Thursday, April 29, 2010

DISECTING THE WOMB OF VEDIC ASTROLOGY – An Investigation

A few years ago, I was attending a Hindu wedding in my home state of Kerala. Some one who has attended a Hindu wedding, at this part of the world will know the ceremonial rituals that take place prior and post to the main ceremony of “thali charthal” (tying the knot).

I noticed that even though the main events and ceremonies were completed, the marriage team had not been mobilized from the temple premises. Curiosity, one of the common qualities we sapiens share was invoked with in me, to question as in what was stopping the bride and groom to go to their destinations? It was then, an old lady from the mob said “they had to wait till 1’oclock so as to cross over Rahu kalam” aka “Rahu Kaal”. As per what she said, it was only after this time frame the newly wed couple can go to their dwelling.

Rahu and Kethu –
Genuinely the question will arise, what is Rahu?
When we observe the sun from the earth, it creates an illusion that the sun is revolving around the earth, now that science has proven it otherwise, I presume we do not require any further clarifications on that. We also know that Moon rotates around the earth. Both earth and moon are rotating in its own axis and there is a slight curve to the axis of these two “Star stuffs”. These (both) axis meet at two points and it is these imaginary points that we address as ‘Rahu’ and the other as ‘Kethu’. The reason why I called these imaginatory are because these points do not exist in the space, these are being made for the convenience of humans for deciphering various mysteries and only felt when we observe the sun and the moon from the Earth. Thus these points stay relative to our earth.

Now we know the culprits, who were delaying the bride and groom from entering their house. Sometimes I wonder, is it us who unquestioningly follow such rituals who are the real culprits. Strange is the power of illusion isn’t it. I did not have to study astrophysics to know about the sun, the moon and the earth.

“Chovva Dosham” aka “Maangalik” – (Effect of planet Mars on humans)
Mars is the fourth planet in our Solar system and is smaller in size comparing to our home planet. We can observe Mars as a red glowing dot in our sky. We have seen recently through our televisions sets, the surface of mars, covered with rocks and dust, when scientists from NASA had sent “Path finder” to Mars. Presently research is going on to find out any traces of life or chances of life spawning in Mars.

Then we wonder, can such a planet have any effect on us humans. I don’t know about the curiosity of the reader to know the truth, however I was very curious since I am a “Maangalik” (I came to know about this when my mom had secretly checked my “Jaathakam” AKA “Kundali” with an astrologer and she says she peeped into my future for which I am till date pissed off ). According to the ritualistic beliefs of the Hindus, a girl or boy with a Chovva Dosham has to marry a person with the same Dosham, if not adversities may arise and that relationship will not be fruitful. There are countless men and women who belong to this belief group who are not able to find a suitable partner. Not to forget other specifications or standards that a boy or a girl will have to go through to find their life partner - Religion, Caste, Jathi, Jaathakam and once the alliance gets filtered through all these parameters then there are other parameters like financial backgrounds, skin tone, skin tone of the parents (I have seen this too in some cases). Ladies and Gentlemen what we follow or observe here is absolutely not a natural thing, infact there is nothing natural about it. These are traits of a wicked cult which is busy dividing us on different names, classes and parameters.
Even when many fools in planet earth (the only known planet with life) is busy calculating the time frames and effects of far away planets on us, poor planets are still rotating the Sun, unknown on the atrocities many astrologers are committing in their name.

Nine planets and Vedic Astrology-

There are Nine planets in our Solar system (rather eight considering that Pluto cannot be called as a planet. It does not meet the specifications that a planet should have, many humans dislike throwing Pluto out of our solar system; sad news for them is Universe and Pluto does not care on what they like and dislike).

Now if I tell you that Astrology (used to tell our future) is based on nine planets, will that shock you for a moment? However what we address as planets in astronomy has nothing to do with Vedic astrological planets. Astrological planets are “Sooryan” , “Chandran” , ”Budhan”, “Shukran”, “Vyazham”, “Rahu”, “Ketu”,” Chovva” & “Shani”. In astronomy Sun is a Star, Moon is a satellite, there are no planets identified with the name of Rahu and Ketu. It will be a “Himalayan blunder” if someone says modern science has approved Astrology as a branch of science. According to Astrology Earth is in the middle and all the planets revolve around earth.

Well you are full liberty to question me, “What makes you say that Rahu and Ketu does not exist, what if science was not successful in identifying these planets until now”, very well I have previously explained what Rahu and Ketu are and more over there had been no evidences and experiments to support the calculations of astrology and the effects these stars, satellites, imaginary points and dwarf planets said to have on us. If it had been proved we would be studying it as a Theory. Astrology was the first attempt by humans to solve the mystery of the cosmos. Astrology is Pseudo science and Astronomy is Science.

Birth Star (Janma Nakshatram) –
What is a star? A massive luminous ball of hydrogen and helium which contains enough matter to sustain a nuclear fusion at its core. Many stars are thousands and millions of light years away from us. Billions and Billions of galaxies have Billions and Billions of stars. The nearest star we have is called Sun. Among billions and billions of galaxies and stars, there are a selected few stars which we can see. It is from such stars we outlined and concluded to 27 groups of stars which we know as – “Ashiwini, “Bharani”, “Karthika”, Rohini, “Mrigasira”, “Aridram”, “Purnavarsu”, “Pushyam”, “Aslesha”, “Magham”, “Poorvaphalguni, “Uttaraphalguni”, “Hastam”, “Chittira”, “Swati”, “Vishakham”, “Anuradha”, “Jyeshtam”, “Moolam”, “Poorvashadha”, “Uttarashadha”, “Sravanam”, “Dhanishtam”, “Satabisham”, “poornabhadrapadam”, “Uttarabhadrapadam” and “Revati”.

At the time of birth of a child, one of these 27 stars is associated as a Birth star of the child. According to astrology, at the time of birth which ever constellation the moon is nearer to is associated as the birth star of that child. The problem here arises when we try and understand the calculation, moon that we see is less than 2 light second away from earth however the constellations are hundreds or thousands of light years away from us, even though the wise men who manufactured this manual might not have known this fact, for them constellations seemed as clearly as the moon. Next problem arises, how our fate can depend on the far off constellations hundreds of light years away from us.

Planets and Gods –
Our ancestors (and some of them till date) used to worship Snakes, Lightning strikes, Wind, Rain, Sun, and Moon. They used to consider these as gods. With the development of science the godliness of these forces have faded away and we have been successful to a certain level in understanding the functioning of these natural forces. According to Astrology all the nine planets are forces which can reward as well as punish humanity. If we are to get rewards we have to make these planetary powers happy and make them stay that way.

Today astrology does not stand a chance against modern science but still it casts a wicked spell on many of our fellow sapiens. Many at times it is mere exploitation of illiterate people but from what I see many scientists, bollywood stars, doctors, engineers and achievers from different fields too have fallen for the tricks of Vedic astrology. I guess the astrologers who practice astrology very well realize their calculations and explanations does not make sense to any thinking person, no wonder such things manages to survive under the shade of Religion and Faith.

If astrology, Nakshatram, Rashis answers your questions and comforts you then keep believing in it, this is just another face of wishful thinking. I have a gift for those who dare to question such beliefs, Read any page from Stephen Hawking “A Brief history of Time” and that will make you understand how marvelous, magnificent and truly awe-inspiring the Universe is and I repeat The universe doesn’t care whether you understand it serve it or deny it.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dr Tharoor's Speech at Loksabha


"I rise to explain to you, the honourable members of this august House, my resignation from the Union Council of Ministers.

As a loyal public servant, I am conscious of the controversy over my involvement in the IPL issue was distracting Parliament from far more important business.

As I explained in my statement to the Lok Sabha on Friday, which I attempted to deliver to the Lok Sabha on Friday, and reiterated to the Prime Minister on Sunday, my conscience is clear, and I know that I have done nothing improper or unethical, let alone illegal.

Nonetheless, in view of the ongoing political controversy, I have no desire to be an embarrassment to the government, and I believe that my departure at this stage will allow the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues to focus on the great challenges facing our nation. Such a step is in the highest moral tradition of our democratic system, and in keeping with the standards that I'm sure we all wish to uphold in our nation's public life. I reckon the fact that this august House, of which the voters of Thiruvanthapuram have made me a proud member, has now moved on from the disruption we witnessed on Friday, to address the important issues which await consideration and to take the crucial decisions needed to promote the well being of the wonderful people of our great country.

Madam speaker, I am new to Indian politics, but I have a long record of public service unblemished by the slightest tint of financial irregularity. I am deeply wounded by the fanciful and malicious charges that have been made against me, and I have requested the Prime Minister to have these charges against me thoroughly investigated. I've led a life of personal integrity ...and it is important to me that my name is cleared.

Madam speaker. I returned to India after long years of international service, because I had always cherised the desire to make a difference in my own country. Growing up in India and then looking at it from abroad, I could see how much there is to be proud of in our land, and how much the Indian people deserve the best efforts of all who aspire to lead our great democracy.

I returned to India because I believe in an India of honesty and hard work, not of corruption and crookedness. I believe in an India of openness and straightforwardness, not of hypocrisy and double-dealing. I believe in an India where opportunities are available to all, and not just to a chosen few. I believe in an India of pluralism and diversity, not of religious bigotry and caste politics. I believe in an India that is secure in itself and confident of its place in the world, an India that is a proud example of tolerance, freedom and hope for the downtrodden. That India will only be built by the sincere efforts of all of us in this august House and outside it. This is the vision with which the voters of Thiruvantharapurm sent me to sit in your midst.

I am proud to represent the capital of Kerala, a state that in so many ways is a trailblazer for India's progress, though in other respects it seems to have been left behind in the race for 21st century development. The Keralite ethos, with its cultural unity and its religious diversity, its high educational standards and respect for democracy, its commitment to the empowerment of women, and the well-being of the poor, this ethos embodies the best of India.

Madam speaker, my heart swells with pride for India, and Keralite blood throbs in my veins. I should like to reiterate that it has been a great privilege for me to serve the Indian National Congress party, and the government of India. I shall always be grateful to the honourable Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance and the leader of my party, Srimati Sonia Gandhi, for the opportunity they have given me to be of service to our country. They have been two of the finest of that select band of great men and women who've dedicated their lives to the service of the people of our nation.

I have great confidence that under their leadership, the country is in good hands, and the Indian people can look forward to increasing security and prosperity in a troubled world. I should like to reiterate that it has been a great privilege for me to serve my party and now, to have served the government.

Today Madam Speaker, marks a new beginning for me, and I am heartened by the love, friendship and loyalty I have received from countless numbers of well-wishers in Thiruvantharapuram, across my home state of Kerala, and throughout our great country.

I am grateful for their support and encouragement, and I am determined to continue to do my best for India, and for the ideals that brought me back here. Thank you Madam Speaker. "