalam.
The durbala karmas are weak ones and can be altered or completely wiped out with prayer and freewill.
The prabalam ones are strong and cannot be erased. Prayers and pariharam can provide us the mental strength to withstand it.