Inspiration

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Varahamihira

"Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy

evidence of the fact." - George Eliot (1819-1880)

His-story (History)

King Vikramaditya had many astrologers in his court. Of them, Mihira was an

intellectual giant and the most renowned. He was admired and held in great

reverence, not only by the King but also by his colleagues and the general

public. The King had a son and as per tradition, his chart was to be prepared

by the court astrologer (Raja-Jyotish). Both Mihira and other astrologers cast

the horoscope of the prince. While Mihira used the knowledge of the Vedic

Astrology tradition, other astrologers used different systems of calculation

and interpretation. In spite of different systems, they arrived at a common

opinion that the prince would have an anxious time at the age of 18. On the

nature of danger and the cause of death of the prince, they were not unanimous.

Others were of the opinion that his prince might lose his life due to the

injuries inflicted by an animal while hunting. But the most learned and wise

Varahamira who enjoyed the blessing of Lord Aditya, and had Divya Drishti and

Vaksiddhi predicted clearly and boldly that the prince would be killed by a

Varaha, i.e., a boar at a particular date and time!!

He also said that no human remedies could avert the danger and save him from the

jaws of death and this unpleasant incident could not be altered. Hesaid: "

AVASYAM ANJBOKTHVYAM KRITHAM KARMA SUBHASUBHAM", that the princecould not

survive even if all precautions would be taken. Years passed. The Prince was

maintaining robust health. His surroundings were well guarded even some months

prior to the eventual day. On the morning of the fated day, the King held a

Durbar. A huge crowed was anxiously awaiting. The King requested Varahamihira

to verify his calculations and confirm whether the fateful hour would be the

same 5:00 p.m. on that day as predicted previously. All had their own doubts,

because the king took every precaution. No wild boar or wild animal could have

any chance ofgaining access to the Prince’s palace which was very well

protected by a huge army of vigilant warriors. The Prince was asked to take his

seat in the seventh floor, and all the staircases were fully guarded. The King

was confident that his son was safe. So he asked Varahamihira how could his son

die from injuries, inflicted by a boar, when none would be allowed into the

palace and especially when no animal could enter at all. He again requested him

to reconsider deeply about his original prediction. The King also declared that

he would award the Emblem of the Royal Title " Varaha" to Mihira, if the

prediction would prove to be true because the King wanted to honour this

science.

Some minute’s passed - absolute silence prevailed. The whole crowd was eagerly

observing Mihira to hear his verdict. Varahamihira said that he was devoted to

Sun God and he is blessed with Vak-Siddhi. No mistakes could be committed.

Death from the injuries inflicted by a boar was predicted from the Prince’s

horoscope without any shadow of doubt. That was the penalty announced by the

planets in the chart according to Karma done by the Prince in his previous

birth. He repeated that the results of the past cruel Karma speak out through

the planetary position atthe time of birth.

Therefore one should be prepared for the worst in spite of all possibleefforts

to hoodwink destiny. People, who gathered there, were confident that nothing

could happen in such a strictly guarded palace. At frequent intervals a warrior

was asked to given information about the Prince’s health. Reports that he was

hale and healthy were received all right regularly. At 5 p.m. one warrior

reported that the Prince was all right and the place was peaceful. Sometime

later another soldier brought the same news. But Varahamihira did not agree. He

calmly said to the King that the Prince had died at the stipulated time and it

would be advisable if they would verify. The King kept quiet. Another soldier,

after some time, came and there was no disturbance at all.

The King began to doubt the prediction, and again said to Mihira whether there

could be any mistake in his calculation. Mihira reiterated that he was dead at

the moment he predicted. He further mentioned boldly that the Prince was lying

dead in a pool of blood; probably the watchmen and the companions might not

have noticed it. He suggested and persuaded the King to go and see for himself.

The King with some important officers went up the stairs, one after the other.

The King reached the 7th floor. The companions of the Prince were deeply

absorbed in playing games and did not notice the arrival of the King. On

enquiry the King understood that the Prince had been playing with them all

along and that only a little while ago, he had gone out to the adjacent open

terrace. All quickly stepped into the open terrace. Oh God! What a horror! To

their great grief, the Prince was lying dead in a pool of blood. They found

that the tusk of a stuffed boar had gored his body.

Thus God’s will, according to the Karma of the Prince fructified, as indicated

by the planets, without being averted by the efforts of the King and his

subjects. Therefore all events in our life are beyond our control and we have

to submit ourselves quietly and suffer the consequences of our previous

Karma....".

His Works

Mihira received the Royal title and is known as Varahamihira. He has authored

some great classics. Varahamihira is the author of some of the most

enlightening titles of Jyotish including the Brihat Jataka and Brihat Samhita.

Harihara (author of Prasna Marga) says that one with the Garland of

Varahamihira (and Krishneeyam & Dasadhyayi (Varahamihira for Mundane astrology

& horoscopy, Krishneeyam for Prasna and Dasadhyayi for timing events) is sure

to become an excellent Jyotish. We have named the classes after him with the

hope that some day the best of Jyotisha shall be from SJVC.

Suggested reading

1. ‘Karma & free will’ –article by Sanjay Rath with forward by Das

Goravani.

2. Srimad Bhagavad Gita –translation by Srila Prabhupada

3. Related Hindu philosophical literature like Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

etc.

To Do

1. Maintain a Spiritual file. Keep a sketch of the lives of great souls in

your spiritual diary along with their horoscopes (if available). Add important

Mantra and principles they have taught or the lessons they have exemplified in

their lives.

2. Maintain a spiritual diary. Simply list (a) good deed and (b) bad deeds

of the day. At the end of the list write a prayer or small message to God (in

whichever form/name you believe) to forgive your errors and to use your hand

for more good work. Note the Mantras you have done on the particular day and

the number of rosaries of each (108 beads rosary).

OM TAT SAT