Astrology to me is a perfect science. It is a super science. Why then do predictions go wrong? They have to, when self-styled astrologers with superficial ideas shoot predictions from the hip or when those with incomplete knowledge and the intention to extort money, predict with nefarious and commercial motives.

Astrology is growing in popularity; the media reflects, magnifies this trend. Big money is to be had from telecast of hyped up programs of predictions. People are waylaid and made to believe what, in a true sense, is not astrology. Wrong predictions are being unleashed on the gullible. All you need to look like an astrologer is a kurta and a tilak.

Predictions also go wrong when even the serious astrologer, at best, reaches a sketchy picture of things in store. We can perhaps with sincere study, arrive at a range of eighty percent knowledge of the subject. The balance twenty percent needs to be achieved by an astrologers’ intuition and insights acquired through spiritual practices. The dasha of the astrologers at the time he is predicting is also important. Wrong predictions could also result from incorrect birth data provided by the consultant.

In view of this, before announcing predictions, it is the moral duty of the astrologer to make his consultant aware of these limitations. This advice may appear unviable for the commercially inclined astrologers, but it makes for sustainable and credible astrology, and is an essential statutory warning for our trade for, like nuclear buttons and surgical instruments, some astrological predictions too leave deep scars. Astrology should therefore be allowed to be practiced by those who are conscientious and have the stamp of qualification from a recognized training school. The fact that so many seek astrological guidance should make the policy makers introduce astrology in the universities and devise ways to help institutions like Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which imparts the best training in astrology.

With interest in astrology developed since childhood and having learnt it and practiced it in an organized way under the guidance of Mr.K.N.Rao for the past 18 years, I can advocate with conviction that astrology is a science that works very well.

The paths may be numerous but the goal remains one-a correct prediction. I can say with confidence that many systems being practiced all across the globe can deliver the same correct prediction when perfected. Vedic astrology has a definite edge over other systems due to the numerous dashas developed by great rishis, perhaps through their yogic practice.

How the planetary position in the sky unravels, up to the day, when an event is to take place, is as amazing as many of the myriad mysteries of our universe- how the human body works at the physical, mental and spiritual levels simultaneously through sensory perceptions; the nature that surrounds us with beauty and magically regenerates itself, also fills us with awe and admiration for the creator.

Let us understand the nuances of astrology with verified horoscopes of three Chief Ministers.

Shri Yediyurappa, Chief Minister
The horoscope has the basic promise for rise in life as Venus, the 11th and 6th lord, strong in digbala, exalts in the 4th house of Rajsimhasan. It forms the Malavaya mahapurusha yoga. The 4th house is a crucial house for state or a country head. Mars, the 5th lord is in the Lagna in mutual aspect with the Lagna lord Jupiter. This also forms a strong Rajyoga. Vargottam Sun aspects its own house of fortune, the 9th which also promises rise in life.

The aspect of lagna lord and the 4th lord Jupiter on the Lagna strengthens the Lagna. From the lagna the 11th lord Venus strong in the 4th house aspects the 10th ensuring gains. Considering the strength of the horoscope, Shri Yediyurappa had to be in command during favorable dashas. It was a simple prediction as he was to get the dasha of Sun/Mercury/Venus. Sun, the 9th lord is vargottam, Mercury, the 10^th lord is strong and unafflicted in the 2nd house and Venus the 11th lord exalts in the 4th house and aspects the 10th house. This reading was not only from Vimshottari but from other dashas also.

Octogenarian Narain Dutt Tiwari has a similar promise in the 4^th house of rajsimhasan as Jupiter in its mooltrikona Rashi is in the 4th house. Rahu in the 11th in Cancer is a rajyogakaraka and promises steep rise in life. Sun is Vargottam in this case also. The Saturn is exalted though it gets debilitated in the navamsha. Shri Tiwari was fortunate to receive an excellent dasha pattern. Rahu and Jupiter dashas built a political career for him in the youth itself.

Late Shri YSR, Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR also has a strong Sun though not Vargottam as in the case of other two Chief Ministers. But the Sun in his horoscope, as the 7^th lord of pada prapti (attainment of position) is in the 5th house with the 5th lord Mercury, giving rise to an excellent Raj yoga. It exalts in the navamsha in the 11th house and is the 10th lord of the dashamansha. Vargottam Rahu gave him steep rise but a tragic death as it is in a maraka 2nd house and by nature deceptive.