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Matchmaking for the Modern Mind By Kailash Khandelwal Indian astrology has a remarkable system of match-making wherein the horoscopes of the prospective bride and groom are studied by astrologers for compatibility aimed at ensuring they lead a harmonious wedded life once they are united in holy wedlock. The position of Moon in the zodiacal chart (calculated astronomically) is crucial as it indicates the metaphysical, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual disposition of a person. The two horoscopes are analyzed with these factors in view, and if the score is found to be more than 19-22 of the total 36 points (60%), the two horoscopes are deemed to be in agreement. Erudite astrological treatises on match-making always cite the horoscopes of Ram and Sita as an ideal example for total compatibility scoring 36/36 with absolutely no elements of disagreement. Quite often, we come across elders in the family wishing newly-weds they lead a happy harmonious wedded life like Ram and Sita. This is somewhat curious as what happened to Ram and Sita after their marriage and the ordeals they underwent, is common knowledge. Prince Ram, accompanied by Sita, had to leave the kingdom on the eve of his coronation as King and retire to the forests to endure inconceivably severe hardships. Sita was abducted by the ten-headed demon-king Ravana of Srilanka which led to a fierce battle between Ram and Ravana. Soon after redeeming Sita, Ram subjects her to an ordeal by fire relying on some malicious gossip, engages in a war with his own sons and irretrievably loses Sita with no prospect whatsoever of reuniting. The several unfortunate twists and turns in the post marital life of Ram and Sita are indeed baffling – especially in the light of the fact the two horoscopes are in total agreement scoring 100% match points. Most of the astrologers in my study-circle in India have had neither the time nor the inclination to research on this paradox, Many even think it is blasphemous to entertain doubts about the authenticity of such time-honored theories. I would see them unquestioningly rely on the total points system despite being fully aware of the glaring and irreconcilable contradiction as substantiated by the marital life of Ram and Sita. The allocation of points is based on a graded system and not uniform. For example, maximum point of 4 is awarded to physical harmony and for mutual-happiness 7. Great emphasis is placed on a factor called Nadi that is awarded 8 points out of the total 36 points, which works to almost 25%. A successful match is made to predominantly depend on this single factor. Therefore, if the Nadi factor of prospective bride and groom is found to be discordant, the chance of getting astrological sanction receives a serious setback. Apart from having some other metaphysical aspects, Nadi is the determining factor for the biological and physiological compatibility of the couple for raising healthy progeny to perpetuate the family lineage. When the Nadi factor is in agreement, it indicates a strong possibility of the married couple to beget strong, healthy and intelligent children. More of such children mean the world of tomorrow will be more intelligent thereby more peaceful. This is such an ennobling and well-intentioned thought, based on the premise that begetting intelligent progeny is the duty of all married couples towards the society in which they live. This was thus made an integral part of Indian match-making system. Truly insightful! However, the mere astrological harmony of the Nadi factor is insufficient unless it is further fortified by a firm commitment towards values like parental sacrifice, family bondage and devoting time for the kids by the concerned couple – any non-fulfillment of these accompanying factors would dilute the Nadi potential. As all of us are aware, vast changes have taken place at all fronts since the time the Rishis of yore allotted maximum points to the Nadi factor. You find from contemporary life-styles that both parents are employed due to economic compulsions, leaving them with no time even to cook their own food. Driven by financial needs and in many cases by an ambition to accomplish, married couples either postpone or permanently abandon the idea of begetting children. The work-a-day grind is so rigorous and exacting that many working parents helplessly leave their kids under the care of a baby sitter. The compulsions and demands of modern life-style forbid compliance of what the Nadi factor demands from their role as parents. Making sacrifices to translate into actuality what the Nadi factor stipulates could be impractical and daunting in the modern times. This is not only true for Nadi factor, but for many other match-making factors as well. For example, the factor pertaining to physical compatibility in a horoscope is far more critical in the life of a couple these days than the degree of importance traditional match-making apportions for this factor. It calls for a more contemporary interpretation to make it relevant. Blindly relying on match points computed based on the traditional system could be misleading. Sadly, most of the astrologers do not bother to go beyond this and the gullible parents are forced to believe that more match points mean a more blissful conjugal relationship. The art and theory of match making propounded by Indian astrology is truly remarkable. The inherent resilience of this system is, it has a dynamic aspect that can be intelligently applied to make it relevant and meaningful for the modern mind and modern society - unfortunately neither understood nor applied.
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| The Caste Factor in Indian Astrology |
 Indian astrology boldly proclaims caste is decided by birth not karma. Indian astrology provides an Astronomy- based mathematical formula (based on the position of the moon in the zodiac chart at the time of birth) to ascertain the caste of a newborn. Unlike other scriptures, where ambiguity of poetry is often used to prove that caste is decided by karma, Indian Astrology decisively establishes that caste can be determined at the time of birth, with mathematical exactitude. It took me several years to fully comprehend the metaphysical significance of caste-by-birth concept adumbrated in Indian astrology. Thanks to the remarkable insights of some great masterminds like Gopinath Kaviraj, Osho and Nisargadatta Maharaj, I could connect the dots and many things that always intrigued me started falling in place. At the core of the Indian thought is the assertion that the Soul, for the sake of great play (leela), uses its own power (maya) to impose on itself a deceptive phenomenon called the World (samsara). Once the world-phenomenon is shed, the Soul 'realizes' its native inherent reality called Truth. Meditation is the only potent tool to shed off this pseudo-phenomenon. Meditative technique needs time to master - one life time is not sufficient. Indian astrology overwhelmingly relies on the caste factor in a horoscope to decide about the 'archetype' of a person, which in turn helps identify the right meditative technique for that person. Imagine this: A person is instructed by the Guru to use Lord Shiva's mantra as a technique for self-realization. It could take 100 earth-years for the mantra to manifest. The person, having devoted 20 years meditating on Shiva mantra encounters physical death. But the subtle body has already accumulated 20 earth-years worth of steadfast efforts. At the time of rebirth, it tries to find a family and environment dedicated to Lord Shiva so that it could go ahead from where it left off. A well defined and segregated society makes it easier for the Soul to find the right womb, get reborn in an already familiar caste environment, resume the well-known meditative technique and further progress towards self-realization. However, over passage of time this great metaphysical experiment turned into obscurantist rigidities due to various historical reasons. In view of these distortions, a person who today is deemed to be born in a Brahmin family may astrologically be a Vaishya. The horoscope of his father might reveal him to be of Shudra caste and the mother could be astrologically belonging to Kshatriya caste. The caste factor in Indian astrology not only helps in ascertaining the 'archetype' of a person, but also provides a great deal of information pertaining to a particular archetype. On a more contemporaneous note, determining the basic 'archetype' or caste of person could be positively advantageous in matters like career counseling, match-making, suitable profession etc. |