The Astrological eMagazine January 2016

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Chief Editor and Publisher Bangalore Niranjan Babu ceo@astrologicalmagazine.com The Astrological eMagazine appears the previous month of publication. All rights reserved. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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2 January 2016

HeÀueeefve ûen®eejsCe met®e³eefvle ceveeref<eCe: ~ keÀes JeÊeÀe leejlec³em³e leceskeÀb JesOemeb efJevee ~~ Those who know Astrology can only indicate in a way what will take place in future.

Who else, except the Creator Brahma, can say with certainty what will definitely happen ?

2016

JANUARY ISSUE

Contents Yajnavalkya Rambles in Astrological Thoughts – 12

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Words of Wisdom Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji

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Datta VijayanandaTeertha Swamiji Yoga Vashishta - 13

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Tattvavit Dasa Srila Prabhupada - Reflecting on Half a Century

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Ajaathasatru 2016 Predictions for India

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P. Utsav Astrology, Intuition & Cricket

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Dr. Ramesh Kamath Vastu, Man & Nature

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Gargacharya How is 2016 for you?

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Sarajit Poddar Composite Dasa & Transit Assessment

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Swami Vishnudevananda Attachment - Cause for Pain

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R. S. Maniam Chennai Floods Astrology Pointers

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Sainath Gandlur Rahu's entry into Leo & Mundane Affairs

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Dr. E S Neelakantan History of Twin Towers - An Astrological Viewpoint

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S. K. Sethi New Dimensions in Muhurtha

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The Astrological eMagazine Panchanga for January 2016

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Gayathri Devi Sainatha Bhavas - Their Strengths

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Abhilash N Medicinal Plants - Benefits and Usage - Turmeric

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Timings for Rahukala, Gulikakala and Yamakantaka

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Varahamihira This Month for You January 2016

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Sunrise and Sunset Timings for January 2016

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routine actions and performing daily duties. No new important works should be undertaken on these days.

These are excellent days for meditation and absorbing the immaculate power â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Sakthi, sacrificial homas, adulterating or mixing things, and doing a Daana or offering of an ox for fulfilling desires (Vrashotsarga).

Those acts recommended for the Ugra nakshatras are also admitted here. Of the weekdays, Wednesday goes under this category.

Nakshatras of Harsh Energy Ugraâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Krura Cruel/Aggressive nakshatras are five. They are Bharani, Magha, Poorvaphalguni, Poorvaashada and Poorvabhadrapada. These nakshatras are considered earthly in nature because they stir the mind in one way or the other. They are not good days to begin something new. Poorvaphalguni is a harsh nakshatra but lucky by nature. Its influence gives the ability to sway others; gives courage, fire and enthusiasm, but may cause the mind to become lusty. Poorvaashada is earthly in quality, indicates an influence causing people to do what they like without considering the opinion of others.

Bharani can cause the mind to become entangled in the material world. It can hide or eclipse insight, causing struggle. Poorvabhadrapada may cause the mind to be passionate, unstable and impetuous. It is good for doing penance. Actions of malefic nature like ambushing, killing someone, burning properties, committing deception like cheating, administering poisoning someone and making or using weapons can be effective if done on these days.

Those actions recommended for Daruna (horrible) can also be performed on these days. Of the weekdays, Tuesday belongs to this category.

Nakshatras of Light Energy Kshipra-Laghu Small/Short nakshatras are four. They are Hasta, Aswini, Pushyami and Abhijith. When the Moon is in these stars, activities such as decorations, pleasure outings, sports, starting business, undertaking travels and administering medicines are recommended. Hasta is also suitable for conducting marriages. Aswini and Pushya are the best stars for starting new businesses.

Pushya and Hasta are also good for house warming.

Acts like selling, sexual involvements, learning the Sastras, buying or getting jewels made and wearing them, learning all the 64 arts and the like are recommended for these Nakshatras. Those acts recommended for The astrological emagazine

the Chara nakshatras are also admitted here. Of the weekdays, Thursday is considered as Laghu.

Nakshatras of Soft Energy Mriduâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Maitra Delicate/Friendly/Benefic nakshatras are four. They are Mrigasira, Revati, Chitra and Anuradha. These nakshatras are considered auspicious for the first wearing of new clothes, sexual union for conception, dancing, art, cultural performances and ceremonial rites.

Mrigasira, Anuradha and Revati are also good days for house warming. Mrigasira and Anuradha are suitable for marriage ceremonies, but Chitra and Revati are not.

These are good for learning music, getting cloths or jewels prepared and wearing them, playing games and attending to matters connected with friends. Of the weekdays, Friday goes under this group.

Nakshatras of Sharp Energy Teekshna-Daruna Sharp/Ferocious/Horrible nakshatras are four. They are: Moola, Jyeshta, Aridra and Aslesha. When the Moon is in any of these stars, actions like separating anyone from others, engaging in debate and chanting of powerful mantras are more successful than at other times. These are good days for activities requiring a harsh or strong, cutting force. Aridra is also good for starting a new business or blessing a new home. Doing sorcery or Aabhichara, Mohana or hypnotising, tantric deeds like Ucchadana, ambushing or horrifying acts, causing enmity between friends, backbiting, training or tying of animals and the like can be done on these days effectively. Of the weekdays, Saturday belongs to this group. (to be continued)

Bangalore Niranjan Babu on behalf of The Astrological eMagazine wishes all its readers a

Very Happy New Year 2016 January 2016

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Yoga Vashishta - 13*

³eesie Jeeefmeÿ Datta VijayanandaTeertha Swamiji

(Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, the junior pontiff of Datta Peetham, referred as Bala Swamiji by Datta devotees is born in a traditional Brahmin family on 14th January, 1977 in Mysore. The boy named Harsha Vardhana Sharma had his Vedic education in Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda Veda Patashala. He entered the Mysore Ashram in the year 1985 and studied the Sastras and the Vedas. While serving Guru, he acquired the M.A. degree in Sanskrit. In 1999 he received mantra initiation from His Holiness Sadguru Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. In 2004 he received the orders to become an ascetic (Sanyasa Deeksha) and was announced as the spiritual successor of Avadoota Datta Peetham on 30th May, 2004. With collosal knowledge of the shastras Sri Swamiji has been interpreting Vedas in simple language to influence many lives. He observes Chaturmasya Deeksha every year.

He is also keenly interesed in service to society. In Vijayawada, he has arranged for a shelter for the protection of cows. In Machilipatnam, he has arranged for the free feeding of school children once a month. In Nuzvidu, he has arranged for free food distribution once a week at the Devadeva Datta Kshetra to the children of the orphanage run by Sneha rights. Swamiji has also arranged for these children to be taught bhajans and prayers.

In the Chennai Ashram, he has arranged for free food distribution once a week to deaf and mute children. In Eluru, he has arranged for a free meal every week for the elderly who live in Homes for the Aged. In Warangal, he has arranged for free food for youngsters who are HIV positive.

At the government school in Gowrishankar Nagar in Mysore, he has arranged for the supply of nutritious food once a week. He has organized for the donation of clothing, school fees, and school supplies for needy children.

At the Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram in Rishikesh, he has arranged for serving free food for 20 ascetics daily. In addition to the above, Sri DattaVijayananda Teertha Swamiji conducts various other social and spiritual activities.

In the year 2014 during the sacred period of Chaturmasya Deeksha Sri Bala Swamiji discoursed on the Yoga Vashista. These discourses are brought to you, as a series of articles. Due credit is given to Smt. Hira Duvvuri and Miss Madhu Gopi, both sincere and dedicated devotees of Datta Peetham, for translating and editing the discourses from telugu to english.

Yoga Vasishta is one of the greater spiritual texts and is said to be the conversation between Lord Sri Rama and Sage Vasishta.

This text goes into much details of the subtle intricacies of the mind and is said to answer all questions that arise in one’s mind.)

Discourse delivered on July 26, 2014 Jaya Guru Datta Sri Ganesaya Namaha, Sri Saraswatyai Namaha/ Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati, Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha/ Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha// Asato ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso ma Jyotirgamaya/ Mrityor ma AmrtamGamaya, Om Santissantissantihi//

Jñātā Jñānaṁ Tathā Jñēyaṁ Draṣṭādarśana Dr̥Śyabhūḥ Kartā Hētuḥ Kriyā Yasmāt Tasmai Jñaptyātmanē Namaḥ || Sphuranti Sīkarā Yasmāt Ānanandasyāṁbarē Vanau Sarvēṣām Jīvanam Tasmai Brahmānandātmanē Namaḥ ||

Yoga Vasishtha Dhyana Slokas Yatassarvāṇi Bhūtāni Pratibhānti Sthitāni Ca Yatraivōpaśamaṁ Yānti Tasmai Satyātmanē Namaḥ ||

Yesterday (December 2015 issue) we learned of the arrival of Sage Viswamitra and his request to Dasaratha to send Rama with him. But Dasaratha who gave his word to Viswamitra that he would do his bidding is now unable to part with his son. No matter how many noble words he mayuse, he is not able to patch up the situation. It still leaves a gaping hole.

*continued from the December 2015 issue of The AeM

Dasaratha is caught in a terrible dilemma. He does not know how to extricate himself from this difficult situation.

He is worried and laments, “How can I send Rama with

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Predictions

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Ajaathasatru

T

he lunar Nodes, known as Rahu and Ketu in astrology, do their rounds in the twelve rasis of the zodiac, and complete one round of the zodiac, in about 18 years. Their movement, in contrast to the other planets, is in the reverse direction. In other words they will always be in retrograde motion. In this process they change their signs roughly, once in 18 months.

Previously, true Rahu and Ketu entered Virgo and Pisces respectively, on the 13th July 2014.

Having stayed there for just over 18 months, they are now entering Leo and Aquarius respectively, on the 9th January 2016, where they are to remain in those signs till the third week of August 2017.

Conventionally, only the mean positions of the nodes are taken to account by some section of astrologers for the panchanga calculations and predictive purposes, under the plea that there could be no true positions for imaginable points. However, as only the true positions for all the planets are taken for predictive and panchang purposes, scholars are of unanimous opinion that it will inconsistent to stick to any mean positions for the nodes alone.

Therefore as in the case of planets, where we are concerned only with their true or apparent positions, for the nodes also, only their true positions are taken for our evaluation. It must be noted while the motion of mean Rahu or Ketu will always be retrograde and uniform, the same of true nodes will not be so. It can be not uniform always. At times, the motion could become direct also. In the process, the true Rahu and Ketu can become static, for some days. The greatest difference between the true and mean positions of the nodes will be about 1.75 degrees. As for the mean nodes, the impending transits occur, on the 29th January 2016.

Lunar Nodes technically are not real planets.

They are only the points of intersection of the orbit of the Moon with the ecliptic.

In Indian Astrology the occupational effects of these two nodes, in different rasis, are given considerable importance. This applies

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January 2016

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& P. Utsav

T

he twenty first Century appears to be an age of new innovations, inventions and discoveries. It is an age of potential, possibilities, performances and persistence.

The challenges and opportunities are many and not merely limited to technology, art and science. It is also an age where human effort can overpower the challenges. The renewed interest in spiritual and religious matters is likely to lead to a more peaceful world in the coming years.

Jyotisha: Ageless Knowledge Vedas and Vedangas have been India’s eternal contribution to universal knowledge. There are six Vedangas or organs of Vedas. Jyotisha, the science of light, is the organ of sight of the Vedas. In the earlier times, Jyotisha was designed and designated to determine the best possible times for the performance of various Vedic karmas (spiritual sacrifices).

The sages found there was a correlation between the planetary movements and the events on earth. Thus, Jyotisha is the synthesis of astronomy and astrology. During the last few centuries, traditional Vedic term of Jyotisha was replaced by “Hindu” Astrology. However, during the last few decades or so, the term “Hindu” Astrology is slowly being replaced by the more vibrant or dynamic term“Vedic” Astrology. In the current times, Vedic Astrology also implies that astrology is a spiritually based applied subject that can help or guide people, irrespective of the background of the individual. Spiritualism enables an individual not to exclude all rituals but more importantly to understand that rituals are merely the fundamental stepping stones towards ultimately achieving oneness with the Eternal Spirit or the Creator.

Vedic Astrology is based on the concept of Karma. Prarabdha Karma is the accumulated Karma that an individual inherits in the current life from Karma that has been generated in previous life or lives. The horoscope is based on Prarabdha Karma and is not a deterministic map but an indicative map of the individual’s potential in life. The horoscope-map is filled with information covering nine planets, twelve rasis and a significant other astrology related data. Vedic Astrology involves systematic and careful integration of both numerical or mathematical data and subjective or observed information. In other words, quantitative data and qualitative observation are the two keys that are used to The astrological emagazine

unlock the horoscope and get a good look into its contents, the world of intuition.

Integrating Intuition and Destiny/Life The interpretation of a horoscope is often difficult and many times quite challenging. It is rare for one or two planets out of the nine planets to be the dominating influences in a chart.

More often every planet has a small or big contribution that can encouragingly or challengingly impact the chart.

No planet is entirely challenging (weak) or encouraging (strong). The planets through a horoscope collectively indicate the potential of an individual.

Astrologers and scholars, particularly in the recent decades, may have inclined towards giving limited attention to the role of “intuition” in a person’s life. However, the life and experiences of Genius Ramanujan1, Genius Steve Jobs and possibly many others have shown that intuition has a possible role in the life of every human. Steve Jobs, the inventor of PC, was attracted by Zen Budhdhism’s spiritual emphasis on intuition. The well known author Issacon indicates that Steve believed “Intuitive understanding and consciousness was more significant than abstract thinking and intellectual logical analysis”. Intuition is the spark or catalyst that generates the ability to a person to think outside the traditional or conventional manner, when approaching various matters. It encourages thinking “outside the box” approach. Dr. B. V. Raman, the doyen of modern astrology, specifically emphasized the significant role of intuition.

Ninth house is an indicator for intuition. In the case of Steve Jobs’ chart, ninth lord Venus is Vargottama. In the case of Genius Ramanujan, the ninth lord is retrograde Saturn. A retrograde planet is favorable even in an enemy or depression rasi or navamsa and indicates effects similar to its location in exalted position. The intuition in Ramanujan’s life was extraordinary one. Ramanujan believed that his extraordinary ability to understand complex and advanced mathematics was due to the Blessings of Goddess Namagiri (Goddess Lakshmi). “Blessing” is a spiritual word and “Intuition” 1 “Srinivasan Ramanujan, The Genius Mathematician”, Dr. Bangalore Sureshwara, November 2014, TheAstrological eMagazine, Bangalore January 2016

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Ketu

Mercury

Planetary Position on 1st January 2016 at 0:00 hrs

Sun

Venus Saturn

Mars

How is This Year for You?

Ketu Mars Venus

Jupiter

Moon

Moon Rahu

Sun Mercury

Planetary Position on 1st January 2017 at 0:00 hrs Saturn

Rahu

Jupiter

Gargacharya The yearly transits are as follows Sun

Sun enters Capricorn on 14th Jan, Aquarius on 15th Feb, Pisces on 14th March, Aries on 13th April Taurus on 14th May, Gemini on 14th Jun, Cancer on 16th Jul, Leo on 16th Aug, Virgo on 16th Sep, Libra on 17th Oct, Scorpio on 16th Nov, Sagittarius on 15th Dec. Mercury

Mercury enters Sagittarius on 14th Jan, Capricorn on 8th Feb, Aquarius on 1st Mar, Pisces on 18th Mar, Aries on 2nd Apr, Taurus on 8th Jun, Gemini on 27th Jun, Cancer on 11th Jul, Leo on 27th Jul, Virgo on 19th Aug, Leo on 9th Sep, Virgo on 3rd Oct, Libra on 21st Oct, Scorpio on 8th Nov. Jupiter

Virgo on 11th Aug

Venus

Venus enters Sagittarius on 19th , Capricorn on 12th Feb, Aquarius on 7th Mar, Pisces on 31st Mar, Aries on 25th Apr, Taurus on 19th May, Gemini on 12th, Cancer on 7th July, Leo on 31st Jul, Virgo on 25th Aug, Scorpio on 13th Oct, Sagittarius on 7th Nov, Capricorn on 2nd Dec, Aquarius on 28th Dec. Saturn

Saturn Stays in Scorpio, Rahu enters Leo on 29th, Ketu enters Aquarius on 29th

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Composite Dasa

& Transit Assessment Sarajit Poddar Sarajit Poddar is a researcher in Jyotish a Shastra and has been studying / researching on this subject for more than 27 years. His interest was kindled at a very young age of 14 when he started with the study of palmistry. He was initially guided in this subject by his uncle and later in the year 1999 he was accepted as a shisya by Pt. Sanjay Rath, after which he attained considerable depth in this subject. He is an avid writer. Sarajit currently lives in Singapore, working as a senior management professional in an MNC and is a post graduate in management from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

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imshottari Dasa is a very important timing system in Jyotisha Shastra. Its wide applicability has made it very popular. However, it is filled with challenges.

Sometimes, it is difficult to pinpoint a specific event in a period which spans across years and months. We give here some guidelines that can be used to pinpoint events with the help of the transit of mahadasa and the bhukti lord, and also the lagnesha, Jupiter, Sun and Moon.

Now, why should we judge the transit with regards to the dasa lord? The answer is straightforward.

The dasa lord is the king of time.There may be numerous good and bad yogas in a horoscope, but what manifests at a time is based on what the mahadasa lord wants. Without the permission of the mahadasa lord, an event cannot manifest.

One must be careful here as we are attaching too much importance to the dasa lord. Which dasa are we talking about? There are many nakshatra based as well as many rasi based dasas.An important question here is, do the principles mentioned here apply to all the dasa systems or only a specific dasa system? In my humble opinion, the technique described applies only to the vimshottari dasa initiated from the Moon, as this is the only dasa having universal applicability. The Moon represents the mind and its interactions with the external environment and hence becomes an important factor.

Since transit from the Moon is very important for judging not only the quality of time, but also the quantum of auspicious, and inauspicious events - there is a logical connection of such transit to the vimshottari dasa The astrological emagazine

initiated from the Moon. Nonetheless, the transit of grahas reckoned from the lagna and their various yogas formed with natal grahas are also significantly important.

The results, however, are modified based on their transit position from janma rasi, as well as ashtakavarga.

In transit, one important question is - when Jupiter transits through the 5th or 9th house, which is considered to be excellent -does Jupiter bless the same quantum of auspicious results in every cycle or is there a variation in that result? What results does it manifest? -Is it childbirth, financial gains or some other gains? The results are bound to be different even though Jupiter’s position from the janma rasi and janma lagna remains the same. What can cause the variation in the results? One important thing to be considered is the age group and stage of life, as the needs of a child, an adult, a young girl and a woman will be different. Hence, what they are blessed during each cycle of Jupiter after every 12 years will be different. In addition, another significant factor that can cause difference is the dasa and bhukti running at that time. With the changes in the dasa and bhuktis, there is shift in the priorities in one’s life.

Let’s see how the transit results are modified by the dasa and bhukti under operation.

Transit of the Mahadasa lord During the progress of a mahadasa that spans across many years, the results are not constant throughout the Graha’s dasa or bhukti. One way to determine the changes in the results is through judgment of bhukti.One must also account for the avastha of the dasa lord during any bhukti.

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Cause for Pain Swami Vishnudevananda

W

hat is the cause of all problems, individual as well as universal? The root from which everything spreads out? Attachment is the cause of all pain.

For example, this glass is very special. I bought it at an auction and it was used by King George 100th!!! King George 100th used this glass. It is mine, D said, “Is that so, Swamiji? Can you give it to me? I would like to have it.” “No way,” I said, as I held it tight. When I go to sleep, I lock it up in a special vault with a special lock and put on a special electronic alarm, so if anyone tries to touch it, I will know. I am unable to sleep because of this glass.

Any sound I hear, I think someone is after my glass. L is coming over. She is only trying to be friendly because of the glass. I trust no one now. I ask Swami P to check on D to see what he is up to, but later I see Swami P and D outside talking together. Oh my God, they are plotting against me for my glass.

What we call love becomes completely depleted because of attachment. This applies to anything. I just took a simple example of the glass, but it could be to anything—to money, to anything. Our main problem is that we get attached to various objects. And why do we get attached?

Two things are the cause of attachment. The two causes of attachment are I-ness and mine-ness. You want an object because you think you can get happiness from it. You then get attached to it. “It is mine. I own it.” I-ness and mineness are the root cause of all problems.

Swamis and Yogis also get into problems. “This is my Yoga Centre, my disciples, my money.” They also get attached, but to different things. The purpose of this life is to get rid of this problem. But we do not even know that we have it as a problem. We do not recognize the level of our attachment to things. Nor do we recognize the trap of attachment. Slowly Maya binds us.

Attachments can come slowly. We are not aware that they are slowly creeping up on us. The movement is very subtle. This is why an aspirant should have purity, so The astrological emagazine

he can understand and become aware of the subtle attachments, by which he can so easily be trapped. This problem is not because you are living in society. People who live in the Himalayas, the forest or in the jungles may not have attachment to the same objects as a city dweller, but they become attached to their kamandalus (water pot). They decorate them, put their initials on them, and become possessive or envious of another’s. Attachment is not about having or not having money, a house or a big car. You can get attached to even the smallest thing and the same problem, the same pain, will result.

What is the Solution?

The answer to this problem? It is called renunciation and it will take you to a painless state. If you want to remove pain and the problems of attachment, you must renounce. Now, many people misunderstand exactly what renunciation is. Renunciation is not having. If that is the case, you can go to Calcutta or any big city and you will see thousands of families living in the streets. They give birth and die on the streets. These people have nothing.

But does this mean that they are renunciates? They have nothing to get attached to. They have nothing, not even a roof. The street is their home.

No, in order to renounce, you must have something to renounce. If you want to get a divorce, you need a marriage first. Marriage is the first step towards divorce! In the same way, if you want to have something to renounce, you must have possessions. Then only can you renounce. The people on the Calcutta streets are not renunciates because they have nothing to renounce. First they must have an object. Then they slowly become attached to the objects.

At present they do not have anything. But not because they do not have desires. They have desires. They see people in their cars, in their homes. They have the desires but they know that these things are beyond their reach. So they have accepted their situation, appearing to be desireless.

In fact they are numb. But the desire is dormant, like a January 2016

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R. S. Maniam

With a string of titles and awards given by different groups for his proficieny in astrology, Mr. Maniam is a Medical Officer by profession. He has been honoured by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Baba and been the winner of the Nostradamus Award in 2010. He has had his spiritual training under Swami Bramma Sri Sivananda Maharaj, Ponnamaravathi, Puthukottai District, South India, Mr. Maniam, with an experience of over 25 years in the study of astrology, has contributed many articles to various journals on different aspects of mundane astrology. He attributes his initial learning to Dr. B. V. Raman’s books, later having studied under Mr. Muthuratina Bharathi.

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015 had the worst flood in history over the last hundred years. What led to the heavy downfall of rain in Tamil Nadu and what was the cause of this disaster?

With an increase of deaths that has likely crossed 500, the estimated damage is said to be three billion US dollars.

This year’s rain started on 8th November 2015 and was attributed to the yearly northeastern monsoon in the southern states of India.

Sunrise Chart on 8th November 2015 at Chennai The planetary arrangement was such that the eight planets were placed in four consecutive houses (Leo to Scorpio) causing the Nabhasa yoga also known as Shara yoga indicating cruelty and wickedness.

All planets are in between Jupiter and Saturn, major planets that are slow moving. This position is said to be fatal – Jupiter is in Leo 23d 49m in the constellation of Poorvabhadra 4th pada while Saturn is in the constellation of Anuradha 3rd pada. This transit is naidhana indicative of death and destruction.

Mars, Venus and Moon being associated with Rahu are also afflicted. Rahu and Venus are almost conjunct in the watery navamsa of Aquarius. Rahu associating with any planet causes Chandala Yoga.

The chart also reveals two new Moon points - the beginning of lunar month of Aswayuja in the sign of Virgo 25d 15m in the constellation of Chitta 1st pada and the lunar month of Kartika which falls in sign of Libra 24d 57m in the constellation of Visakha 2nd pada. The two lunar months occur within Jupiter and Saturn angles.

The astrological emagazine

Major flood November 1918 In 1918 a major flood occurred in Chennai. The planetary position in November 1918 showed Mars and Jupiter in mutual opposition in Gemini and Sagittarius axis. Also Rahu Saturn square is observed – Rahu in Scorpio and Saturn in Leo. Kartika month began at 17d 55m in the constellation of Swati 4th pada. 5 planets were in airy sign – Jupiter in Gemini and Moon, Venus, Mercury and Sun in Libra. It is interesting to note that the lunar month January 2016

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History of Twin Towers An Astrological Viewpoint Dr. E S Neelakantan Dr. Neelakantan is a Chartered Accountant and an Information Systems Auditor. As his interest in Astrology grew by going through the books of Dr. B. V. Raman, he formally learnt the nuances of the subject from Prof. K. V. Seshadrinatha Sastri, a well known scholar of Astrology and Ayurveda. With a doctorate awarded by Sri Chandrasekharendra University, Kancheepuram for his thesis on Medical Astrology, he is a regular contributor to The Astrological eMagazine and is proficient in Vedic chants too.

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he “Twin Towers” stand for the WTC Towers ,the World Trade Centre, a complex of seven large buildings in Manhattan, New York city, USA which opened on 4th April 1973 and collapsed on September 11,2001 in what could be called as the worst ever terrorist attack in world history. Passenger aircraft when used as guided missiles can be lethal – not only the buildings get destroyed along with the occupants but also the passengers have virtually no chance of survival, which is what the world realized in the aftermath of the tragedy. In this article, we will understand the story of Twin Towers with the lens of an Astrologer and in the process analyze what role Mundane Astrology had in this episode.

It was in 1943, the idea of establishing a World Trade Centre was proposed. Though plans to develop were finalized, it was put on hold till 1949. In the forties, it was only Mid-Manhattan which witnessed economic growth and this was the reason for the delay in implementation of this project. Minoru Yamasaki (01.12.1912 – 07.02.1986) was chosen as the architect and the design of Twin Towers was unveiled to the public on 18.01.1964. The architecture of Twin Towers closely follows the designs of “Le Corbusier” (06.10.1887-27.08.1965), a Swiss-French architect and designer, who is even now rated as one of the pioneers of Modern Architecture.

The Inauguration of the Twin Towers in the form of a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on April 4, 1973, at around 9 am. Striking feature of the chart is the presence of Venus as Lagna lord with 4th lord Sun in 11th indicating the grandiose designs of the builder and the worldwide sensation the tower has made since inauguration. The 9th house is studded with a Jupiter-Mars conjunction which in the case of an individual’s chart would give rise to Neecha-Bhanga raja yoga. But, as the saying goes “Every The astrological emagazine

cloud has a Silver lining”,but in this case the “Silver lining is not without clouds”.

1. Though Venus is exalted, it is also combusted.

Combustion means getting burnt. Could this have meant, the Twin Towers would get burnt down in the aviation fuel spilled by the aircraft, which crashed into the building?

2. Rahu in the 8th unaspected could seriously affect longevity in a chart and in this case, a skyscraper.

Further Rahu occupies a fiery sign,meaning destruction of the building would be on account of fire.

3. Moon, which is the fulcrum in any chart is in the 12th occupying the asterism of the fiery Ketu.

4. The Lagna lord in a common sign, with the 8th lord in a movable sign confers short span of longevity – this is Jaimini’s view.

5. If the Bhava chart were to be seen, only a solitary malefic, Saturn is in Lagna Kendra. There is no benefic in a Kendra – a sine quo non for a good Muhurtha.

Under these circumstances, a pertinent question, which any astrologer might raise is: “Is the Muhurtha for inauguration of Twin Towers seriously jinxed?”

In Muhurtha, we have a concept called Thithi-VaraNakshatraYogas. In Ayurveda, they say, independently honey and ghee are elixirs of life, but when mixed in equal proportion, they become poison. From this perspective let us look at the yoga for the day Thithi Nakshatra Vara (Weekday)

Dwitiya Aswini Wednesday January 2016

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Muhurtha S. K. Sethi

Swatantra Kumar Sethi is a resident of Bhopal and is a science and law graduate. A real estate agent also dealing in footwear, he is the Vice President of Bhopal Punjabi Samaj.

Sethi was recently honoured in Bhopal for his work in Jyotisha.

V

edic Astrology – Jyotisha – has always fascinated me since my childhood. Muhurtha or Electional Astrology (as Dr. Raman puts it) caught my interest. What is Astrology? Wikipedia observes it comprises several systems of divination based on the premise that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in this world. The Oxford Dictionary says Astrology is the study of movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.

Steven Forrest, an American astrologer, author and lecturer observed Astrology was just a finger pointing at reality.

Astrology is a balance of fate and freewill. While we do not have control over our fate, Astrology strengthens our freewill to turn events in our favour. For the common man/ woman, Muhurtha comes as an aid to better his/her life.

Wikipedia defines electional astrology as event astrology in which a practitioner decides on the most appropriate time for an event. It is distinct from horary astrology which seeks to find answers to a question based on the time the question was put. The astrologer finds a date and time auspicious for an event to take place.

One topic that comes under Muhurtha is the Panchanga where five ‘limbs’ – Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana – are looked into. The sub branches of these five limbs - Choughadia, Hora, Tarabala, Chandrabala, Rahukala and Yamagandakala, etc are referred to for daily activities. There are many yogas that can be referred to in the Panchanga and this is helpful when access to a reliable astrologer is not there. Muhurthas are generally required for venturing into business, house building and house warming, marriage, buying, selling etc.

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Jyotisha is a Shastra or science. What is a science?

Wikipedia defines science as a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Science also refers to that which can be rationally explained and reliably applied. Oxford dictionary defines science as the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

As a student of science I have always believed that there is a logical pattern in Muhurtha calculation. The apparent systematic pattern of the cycle of rotation of earth and planets around Sun in the solar system in terms of duration and angle is well known to the scientist and to the common man. In a similar manner there are definite astrological patterns too. We can easily grasp these patterns (science) behind Astrology when we see a snapshot of the different astrological tables as a pattern as opposed to text. For instance a geometrical square is clearer that a set of words that try to describe the geometrical form. Given below are tables in which we see a logical, systematic and uniform pattern. This scribe has been experimenting for the last couple of years and have taken auspicious and inauspicious (good and bad) as the basic parameters for the different heads.

We will start with the daily ‘Choughadia’, the most sought after astrological prediction table for daily affairs. The Hindu day starts from sunrise and ends with the sunrise on the next day. There are good and bad time slots of one and January 2016

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Turmeric Abhilash N

Abhilash N is a research scholar working on ethno botanical medicinal plants to treat cancer.

Has published research article related to anticancer, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective studies on traditional medicine in international scientific journals.

Plant

Turmeric

Botanical Name Curcuma longa Synonym

Curcuma domestica Valeton Sanskrit/Ayurvedic: Haridraa, Priyaka, Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri, Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini, Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini, Naktaahvaa, Sharvari.

Siddha/Tamil: Manjal Unani: Zard Chob.

Assamese: Holodhi Bengali: Halood; Holodi Gujarathi: Halad

Local Names

Hindi: Haldi Kannada: Arisina Malayalam: Kava; Manjal Mahrathi: Halad Oria: Haladi Punjabi: Haldi Tamil: Manjal Telegu: Pasupu Ayurveda relies on more than 8000 plant based remedies and using around 35,000-70,000 plant species. One among these is turmeric.

Brief Description

Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine by integrating the medicinal properties of the herb with food. Let us know some important facts about Turmeric.

The powder from dried rhizome of turmeric plant is a common spice, known mostly for its use in Indian dishes as a common ingredient in curries and other ethnic meals. In India usage of the powder of this rhizome as medicine, cookery, cosmetics and dying dates back to 2000 BCE. Early European explorers introduced turmeric to the Western world in the 14th century. Now this extraordinary herb has found its way into the spotlight in the east as well as west because of its wide range of medicinal benefits

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