ASTROLOGY IS BIG BUSINESS IN INDIA

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 5

ASTROLOGY IS BIG BUSINESS IN INDIA

(N.Z.P. A. -Reuter) NEW DELHI. India’s astrologers say that the year 1966—0 r 2030 according to their ancient Hindu calendar —will prove to be a time of “siddhardi”, or fulfilment, for the Indian people.

For themselves, if their present popularity holds good, astrologers can safely predict a bright and prosperous future.

Their prophesy that last year would prove a “Krodhi,” or angry year, has impressed a public with a series of national catastrophes fresh in mind.

India boasts many calendars, all dating back to different eras of Hindu history. They disagree on dates. One, for instance, says that the year is 1140 and another, the officially adopted Saka calendar, declares that it is 1888. Most of them agree in putting the New Year in March or April. According to the Vikram calendar, used by many astrologers, the year ended on March 22. The preceding 12 months, inauspicious in the astrologers’ view, brought with them failure of the crops, the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistan war, the death of the Prime Minister, Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri, and two major crashes of Indian civil aircraft in which 154 people were killed. Astrologers built up their reputation in India by serving emperors, kings and Maharajahs, who often built elaborate observatories for them. Now, they have extended

their influence to India’s present rulers.

Several Cabinet Ministers, including the Home Minister, Mr Gulzarilal Nanda, are known to consult astrologers, especially about the timing of journeys and important speeches. An astrologer was present at the swearing-in of Mrs Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet last January, invited by one of the Government leaders taking part. Asked if many of the politicians in the capital consulted one or other of his profession, one well-known Delhi astrologer replied: “Those who do not consult us make a shorter list.”

Mr Nanda, questioned recently in Parliament about his relations with a prominent astrologer, Mr Haveli Ram, replied in a letter to the Speaker that Mr Haveli Ram was his family astrologer and came from the same region of West Punjab.

“In Hindu households it is part of a long tradition to have the horoscopes of children cast and consult the purohit (family priest) about the timing of ceremonies or important events,” Mr Nanda said. “I have promoted research in the subject and my interest in it extends beyond the ceremonial aspect. It is largely a matter of scientific inquiry.” Brahmins’ Preserve

Astrology is the traditional preserve of the Hindu “brahmin,” or priest. The brahmin has six main duties for which he may accept a fee: to sacrifice and make others sacrifice; to study and make others study; and to give charity and make others give charity. His other two hobbies, or part-time occupations, are “ayurveda,” the science of old age or medicine, and the study of the stars. By tradition, he may not accept a fee for either as the colour of money is supposed to tarnish the intuition which he needs for the task.

But modem specialisation has changed all that. Astrology is a thriving business. all over India. In Delhi, the two major astrologers are housed in modern office buildings and can boast around turnovers estimated at about £15,000.

They advertise in telephone directories and in the professional columns of newspapers. Some of them, “given gold medals by maharajahs and judges,” give a tele hone number so that they may- be able “instantly to answer your baffling questions with helpful hints.” On a humbler level, marketplace stargazers do a flourishing trade, and many offer their services outside large hotels, usually whetting their client’s appetite with remarks about his “fortunate face.” Sidelines Many astrologers have sidelines in publishing almanacs and calendars showing in red type against each day the times which are not auspicious for travel. India’s sceptics deliberately choose to travel at these times to be

sure of getting a seat on the the train.

Other publications include “fertility charts” for working out from peoples’ horoscopes their degree of compatibility in marriage and the number of children they will have—a subject on which astrologers are most frequently consulted by ordinary people.

Whatever the disasters of the last 12 months porte ts for the coming year appear good. One astrologer has said that for the Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, a Cancer subject like her father, Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, it will be a bumper year for achievements.

“Her sign of the zodiac means that she waxes and wanes like the moon,” he added. “She will be equally at home in East or West.” But if Mrs Gandhi takes after her father, she will not rely on the stars for success. His attitude to astrologers’ predictions was summed up in a statement to Parliament in 1956, when he said: “The Government of India does not fashion its policies according to the sun, the moon or the stars.”