Your birth chart or Kundli can tell about your life patterns, and your past, present, and future events. Vedic Astrology deals with mathematical calculations and intuitive knowledge to understand how light affects the whole ecosystem of the universe. It is the ancient science of understanding “Light” or “Jyoti”.
Jyotish means, the light of “Ish” – God or Iswara. The Source of the light in the material world is the Sun, while in the spiritual world is “God” or “Self”. It is much deeper than what I am about to write here. This can help you understand a little about how Astrology is related to Karma and Destiny.
Vedic astrologers consider Sun as the significator of the Soul and the Moon for the Mind. Similarly, other planets also influence the mind of a person. It is due to the desire or attachments, Karmic bondage is created.
Vedic Astrology and Karma
The concept of Karma and Destiny is backed by many enlightened masters and philosophers from around the world. The quote by Sri Ramana Maharshi below is one of them.
Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent.
Sri Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi also said the rule of Karma applies to those who think they are the Body and Mind. The real self is always free.
Vedic astrology is one of the ancient tools to help accept the idea of destiny. Yoga and other philosophies also support this idea of Karma and Destiny. From the lens of modern science, we can look at it as Action and Result.
Karma works unbiasedly in this universe. This is like an absolute law that binds the whole universe or material world. Everything temporary in this universe is under the law of Karma. Interestingly, ancient sages found a way to guide ordinary human minds by creating astrological formulas backed by Vedic Philosophy.
A person’s birth chart can reveal clues about their past actions and their current level of spiritual development, as well as potential future opportunities and challenges. A learned Vedic astrologer can identify the karmic bondages of a person.
Many people consider astrology as a spiritual practice, but my understanding differs here. Using astrology as a predictive tool will make you mechanical, this will bind you more to Karma. Something that binds you is not spiritual.
A spiritual-minded person should use Vedic astrology only to understand and transcend the material world or the Mind. For, an inward-minded person, astrology can be a great tool to understand and accept how the external world controls our mind.
The placement of Planets in the birth chart can tell what is needed to be done for spiritual development. For example, if your Sun is placed with many planets in the same house, you are more likely to turn inward. But, such natives may have an unstable material life, and this might make them explore spirituality.
Just as Moon reflects the light of the Sun, our mind reflects the light of our soul. In Vedic astrology, Sun is the significator of the soul and the Moon is the natural significator of the Mind. All other planetary radiations become insignificant when they are close to Sun.
The mind is very important in the journey of self-realization or spiritual progress. It is both, the blockage and aid for spiritual development, this is why the Mind needs to be carefully observed. This is why the Moon chart is also analyzed in Vedic astrology.
Bondage is when the mind longs for something, grieves about something, rejects something, holds on to something, is pleased about something, or displeased about something.
Liberation is when the mind does not long for anything, grieve about anything, reject anything, or hold on to anything, and is not pleased about anything or displeased about anything.
Bondage is when the mind is tangled in one of the senses, and liberation is when the mind is not tangled in any of the senses.
Ashtavakra Gita (8.1-8.3)
Only a strong or pure mind can become free from attachments, this is not easy to achieve. Until we do not understand what is needed to be done, our mind keeps producing less important thoughts. All thoughts are the action and there will be consequences. In one sense, Karma is the result of a thought.
Until we do not achieve control over our minds, using Vedic astrology for self-improvement is highly beneficial. It is something like looking in the mirror to boast confidence before facing the crowd.
When our senses are not in our control, it is an external matter that triggers our minds and produces more thoughts. Vedic astrology considers planetary radiations as important external factors that affect our thoughts. This is why mental strength is very important to take control of our senses.
The knots of heart are let loose by Jnana (Knowledge) and the knots are knit more by Karma. So how can they be reconciled? They are so very diametrically opposite. Darkness and light cannot be brought together, so Jnana and Karma cannot be brought together. Therefore one ought to do all the Karmas as best as one can, as enjoined in the Vedas until one gets the purification of one’s heart and mind.
Srimad Devi Bhagavatam (Devi Gita)
Accepting Destiny
Jyotish or astrologers understand the strengths and weaknesses of the person. Acceptance is a very important act that unblocks the potential of the human mind. This can be a great aid for personal growth in the material world.
One can relate the birth chart to past events and personal experiences. This is where acceptance starts.
I do not recommend accepting anything without personal experience, this is blind faith. Doubts need to be cleared with clear logical answers and experience. This is why Astrology should be used only as an aid to self-reflection and personal growth.
Those who seek astrological guidance can slowly understand and start to accept the idea of Karma and destiny. This will take time; life events and experiences act as validation.
When we understand our karma, we achieve the freedom to accept the idea of “Prarabdha” and “Karma”. This is where spirituality starts if one genuinely starts an inquiry.
This is where the “Shaping our Destiny” starts. Remember, “Karma” and “Destiny” is all about this material world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, astrology can be a valuable tool for self-discovery and self-acceptance. By understanding the patterns revealed in our birth chart, we can gain insight into our strengths and challenges. This understanding can help us make positive changes and move forward in a fulfilling direction.
It is important to remember that astrology should not be relied on solely as a predictive tool, but rather as a way to gain insight and understanding into the external world. By using astrology for spiritual growth, we can begin to accept our destiny and make progress on the journey toward self-realization.