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Levels of Existence
Further, Indian Philosophy also speaks
of many levels of existence. Seven above
the level that we perceive in our present
form and seven below. The words 'above'
and 'below' here are very relative though.
An individual consciousness develops or
mutates according to its karma to one
of these levels.
The idea of karma can have two different
connotations. It could either put karma
in the domain of an individual consciousness'
capacity of choice, or it could relegate
karma to be merely an instrument that
guides the enactment of the script of
destiny. Viewed from whichever perspective,
karma powers the actions of an individual
consciousness in the material universe.
As this dissertation is essentially my
viewpoint of Indian Astrology, I should
perhaps mention here that I tend to take
the latter view. The reason for this being
the deduction that if the separation of
the individual consciousness from the
supreme that defines the moment of our
individual existence and our being bound
by the law of karma is beyond our control,
then how can anything that follows be?
What kind of karma could an individual
consciousness have accumulated at the
moment of separation from the supreme
by its 'independent' actions to sustain
its onward journey along the path of time?
Planets Mark Our Karma
Regardless of the view taken on karma,
the planets are said to regulate the consequence
of karma upon life forms on earth. The
planets by themselves do not possess any
independent ability to confer or take
away benefits from an individual. They
are only indicators of the script that
the individual has to enact as composed
by karma. The planets are the nine dials
of the earth clock that mark time as well
as describe events that happen at every
moment. Each of the nine entities symbolize
a set of principles, the coalescence of
which give rise to the myriad of thought
processes in individuals -- that in turn
germinate into actions that lead to events.
The planets too are viewed as conscious
entities with the physical planets themselves
being merely their material forms. A planet
is referred to by the Sanskrit name Graha
which means something that holds you.
That is, these entities hold an individual
life-form along the path described by
its karma.
Knowledge Is All Around Us
Another point that needs mention here
is that Indian astrology is not considered
as an experimental science -- from the
point of view of the basic edicts. It
is seen as an absolute one. The science
is not attributed to any individual. It
is attributed to knowledge itself. Astrology,
as well as every branch of knowledge,
is considered to be 'seen' by seers who
then pass it down to posterity. Knowledge
is all around us -- seen, unseen and everything
in-between, imperishable and eternal.
Each life form is endowed with receptors
to tap into this knowledge pool. These
receptors too seem to get activated only
during certain times and certain frequencies
and consequently can access only a certain
bandwidth of knowledge. The question of
when, how much and what range of knowledge
we assimilate seems to be beyond our control
and the function of laying down these
parameters is attributed to destiny or
karma.
The subject of astrology is seen as a
part of that vast body of knowledge referred
to as the Vedas. Indian astrology or Jyotisha
as it is called, can be divided into three
sections: the section that deals with
astronomical and mathematical computations
necessary to derive the Panchaanga (almanac)
for each year, the section that deals
with computing appropriate times for appropriate
actions (Muhurtha), natal astrology (Jaataka)
and Horary astrology (Prashna) and the
section that deals with mundane predictions.
Being bound by philosophical thoughts,
the study and practice of astrology was
traditionally confined to those persons
who took to the study of philosophy. Astrology
was seen more as a tool for understanding
existence rather than as a tool for advancing
individual interests. This class of people
were referred to as brahmins. They were
to dedicate their lives to study, teaching
and adherence to 'Just' living without
aspiring for material and monetary benefits.
Astrology in Universities?
The scene is a bit different now. Perceptions
have changed with time. Astrological courses
are offered by many institutions. These
courses did not have official acceptance
until last year, when the Government of
India decided to grant recognition to
the subject. This development has led
to some of the universities introducing
astrological courses (and a section of
the intelligentsia vociferously opposing
this move).
The question however would be, would
those who undergo formal training in astrology
as it is offered in the universities and
other institutions today, use it for understanding
existence or would they use it as a means
of existence.
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