Always Delighted by Understanding Impermanence – The blessing of the 7th lord in the 5th house

In Parashara’s Encyclopedia of Astrology (Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra), the great Vedic seer illustrates the nature of what various astrological placements promote for an individual who has those placements in their birth chart. A very useful section is his depiction of images conveying the nature of what arises for people with various house lords occupying various houses.

In particular one placement really catches my attention today. He says:

If the 7th lord is in the 5th house, the native will be always delighted.

“Always delighted” means one understands that sense gratification is not tremendously important. Why is this the meaning? Because, the 7^th house represents the setting sun and disappearance. The 5^th house is one’s intellect. When the 7^th lord is in the 5^th house the implication is that one is better able to understand the impermanent nature of things. Therefore one becomes detached from sense gratification, the idea that happiness and pleasure comes as a result of contact with “desirable” temporary objects.

Sense gratification – the idea of exploiting things for senory pleasure – is itself inevitably always the source of grief, because there are only three possible outcomes:

1. One cannot obtain sufficient contact with the object of desire = grief.
2. One obtains sufficient contact with the object, but it does not live up to its attractive appearance = grief.
3. One obtains sufficient contact with the object, it is all that one hoped for, but it dies, breaks, or wears out and one loses it = grief.

Therefore by intelligently understanding the impermanent nature of the world and thus becoming less enamored of exploiting its temporary objects, one becomes more free from sources of grief. Thus one is “always delighted.” That is the idea conveyed by this quotation.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

Astrology and Bhakti? Is Karma Relevant to Spiritualists?

Student: Before I studied astrology with you, I thought that it could never predict spiritual things since spiritual things transcend karma. But reading your descriptions of Prabhupada and Aindra’s horoscopes shows me this is not the case.

Vic: Yes, excellent question. It is important to have a clear and conclusive understanding of this topic. The question raises itself not only in relation to the charts of spiritualists like Aindra Ji and Prabhupada, but even more deeply in relation to the horoscopes of incarnations of Godhead such as Krsna, Rama, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Student: Yes yes! I told a devotee about your reading for Krishna‘s chart and they told me, “He shouldn’t do that.”

Vic: The vaishnava-shiromani (the jewel on the grown of devotional spiritualists) Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti told me the positions of the planets in Krsna’s horoscope, in his commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam. Am I to conclude he told me these because I should not consider them carefully? That would be silly, right? One who can understand Krsna better and explain about Krsna to others by examining those positions outlined by Vishvanatha should do so. That is Krsna Katha (discussion of Krsna, a major practice of devotional spiritualism), isn’t it?

Student:

Vic: Bhaktivinode Thakur gives the Horoscope of Sriman Mahaprabhu in his commentary on Caitanya Caritamrta. Should some relatively neophyte devotee say that it is improper to study the planetary positions of spiritual beings in the face of Vishvanath and Bhaktivinode doing so?

Student: Amazing.

Vic: Vaishnav-aparadha (needlessly criticizing a devotee) is much worse that being ill informed or neophyte, so I should really watch my mouth and not offend any devotee who feels that astrology has no place in Krsna Consciousness. But I have explained the reasons why I myself would not accept that conclusion. Even in this I have offended Vaishnavas and so should be very careful to state clearly that I respect their devotional sentiment although I quietly and humbly hold to a different conclusion on this particular subject, and humbly request their consideration of my opinion.

Student: Yes.

Vic: Anyway, let me answer your question before class time runs out.

Student: Yea!

Vic: The question is answered from two angles. From one angle the answer pertains to when the influence of bahiranga-maya (the potency facilitating ignorance) ceases to have karmic influence over a spiritualist. From the second angle the answer pertains to how antaranga-maya (the potency facilitating the enlightened state) acts within the material sphere.

Student: I see.

Vic: Lets cover the first angle first.

Student: OK.

Vic: Right from the very beginning of devotional spiritual practices (sadhana-bhakti) the effects of karma begin to dissipate. There are four stages of karma: unmanifest (aprarabdha), inclinations (kutam), actions (bijam) and manifest reactions (prarabdha).

When ones spiritual practices dawn on perfection one attains the level of bhakti-yoga termed bhava-bhakti. At this stage only manifest reactions remain (prarabdha). There is still karma acting even at the stage of Bhava-Bhakti, but it has no significant momentum. It is only the shell of the final reactions of a soul’s karma. Thus the bhakta at this level continues to exist in a body and in the material world – this is the extent of the prarabdha karma.

When pure love of godhead becomes absolutely integrated into the spiritual ego one attains the level of bhakti yoga termed prema-bhakti. At this point the bhakta is physically reborn into the activities of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as they are currently being manifest in one of the material universes. Certain experiences of separation from Krsna during that final transitional birth cause the last whiffs of the final shreds of prarabdha karma to disappear, and at that level one attain a fully transcendental existence, form, residence, etc.

Student: Awh yess, i seee.

Vic: So, to put it plainly, the extent that one is not yet in Krsna-lila – the extent to which one is not actually interacting in tangible reality with Krsna – that is the extent to which karma (and thus astrology) still holds potential sway over the person.

For practical purposes it can be said confidently that one at the level of bhava-bhakti is sufficiently freed of karma, and have no measurable need to care for its effects. Therefore they have no real need to concern themselves with astrology. Stretching it a bit further, we can extend this immunity to karma/astrology even to the spiritual practitioners who are beginning to acquire asakti (devotional addictions) and ruci (devotional enjoyments) as a result of performing their sadhana (practices) on the platform of nishta.

In short the degree to which one has attained realization of krsna-prema is exactly proportionate to the degree to which karma (and therefore astrology) becomes meaningless to one.

Student: I see.

Vic: There is no reason to limit this to Astrology. To the degree that one attains prema, in the equal degree one will have no need for material support in their spiritual efforts, whether from astrology, social institutions, or religious practices of particular varnas (social roles) and ashramas (spiritual roles).

That is the first angle on answering the question. Is that much clear so far?

Student: Yeah. It is so far.

Vic: The second angle on the question is that Krsna appears in this world, ya know? In it. That is why he comes through the agency of Ksirodakshayi Vishnu (the supreme lord of the material universe). And this is why karma of this world moves into a particular astrological alignment to make it possible to manifest krsna-lila (Krsna’s pastimes) here within the material sphere.

Student: Ahhh!

Vic: I mean, isn’t this exactly what Vishnu told Brahma when Brahma went with the demigods and Bhumi (the Earth Goddess) to ask for an incarnation to happen!? Vishnu told Brahma, “OK, I am going to incarnate in the Yadu dynasty. Now, all of you demigods make the preparations and take your places.”

Right?

Student: Mhm.

Vic: The navagraha (Nine Planets) are demigods, you know. They too listened to this order from Vishnu and fulfilled it.

Student: Ahh.

Vic: So the second angle on answering this question is that karma can act under the direction of yogamaya (the potency that facilitates not ignorance but the enlightened state). When Krsna appears in the world, yogamaya takes over the functions of universal karma to make it possible for spiritual reality to manifest within the material sphere.

Not just for Krsna but also for parama-siddhas like Srila Prabhupada, you can say that the karma in his chart is an orchestration of yogamaya to facilitate and manifest the lila (activities) that Krsna wanted and needed Prabhupada to manifest.

Okay?

Student: I’m understanding now.

Vic: Great! That is my job, and my pleasure.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

© 2010 Vic DiCara, All Rights Reserved

Bickering about Money & Astrology

Image via Wikipedia

He says: “I want to buy your books and perhaps take your courses. Please tell me your astrological credentials qualifying you to be my teacher.”

I answer: I have no credentials outside what you can see and hear in my books, articles, videos, etc.

Him: Well who did you study with, who taught you? When did you start studying?

Me: As it says on my site, I began studying Vedic knowledge in 1990. It included astrology summarily and more deeply many principles on which astrology is based. I did not begin specifically studying astrology in this lifetime until 2007. I do not have one specific teacher, besides the paramatma who manifests through all people. I learned most of what I know by the mercy of paramatma (Supersoul) and the knowledge I acquired in past lifetimes.

Him: Thanks. I think I’ll  save my money and I’ll get a good teacher. If you studied Vedic knowledge then you should know the need of having a qualified guru.

Me: Please pursue the path you desire to pursue. No one can or should do otherwise. I have the most qualified Guru, Sri Srimad Dhanurdhara Swami Maharaja of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya.

Him: I meant Jyotish Guru.

Me: As I said from the beginning I learned Jyotish mystically by the grace of Paramatma coming through my Gurudev. You place too much value on measurable and official credentials and relationships. I have studied the practical details of astrology with various astrologers, though none formally. As I said from the start, my “credentials” are what you can see and hear directly for yourself in my textbooks, articles, videos. etc. The proof is in the pudding.

Him:  In my research I have found that the best astrologers do not charge for their teaching but tend to be selective of their students. They are careful about keeping the tradition pure and not willing to compromise for a few bucks.

Me: Please find an astrologer who will teach you for free. You have my best wishes.

Him: But why are you selling Vedic knowledge? To sell Vedic knowledge (other than books) by teaching for money is loaded with negative karma both for the buyer and the seller.

Me: I am not “selling knowledge” so much as taking care of my basic need to survive. I have a wife and two children and we need to pay bills.

Him: One should earn money dharmicly. As Lopamudra said to Agastya when she wanted to have children and they were living as tapasvis in the forest, “Go and earn money in such a way that is within dharma.” What you are doing is not within dharma.

Me: To live as an astrologer is my best attempt to practice a more brahminical dharma. You are free to sit on your armchair and criticize me, but I am doing the best I personally can – and frankly I am not ashamed in the least, for it is my opinion that I am making an excellent and noble effort.

You claim that it is immoral and sinful for a teacher to be paid!? How absurd you are. In Vedic culture as in any other culture, teachers are amply paid. In Vedic culture the teacher takes “dakshin” from the student, there is nothing immoral about it. If I give you 16 hours of my life to teach you, you must reciprocate and care for your teacher. Certainly you do not imagine that this is antithetical to the Vedic way?

Him: That is a rationalization. Guru Dakshine is given at the end of the teaching and to the best of the ability of the student to a qualified guru. It is not a fee as you are doing.

Me: Meanwhile, the student lives in the gurus house, doing laundry, cleaning the house, collecting firewood, begging for food, etc. etc. That is the “Vedic” way. If you wish to come live in a small room I have downstairs, do our laundry, collect food for us to eat, clean our house, etc., etc. – I will be happy to teach you astrology and everything else you wish to know. And at the end of this teaching you may give me whatever dakshin donation you are able to give.

It is simpler to pay $400 for 8 classes or $800 for 16 classes. But, if you would like to be very “vedic” about it, I will accept your offer.

Image via Wikipedia

- Vic DiCara (Vraja Kishor das)

www.vicdicara.com

Only a spiritually uneducated person would think that Bhakti does not posses the power to bestow the final fruits of any and all other paths of spiritual development, Vedic and even non-vedic, and even spiritual or non-spiritual. Since Bhakti is the supreme yoga, the supreme goal, she can EASILY and effortlessly bestow any fruit of any path. Therefore only the uninformed would cling to an opinion that a bhakta with an initiation into shuddha-bhakti would not have access to all the final rewards of studying something simple and petty (in comparison to bhakti) like jyotisham. By the grace of the dust left over from the pinky toe of a footstep of Srimati Bhakti Devi, anyone can understand in a millisecond what it would take years and decades of dedicated and arduous study to understand via learning from a Jyotish Guru who is not a Vishnu Bhakta. Therefore only an ignorant person would insist that I must have a “Jyotish Guru.” All glories to bhakti devi.

God Created the World in 7 Days? Whats up with “7 Days”?

The Bible says, and I guess I might be paraphrasing, “God created the world in 7 days.” That is sort of interesting since we have a “week” which lasts 7 days. Why does the week last 7 days???

The answer is in heaven. No, not the “pearly gates” – in the actual sky, the “heavens.” There are 7 days in a week because there are 7 lights in the sky that move around while all the rest of the lights up there stay put in their relative positions:

1. The Sun
2. The Moon
3. Mercury
4. Venus
5. Mars
6. Jupiter
7. Saturn

And so we have one day for each planet.

1. The Sun has Sunday
2. The Moon has Monday
3. Mercury has “Mercoledì” – influenced by the Norse language became “Wednesday”
4. Venus has “Venerdì” – “Friday” by Norse influence.
5. Mars has “Martedì” – “Tuesday” by Norse influence.
6. Jupiter has “Jovedi” – “Thursday” from the Norse influence.
7. Saturn has Saturday

OK, so why are they out of order? Because it is complicated. I will try to explain it simply.

• Step 1: Order the planets from slowest moving to fastest moving and you get this: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon.
• Step 2: Split the day into 24 “hours”, give one hour to each planet in the above order, starting from Sunrise.
• Step 3: When the first day is done you will be partially through the third cycle of the order of planets from slowest to fastest. Don’t restart, keep going. Start the next day with the planet who naturally follows in order.
• Step 4: The planet ruling the hour of Sunrise is the planet who rules the day. The day is named after that planet

And that explains it.

So the first day would be Saturn’s day (Saturday). The last planet to rule an hour on Saturday is Mars (do the pencil work matching each planet to each hour in the order of slowest to fastest and you will see why). The next planet in the natural speed order after Mars is the Sun. So the Sun rules the hour of the next Sunrise, the next day. So the next day after Saturday is Sunday.

If you pencil it out you will see that the planet ruling the hour of the next sunrise is the Moon – so the next day is “Monday.” And so on and so forth you will see the familiar order of the weekdays unfold.

Creating the World in 7 Days

Each of these 7 planets is responsible for one specific aspect of reality. So all seven of them together make the complete creation.

1. Sun = Awareness, identity (Ego)
2. Moon = Experience, reflection, opinion, emotion. (Mind)
3. Mercury = Conceptualization and communication (Intellect)
4. Venus = Sensual experience (the Body of senses)
5. Mars = Energy, Passion (Ambition)
6. Jupiter = Morals (Guidance)
7. Saturn = Limitations of reality (Grief)

This is what it really means to say, “God created the world in 7 days.”  Well, who am I to say what it “really” means. But this is the only way it makes great sense as far as I know or care to know right now. The statement is telling you that there are seven parts to existence, each one overseen by a specific planetary force, and that taken altogether these seven forces are the complete “creation” of the material universe.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

© 2010 Vic DiCara, All Rights Reserved