Astro-NOT

"Love marriage, business problem, job problem, home problem, divorce, husband-wife problem, court matter, property matter, black magic, Jadoo Tona--Your problems solve in 3 days"
Open challenge-Baba Shah Ji, Ajmeer wale

This was a small pamplet glued on many BMTC buses. What makes people believe their problems will get solved in three days and seek help from these fraudsters?

I don''t believe in Astrology. Period. It is being passed on as science and I'm not the one to fall prey for that. Growing up with Ammamma (maternal grandmother) is one of the two reasons for me to be a rational person. She married off her five daughters without consulting the horoscope.  All the marriages celebrated Silver Jubilee and some even reaching 40 years. And the most amazing thing is Ammamma get to witness this.

Once I asked her the reason for her disbelief. She told me an incident or rather a small story. Once upon a time, there was a famous astrologer. He was consulted for almost everything by all and sundry. He married off his two daughters at a very young age (child marriage) and they continued to stay with him as child widows. An authority on Astro failed miserably at predicting his daughters' future. This was during early 70's or late 60's. I thought it over and found it to be reasonable.

Another is translated book of Abraham Kovoor's 'Gods, Demons and Spirits (Devaru, Devva, Vijnana-Kannada). It blows away all your beliefs in to thin air. His challenge for 1,00000 rupees was neither questioned nor accepted by famous/infamous God-men, astrologer, or psychic experts. He started the rationalist movement and the "challenge" is still open even three decades after his death. Doesn't it make one wonder why in a country full of godly men, astrologers, spiritual leaders, psychic specialists couldn't accept this simple challenge. A wise man/woman will understand in an instant. I'm trying to get hold of the original book now.

Kovoor's book was given to me by my dad who like to have on-and-off tryst with astrology himself. This is one of the reasons I respect him most. He gives a book which ridicules all God, devil, demons, and all that nitty-gritty.  He wanted me to make a conscious decision for myself about it, not imposing his beliefs on me. That is how I became the rational person I'm today.

It takes monumental efforts from me not to judge a person full of blind beliefs. Schooling clearly is not much of a help here. If the scientists were to start all discoveries based on  time and horoscope, human race wouldn't have reached where it is today. Most of so-called educated are accustomed to cherry pick modern technology and reek of blind believes. I agree practicing is one's personal choice and I'm cool with it. However, when that choice starts stifling someone's life, it is not choice anymore, it becomes imposition
and there I will be having problem and that makes my blood boil. 

Another thing that gained a lot of popularity in the last decade is Vastu (A traditional Hindu system of Architecture). I'm a person who likes a house bright and airy. I strongly believe home is the place where heart is. Now who can tell me how the place where I shit (sorry for the vulgarity) makes me rich/poor, healthy/sick, happy/sad? I just need good digestive system and good bowel movement. You get the drift right?

PS: "I don't believe in astrology; I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical"-Arthur C. Clarke