Grahas and Human Life:
I
deem it as my privilege to give here relevant excerpts on the subject
of astrology, from the lectures of the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetham (popularly known as "the Periyaval" on Hindu Dharma."The
condition of a man corresponds to the changes in the position of the
nine grahas. A human being does not enjoy happiness all the time nor
does he always suffer hardships - that is, he experiences a mixture
of happiness and sorrow. While he may be pushed up to a high position today, he may be thrust
down to the depths tomorrow. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. Establishments
too have their ups and down, so also nations." The sages saw a relationship between the position and movements of the planets
and the destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness experienced by him. There
is a branch of astrology called 'hora-skandha'. If we know the
planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise, with
its help, we should be able to find out how it would take shape, how
we would fare in it. If our horoscope is cast on the basis of the configuration of the
planets at the time of our birth, our fortunes over the entire period
of our life can be predicted." Different reasons are given for the ups and downs in a man's life, for his joys
and sorrows. It is similar to finding out the different causes of the
ailment he suffers from. [The physicians, mantravadins, pundits,
and psychologists will give different reasons.] ... All these different
causes may be valid. All of them go to create an experience. ...Many outward signs manifest themselves as the fruits of our past karma.
They are all related to one another. The course of planets governing
our life is in accordance with our karma. We come to know the consequences of our actions in previous births in
various ways. Astrological calculations help us to find out such consequences
as indicated by the heavenly bodies."
Navagraha Shanthi or Pariharas: