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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
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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.
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