Jyotish had been making its home on a YOYO! It has gone up and down and again up and down and again and again! No wonder because it is about cycles!

For most of its existence, at least what we know of about that -- Jyotish has been closely associated with devotion and the devotional aspects, the religious aspects of Hinduism, of Aryadharma at least in India. For a long time it has been looked after, encoded, taught, practiced by priests and the priestly classes and the trend continues even today for the most part. There have been a few anomalies though, in the last 100 years or less. Hindus but not brahmins, the priest class, and non hindus and converted hindus and even an atheist or two have taken up jyotish and served it to the best of their capabilities. While some individuals may have felt violated, consecrated and at the very least uncomfortable with this changing scene and status quo, jyotish has never stopped smiling upon or blessing and opening its generous heart to anyone who approached it with sincerity and industry!

How have the religious leaders of India taken to Jyotish? Most of the realized ones that have made world news, hailing from India have tended to be Brahmins. Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Vivekananda, the Shankracharyas and the list goes on and on, modern and ancient. A few "outliers" shine brilliantly though! Yogananda was not a brahmin, nor was Rajneesh in a sense (or mainstream Hindu for that matter) and certainly not Maharshi Mahesh Yogi who left for the heavenly abode very recently.

While Yukteshwar Giri (of the Yukteshwar ayanamsha fame -- a great example of how worldwide rumours get perpetuated as I have written endlessly!) was very much into astrology. Belief though must be separated from knowledge, no disrespect intended!

His disciple Yogananda, a non-brahmin by birth but a revered guru worldwide was not much in favour of astrology, as per his writings. His sights were aimed much higher!

Rajneesh from what I know did not believe in astrology or ever endorsed it strongly. Rajneesh was a jain muni and then became Osho the Zen monk. Lots of transformations and a beautiful study material for astrologers!

Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, another interesting life to study was not born a brahmin and I recall back in old days that being a big big problem for some (brahmins) in India to accept his spiritual authority. As life unfolded, MMY as he is often fondly referred to as set his stamp all over the world, with Beatles and many many others who followed his tow over the decades. Either he or his chelas were very particular about contamination and that is how the Maharshi branding started. There were Maharshi Ayurveda products, Maharshi Hinduism, Maharshi meditation and even Maharshi Jyotish! Very popular in the high northern hemisphere these brands of purity prevail all around the world in small and big packets. Some of the most wonderful writings, products and ascetic knowledge has emanated from Maharshi Mahesh Yogi's camp and campers. Some names and products include: Parashara's Light program, the original Jyotish list, Deepak Chopra and reemergence of Ayurveda in North America and Europe, and more.

There is also the Hare Krishna movement that has generated some interest in jyotish, particularly through Goravani Jyotish (not sure where that is these days -- but an epochal product and jyotish milestone).

IN OTHER WORDS, SPIRITUAL GURUS AND SELF-REALIZED MAHAYOGIS HAVE ALL BEEN ALL OVER THE MAP WHEN IT CAME TO BLESSING JYOTISH THE NAUGHTY ENIGMA OF GOD'S CREATION!! Even BIG GUYS could not figure it out and either embraced it, shunned it or tried to turn it into a salable product! Sometimes CONSTANT never changes!

This is not a ramble down the memory lane or remembering recent history! When God smiles upon any of us, He does not ask us for our origin, our alliance or allegience, our blood-line, etc. Which parent does, for that matter?

RR,
      Did you read KNR's analysis of Yogananda's chart on his website. I quote from his article below.

Excerpt from K N Rao's analysis of Paramhamsa Yogananda

Begin Quote

A Terrible Misconception

In the Autobiography, Yogananda praises astrology quoting his Guru’s words and there are references to Graha Shanti (propitiation of planets) done by Yogananda himself by wearing a ring and getting a piece of gemstone for his system. If some stupid astrologer saw three marriages in his horoscope and he tore it off, out of anger, it was the fault of a wrong astrological reading and not Yogananda’s denunciation of astrology.

In the USA, I came across some members of the SRF group who told me that Yogananda had not believed in astrology. They should read the book properly and change their opinion. No true Yogi or swami can speak of the India’s eternal spiritual heritage and not accept astrology.


End Quote

hope this helps

regards,

Proj

[quote="projenator"]RR,
      Did you read KNR's analysis of Yogananda's chart on his website. I quote from his article below.

Excerpt from K N Rao's analysis of Paramhamsa Yogananda

Begin Quote

A Terrible Misconception

In the Autobiography, Yogananda praises astrology quoting his Guru’s words and there are references to Graha Shanti (propitiation of planets) done by Yogananda himself by wearing a ring and getting a piece of gemstone for his system. If some stupid astrologer saw three marriages in his horoscope and he tore it off, out of anger, it was the fault of a wrong astrological reading and not Yogananda’s denunciation of astrology.

In the USA, I came across some members of the SRF group who told me that Yogananda had not believed in astrology. They should read the book properly and change their opinion. No true Yogi or swami can speak of the India’s eternal spiritual heritage and not accept astrology.


End Quote

hope this helps

regards,

Proj[/quote]

Dear Proj,

Have you yourself read Autobiography of a Yogi, by Yogananda?

Always go to the source when it is so readily available in a language you know and understand

Remember my oft-repeated post about the telephone game in which a message is whispered into another ear and on and on it gets transmitted and when we compare the original with the 20th interpretation, our jaw drops!

Jyotish adwait ka vigyan was spoken by rajneesh,here is the discourse

http://www.oshoworld.com/discourses/audio_hindi.asp?album_id=73


here is what rajneesh speaks of astrology

http://www.oshoworld.com/osho_now/speaks_topics.asp#astr

[quote="AMANUSH-FORCE"][quote="rohiniranjan"]

Rajneesh from what I know did not believe in astrology or ever endorsed it strongly. Rajneesh was a jain muni and then became Osho the Zen monk. Lots of transformations and a beautiful study material for astrologers!


This is not a ramble down the memory lane or remembering recent history! When God smiles upon any of us, He does not ask us for our origin, our alliance or allegience, our blood-line, etc. Which parent does, for that matter? [/quote]
[b]

Jyotish adwait ka vigyan was spoken by rajneesh,here is the discourse

http://www.oshoworld.com/discourses/audio_hindi.asp?album_id=73


here is what rajneesh speaks of astrology

http://www.oshoworld.com/osho_now/speaks_topics.asp#astr

[/b][/quote]

Thank you AF!

Rajneesh/OSHO was an original thinker and I had always lamented that he did not endorse astrology. I am assuming that your links indicate otherwise and this would make my day really once I get an opportunity to listen to your GIFT!

Until then, Thank you for sharing