From time to time we hear vexed reminders from Rishi and other moderators that threads undergo drift (inevitably) from the original topic. Partly due to people branching into related topics that then drift into topics and discussions which have no obvious connections to the original topic. If one were to patiently trace the branching they may be able to see the connection and continuity and relevance but few have the time or interest. Even those who are interested, when they return from a trip or vacation and are suddenly faced with scores of messages, it is easy to see them becoming overwhelmed and as Rishi pointed out, it appears like people are chatting (way better than chanting, if you ask me!).

It is futile to think that the trend will change. There are very few on a forum like this who are serious in my view! Serious astrologers/students take the time and make the effort to study BOOKS and practice with charts before they start pelting others with astro-theories and what KNR calls Romantic Astrology! Those whose sole jyotish education depends on rehashed or original articles on the web etc are doing so at a risk of learning the subject improperly and in bits and pieces. It is amazing how few astrology buffs have bothered to sit patiently through even a few books such as BPHS, and writings of Kalidas, Dhundiraj, Varahamihira, Mantreshwar, Satyacharya, Jaimini etc. So predictably, discussions start and soon the capacity of contributors is exhausted or we end up with several divergent opinions often based on personal and subjective interpretations and quotations from other astrologers who have offered their opinions and bottom lines without actually trying to explain the rationale behind their theories or opinions. Part of this is the time it takes to condense the thinking which may have developed over the years.

In the past the journals and magazines of jyotish were considered areas of practical and advanced discussion. These days, the editors tell us that their readers cannot understand basics like charakaraks, bhav padas, bhavat bhavam etc. All they know are the sensationalistic terms of KSY, Mangal Dosh, Shani Dhaiya, sadesati, melapak. Even ashtakavarga the technique specified by Parashara for Kaliyuga, if mentioned, makes other jyotish students go into instantaneous vakra gati (retrogression).

My open challenge to all jyotish afficianados here to show me/us/all that they can concentrate on the topic and keep focused no matter what kinds of distractions come across their path and to do this without displaying a short fuse or getting abusive or personally disrespectful! Without this kind of intense concentration and fixity of purpose no meaningful jyotish would get done by anyone! Unless you are intuitive and in that case you have wasted a lot of money in buying the computer, jyotish software and gigabytes of legitimate or clandestinely scanned texts! You never needed these because these were Dumbo's feather to you (Walt Disney TM)

I will now be quiet and watch

RR

Thank You Rohiniji for providing an aerial view of things.

Somehow we all learn something from astrology.Surely  technically we ( I) may know nothing and actually lack the knowledge of the famous scriptures and books ( hence mostly silent spectators on this forum).But sometimes some notes/words strike a chord with real life and hence the chatting. Maybe Astrology does offer me something more/different.

I went to Wikipedia and read about Dumbo and his feather.Interesting story ( again fits into real life very well)

I shall quieten up now because this is the thread of serious astrology.Politely ignore my post.

Regards