I am really passionate about astrology, right from my childhood and wish to pursue it by joining a course. However, I have heard that holy saints disapprove of astrology. In such a situation, what should I do? Should I professionally Learn Jyothisham anyway? If my respected holy saints disapprove of astrology, saying that one should not believe in it, and one should not follow it at all, shall I still learn astrology?
Dear Nidhi,
From the perspectives of Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda, Jyothisham, or Vedic astrology, is considered an ancient and sacred science. Swami Kriyananda even authored a book titled Your Sun Sign As a Spiritual Guide on this very topic.
Yogananda beautifully describes astrology in his Autobiography of a Yogi, particularly in the chapter “Outwitting the Stars”. You would likely find great inspiration in reading it. His guru, Sri Yukteswar, was also a highly respected astrologer, as was Adi Shankaracharya.
The crucial point lies in how one chooses to utilize astrology. If you aim to use it as a guiding tool to assist individuals in understanding and overcoming their karma, it becomes a truly divine calling. However, if astrology is employed deterministically, to declare, based solely on a person’s horoscope, “this is your fixed destiny, unchangeable,” then it’s understandable why holy saints might express reservations.
Yogananda clarifies this perspective in his Autobiography: “The starry inscription at one’s birth, I came to understand, is not that man is a puppet of his past. Its message is rather a prod to pride; the very heavens seek to arouse man’s determination to be free from every limitation.”
Therefore, the answer is yes, wholeheartedly pursue your passion to learn Jyothisham. Align yourself with the great spiritual masters who have championed Vedic astrology, or Jyotisha. Allow your deep interest to flourish in a wise and spiritually enlightened manner.
To become a proficient astrologer, cultivate a practice of meditation. Meditation is key to developing your intuition, a vital asset in this field. Sri Yukteswar wisely stated: “The natal chart can be rightly interpreted only by men of intuitive wisdom: these are few.”
Wishing you all the best in your journey with the stars and planets.
Jayadev
