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Brahmins' favorite planets Interview with Anand Bihari, Vedic astrologer (Jyotirvid) Questions: Ilya Zhuravlev
Question: Could you tell about yourself, where are you from, where did you study jyotish (Vedic astrology)? Anand: My name is Anand Bihari, this is my spiritual name, I'm a brahmin, I belong to Nimbarka Sampradaya, was born in Badrinath (the Himalayas). Astrology is our family tradition, when I was five my father, a hereditary astrologer, had started to teach me. Six generations of our family are dealing with jyotish. When I grew up I continued styding in Rishikesh, Haridvar and then in Varanasi. In Varanasi I was studying vyakarna (sanskrit grammar and sacred texts) - our main subject, and astrology, because brahmin's work involves conducting Vedic rituals, and according to Hindu tradition they are also connected with astrology. I've graduated Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya (Sanskrit University) in Varanasi and got Shastri degree at first and then Acharya degree. In general I was studying sanskrit and astrology for seventeen years. At the moment I finalise my thesis for a Doctor's degree in sanskit, in India this degree is called Vidvan. Probably in three years I will write doctoral thesis in astrology. But everything began in childhood - I was well in calculations and predictions - so I have quite long relations with planets. And now they help me, especially Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. These are brahmin's favorite planets (laughing). (In most cases these exactly planets have negative influence on horoscope and in order to harmonise them Vedic rituals are usually taking place - I.Zh). What principles Vedic astrology is based on, how it differs from Western astrology? The main difference is that calculations in Vedic astrology are based on the Moon's position, and Western are based on the Sun's position. The Moon changes its position every two and a half days, the Sun changes Zodiac sign once in a month. Vedic system is more detailed and exact in predictions. In Westren astronomy there are also nine planets, instead of Rahu and Ketu they have Pluto and Neptune. But it is not the same. Rahu and Ketu move on both sides of the Moon, they are not as distant as Pluto, Neptune or Uranus. These plantes have no physical analogues, they are like shadows. They can shape any form getting into other planets. When the Moon passes around the Sun and goes through Rahu's position we have Lunar eclipse and Solar eclipse when it goes through Ketu's position. They have different effect depending on the planet they influence on, what "house" they are in, speaking the language of the astrological chart. If one of them is in good position, the other will always be in bad, they are oppositionists. The legend of their origin is as follows. Once there lived a demon called Svarbhanu, who carried out a very strong tapasya (austerity) and gained favor from Lord Brahma, creator of the Universe, who granted him the status of a planet. Later on there was a war between gods and demons, gods were routed in the war and they went to Brahma to seek his help. Lord Brahma told them to churn the ocean. As a result they would be able to obtain Amrit (nectar which makes immortal and all powerful) and they would be able to win the war. But the ocean was too big and so gods sought the help of demons. Churning the ocean they got a lot of magical gifts. The god of Ayurveda and physician of the gods, Dhanvantari, appeared out of the ocean with a pot (Kumbha) full of nectar of immortality. There was a mad scramble for it among gods and demons. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini (a beautiful heavenly dancer) and suggested to share the nectar equally to both the gods and the demons. She made both of them sit in two different rows and started to pour nectar. Demons were so impressed by Mohini's beauty that they did not notice that the dancer gives real nectar to gods only. But demon Svarbhanu understood this and sat between the Moon and the Sun. The Moon and the Sun have noticed him but he was in time to make a sip of the nectar. Lord Vishnu came in his real form and cut off demon's head with a throwing wheel - Sudarshan Chakra. Svarbhanu's neck was separated from the body, but he did not die as he had drunk the nectar. His head joined with snake's body and became Rahu planet, the rest of the body joined with a snake's head and became Ketu planet. Ever since then, Rahu and Ketu are hell bent on taking revenge from Sun and Moon by causing Solar and Lunar eclipse. Rahu is a dry planet having qualities of Tamas Guna. It is associated with snakes, high mountains, woods, oils and exchange. Rahu's activity at lower level is connected with criminal world, cruelty, illegal activities, gambling games and pornography. Fears, intoxications, insanity as well as black magic and diseases like eczema, paralysis, canser and asthma are under it's influence. At higher level Rahu is connected with positive occult practicies, sensitivity to astral dimentions, mystic abilities, unexpected fortune, psychology and psychotherapy, pharmacy and photography. In horoscope Rahu appoints to spheres that are to be developed during life period. Ketu is an awful planet, it also has Tamas characteristics. It is assosiated with snakes, tantra, occult practices, surgery, hard labour, problems with the law and advocates. At lower level it represents the world of mafia, espionage, disasters, injuring, skandals, intoxications, infections, homelessness, intrigues, bankruptcy, marginal society, insanity. At higher level Ketu symbolises Moksha - total liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth, yoga practice, surrender, understanding real nature of things, Power places, philosophic and literary talents. Ketu is also a karmic planet, in horoscope it shows at strong affections, weak points, connection with previous incarnations. Why is your astrology called Vedic, what are the sacred texts, how ancient is this science? Jyotish existed even in Satya Yuga. In Hindu tradition there are ten main Rishis (sages) - Bhrigu, Narada, Pulastya , Angira, Parashara and others. They all knew astrology. Shukracharya, the guru of demons, was a very good astrologer. Rishi Bhrigu wrote a famous astrological treatise "Lal Kitab", and also described astrology in "Bhrigu Samhita". It is called Vedic because it belongs to sciences described in the Vedas. But the father of present jyotish is Rishi Parashara who described in detail and formulated this knowledge in Kali Yuga. His main work is "Bhirat Parashara Hora". Sage Parashara was father of Rishi Vyasa, who wrote down Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita in particular. According to Hindu sources it happened five-six thousand years ago. The name of this science can be translated as "knowledge, casting light on dark sides of our life". It's like a torch in your hand when you go through dark places. Is it possible to change what was predicted in a horoscope, to improve negative situation? Since jyotish
is Vedic knowledge it means that you can ask the most high powers for help and
you may get it if you know the language for praying. There is a chance to
improve even the most negative situation. For example, there are cases when
doctors are unable to help cancer patients, and they recover with the help of
yoga and ayurveda. Even if one of the planets is in negative position for a
certain person and there is no sense to read the planet's mantra - a good
astrologer knows how to get assistance from the other planet. One negative
planet alone can not take out one's life, but if all nine planets are in
negative position, the person will die. And if at least one planet is in good
position there is a chance to improve something. And there is no sense to argue,
to carry on intellectual disputes, practice proves it when a concrete person
gets into a concrete negative situation. And then it is not a matter of argues
and disputes, whether you accept certain ideas or not, but it is a matter of
practice. There are traditional methods of improving situations - yagya (fire
ceremony), anushthana (sacrifice), upasana (worshiping) - chanting special
mantras, each planet has it's own, these mantras are described in the Vedas. "Kalsarpa
yoga" is a negative position of planets that happens in horoscope. In astrology
"yoga" is a certain position of planets. There are 280 kinds of Kalsarpa yoga
only, but only twelve of them are the most powerful, because there are twelve
"houses". This position brings bad luck in many undertakings or difficulties and
obstacles in achieving results. Kalsarpa yoga is characterised by all seven
planets hemmed between Rahu and Ketu. Literary translation of Kalsarpa yoga is
"a snake of time".
How are stones conneceted with planets? Natural stones show characteristics connected with characteristics of influencing planets. Jyotish describes what gemstones correspond each planet. The Sun is the first planet. Ruby, "manak" in sanskrit, is it's stone. The Moon requires pearls or moonstone, in India it is called "chandrakant mani". Mars is associated with "moonga" - red coral. A lot depends on house the planet is situated in. If Mars is strong, if it is in the same house with the Moon then white coral should be used. Besides it is recommended against allergy, skin problems or blood infections. The forth planet is Rahu. It's stones are garnet and hessonite (known in India as "gomed"). They look alike but gomeds are darker red. For stronger effect they are placed into a ring made of five metals: gold, silver, copper, iron and zinc, this is an ancient method. A yellow stone corresponds to Jupiter, planet that symbolises Guru. In the Vedas this gemstone is described as "pukraj" - it may be yellow sapphire or yellow topaz. Saturn's gemstone is "neelam" - blue sapphire or topaz. You should not wear it if it is not recommended by your horoscope, it can bring bad luck. "Panna" or emerald are for Mercury. Cat's eye or "vedurya mani" in sanskrit is for Ketu. Diamond - "hira" is the gem of Venus. You can wear stones during the whole life or during the periods of a certain planet's influence. What finger to wear this or that stone, to wear it on the chest or in the other way, what metal fits the stone - all these details are precisely described in jyotish. Astrological stone should be in contact with the skin, this principle is not followed by Western jewelry producers but it is a rule in traditional Hindu jewelry. On a special day of the week a special consecration ritual - prana pratishtha - is taking place: brahmin draws yantra, puts a gemstone in the middle of it, chants mantra of the corresponding planet (the owner of this gemstone chants it as well), "purifies" the gem by placing it in various substances - milk, water, honey, ghee etc. The Vedas say this ritual can be conducted by a brahmin only not a jewelry seller or producer. In some cases the owner of a stone can meditate and chant mantra himself. The purier and bigger a stone the greater it's power. A stone should be natural. Nowdays "heated" topazes are quite popular, they are worked out by special rays and become clearer and vivid in colour, look very beautiful, but from jyotish point of view possess less power. A natural stone with specks is much better than clear and unnatural. If gemstone is very expensive it is possible to use cheaper stones of the same colour. Plants, roots and pieces of wood are used for different planets as well. Sometimes they can be even more effective. For example, birch bark ("bhoj patra") corresponds to Mercury, it should be rolled in green material and beared in hand; ark root can be used instead of ruby, it was usually done in the Himalayas if there were no stones. Does it mean that astrologer interferes into person's karma while making important predictions? Indeed, sometimes it is hard and astrologer suffers from getting in touch with a negative situation of the other person. If person accepts explanations, trusts the astrologer and is ready to follow recommendations we feel ourselves free of negative influencies. But if person is in big trouble, but does not want to understand it, does not believe and does not want to follow astrologer's advices, then we sufer from influence of his planets' position, from getting in touch with his karma. It happened in my own and my father's practice. That is why looking into one's horoscope astrologer decides whether to give an advice or not. If person is ready to understand his problem and ready to do someting to improve the situation he will get an advice. But if person just wants to argue and does not want to understand anything, there is no sense "to cast pearls" - these are his planets, let him go through his karma on his own. Sometimes you see near death, but if person is not ready to perceive it from spiritual point of view, the astrologer will pass it over in silence. Do astrologers have any methods to free themselves from such influences? Sure, we do it with the help of personal spiritual practice, sadhana, japa - meditative repetition of a mantra. That is why brahmins always reiterate Gayatri mantra, it helps to get free from someone's karma influence. We worship our Ishta Devata (personal form of God transfered according to family line - I.Zh) and practice upasana for clearing us out of others' karma. After working with two-three horoscopes at once I feel tension, but then I meditate and get relaxed. Astrology and spiritual practice, is it true that self-realized person "erases" his own horoscope? Spiritual practice influences horoscope. If person is not attached to material world absolutely then planets practically do not interact with him. A human can be even stronger than planets, it depends on his practice and his spiritual level. But it is wrong to say that self-realized person does not have horoscope any more, everyone has. Even if person becomes saint - such possibility is written down in his horoscope. Even five-six thousand years ago when Lord Rama or Lord Krishna were born they had horoscopes as well. Was it written there that this child is God? You can not read this but horoscope shows that the person born has abilities that are beyond measure and has mystic energies. It was shown in horoscopes that Krishna was born in prison, that Rama will have to go to the woods, when his Saturn comes down in the third house. Jyotish gives knowledge, it can not change situation, only your praying can do it. Sometimes a negative effect comes from a certain planet but you are meditating at this moment - and you are getting rid of it. You are doomed to be confronted by some energy but due to knowledge you will be able to stand it. What planets have positive influence on yoga practice? In general it is Jupiter - Brihaspati, Guru's planet. If Jupiter is in strong position, person may become a yogin, a tantric, a pandit (expert on the Vedas). The Sun and the Moon help as well. Saturn at first does not give a feeling of satisfaction with the result, makes you work hard, overcome difficulties, but then gives the best results in meditation. It assists in austerity and seclusion. A lot depends on what house the planet is in. Is it possible to calculate a chart for a certain state or nation, to know about it's development, conflicts? Yes, it is posiible. It is not like person's horoscope, but horoscope for a certain part of the planet where this state is situated. Nowdays we know even the time when the state appeared. For example, predictions for modern India are calculated from the date and time when it was announced independent (15 august 1947, 12 o'clock). Before, for 600 years India was under Muslim control, then for 90 years it was the British colony. A fate of a country depends on a horoscope of its king or president, and what they are going to do. For example, upon my Russian friends' request I made a horoscope for one of Russian presidents, it shows that he is a mighty asura, who was looking for incarnation in a human's body to fulfil his desire to get power... Does it mean that it is possible to know previous and future incarnations? In general it is possible, even to know about several incarnations, but it requires long calculations (about 40 days), astrologer's meditation and strenth of his connection with the God. Serious astrologer, who gives correct information but not just meets client's fantasies for money, won't do such calculations for everyone, just for those people who really want to rectify their karma mistakes and want to lead more spiritual life. Because, as we mentioned before, such intervention into other's karma influences astrologer. Ability to see previous lives can be obtained by a yogin on advanced stages of meditation, so person is able to know it himself if he has Guru and sadhana, of course it requires years of practice but knowledge you get in the result is greater. Who are planets for you - celestial bodies and natural forces or godlike substances? Planets - Grahas in sanskrit mean "rulers or seizers", those who influence us against our will. They are a part of the nature but they have their reflections in a human being. On the Earth natural forces are not obeying us - we have to study them and get adapted to. We can say that celestial bodies in cosmos are rough shells of Planets-Gods. The Sun and the Moon are influencing human beings on physical level, other planets and their light astral vibrartions influence light layers of human being (kosha). In jyotish you worship Gods of the planets in certain periods, but this is not like worshiping the Supreme God, for example, in the form of Shiva or Vishnu. This is more like variants of positive magic, knowledge given by ancient sages, so that people could lighten difficult periods of their lives and realise their karmic mistakes. The Only Bhagavan (the God) is always higher and various forms of Gods, his manifestations for people are like the doors leading to Him.
You can meet Anand Bihari and get his consultation on Vedic astrology in Free Flow Yoga Center, Arambol, Goa, India, during season. For detailed information on the place and yoga seminars check www.ffyoga.com Russian Yoga Magazine, #2, 2007
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